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Studies on the feeding patterns of mosquitoes of the genera Ficalbia, Mimomyia and Uranotaenia in the Kisumu area of Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

P. F. L. Boreham
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology and Applied Entomology, Imperial College Field Station, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, England
J. A. Chandler
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council Project, P.O. Box 1971, Kisumu, Kenya
R. B. Highton
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council Project, P.O. Box 1971, Kisumu, Kenya

Abstract

A total of 167 blood-fed mosquitoes of the genera Ficalbia, Mimomyia and Uranotaenia was collected from the Kisumu area of Kenya using Monks Wood light-traps under the outside eaves of houses, CDC light-traps inside houses and sweep-net catches. Precipitin tests were used to obtain 72 positive identifications of the hosts, 89% of which were amphibia. M. mediolineata (Theo.) and M. splendens Theo. were shown to feed occasionally on man while U. balfouri Theo. and M. hispida (Theo.) were shown to feed on other mammals, including cattle. No identification was effected from a single F. uniformis (Theo.) specimen collected resting in vegetation. The medical importance of these mosquitoes is uncertain but, since there is evidence for several arboviruses in amphibia, further study of these potential vectors should be undertaken.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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