| A survey was carried out to determine the species of mosquitoes that were breeding and host seeking in Oak Hammock Marsh. The abundance of raft laying species was also monitored using ovipools known to be attractive to Cx. tarsalis Coquillett, Cx. restuans Theobald and Cs. inornata.;Fourteen species were found to breed in the marsh during the 2 years of larval sampling; Cs. inornata, Ae. flavescens and Ae. vexans were the dominant species.;Ovarian parity was studied in females of several species collected in SSAM traps to determine the physiological age of the population.;A mosquito attraction study was conducted in which two bait animals, the domestic chicken and the mallard duck, were used. The experiment was later expanded to include an additional bait species, the yellow headed blackbird. In the earlier study, fifteen species of mosquitoes were attracted to each bait species; three species, Cx. tarsalis, Ms. perturbans and Ae. vexans, accounted for 80% of the catch. The blackbirds attracted 48% of the catch, and were most attractive to Cx. tarsalis. The duck and chicken baits attracted 35% and 11% of the catch respectively. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
