Mosquito Engorgement on Normally Defensive Hosts Depends on Host Activity Patterns1

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Abstract
Adult mosquitoes of 5 species (Aedes aegypti, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, Anopheles stephensi, Culex nigripalpus and Culex quinquefasciatus) were offered hosts of 4 species (Mus musculus var. albino and wild, Peromyscus maniculatus, laboratory strain of the Golden Hamster, and chicken) at peak feeding periods for the individual mosquito species. Blood-feeding success on restrained and unrestrained hosts was monitored. Mosquito mortality was also recorded in each of the unrestrained host tests. Similarly, blood-feeding success of 3 strains of Cx. nigripalpus (field caught, P1, and colonized) exposed to the above vertebrates was monitored. Mosquitoes fed most readily on animals that were inactive during the primary flight periods. For example, Cx. quinquefasciatus fed on chicks (inactive during the nocturnal feeding period of this mosquito) but not on rodents (active at night). Vertebrates whose activity periods coincided with mosquito flight periods tended to inflict high mortality on host-seeking mosquitoes. All 3 strains of Cx. nigripalpus showed similar blood-feeding behavior. However, the colonized strain was more likely to be captured and eaten by active host animals.

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