Seasonal Abundance and Age Composition of Two Populations of Culex Annulirostris (Diptera: Culicidae) at Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

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Abstract
Culex annulirostris mosquitoes were collected with dry-ice-baited traps in 2 areas in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, at 2-wk intervals for 2 years and scored for age composition. The species was recorded throughout the year at both sites, although greatest abundance occurred at midyear, following the end of the wet season. Monthly age composition varied between and within the sites. The oldest females (5-parous) were found at Casuarina. Mean proportion parous was similar at both sites (0.45 and 0.44); mean survival rates estimated from the proportion parous were also similar (0.83 and 0.82). However, survival to older age groups appeared to be lower at Leanyer. Females old enough to transmit Murray Valley encephalitis virus and Ross River virus were recorded more frequently at Casuarina than at Leanyer and averaged 13.5 and 8.0%, respectively, of the total collections. Such females were present during most months of the year.