The vector competence of Culex annulirostris, Aedes sagax and Aedes alboannulatus for Murray Valley encephalitis virus at different temperatures

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Abstract
Culex annulirostris Skuse, colonized from Brisbane. Queensland, and Mildura, Victoria, Australia, were effective vectors of Murray Valley encephalitis virus at 20, 27 and 32–35oC with full extrinsic-incubation periods of 15, 10 and 4 days respectively. At 20oC, 7–11 days post-infection, transmission by the Mildura colony (0–20%) was less efficient than the Brisbane colony (30–70%) but both were capable of 75–100% transmission after longer extrinsic incubation periods. Discriminant analysis of body and salivary gland titres showed that these were not satisfactory indicators of transmission. Wild-caught Aedes sagax (Skuse) and Cx annulirostris from the Murray Valley showed equal competence, but Aedes alboannulatus (Macquart) was a poor vector. The results provide data on rural amplification of Murray Valley encephalitis virus during spring and suggest that further work on the potential of A e. sagax as a natural vector is warranted.