Host-Feeding Patterns of Anopheles Freeborni in the Sacramento Valley, California1

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Abstract
The host-feeding pattern of Anopheles freeborni was studied in the Sacramento Valley, California. A total of 1124 blood meals were tested, and the results indicated that this mosquito fed almost exclusively on mammals, with a strong preference for rabbits (45.1%). Depending upon the availability of rabbits in any study area, the percentage of feeding on rabbits ranged from 83.2% in rice field areas to 13.3% in the foothill area on the western side of the Sacramento Valley. Other common hosts included bovine (21.3%), horse (16.3%), and dog (10.8%). Although this mosquito was considered a primary malaria vector in the Western United States in the past, feeding on man was extremely low (<1.0%). No multiple host feedings were detected.