Influence of Defensive Behavior of Eastern Chipmunks and Gray Squirrels (Rodentia: Sciuridae) on Feeding Success of Aedes Triseriatus (Diptera: Culicidae)1

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Abstract
The defensive behavior of Eastern Chipmunks, Tamias striatus, and Gray Squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis, against the mosquito Aedes Triseriatus was studied under large-cage conditions. Both rodent species had broad defensive behavior repertoires, but only a subset of these behaviors was effective in preventing mosquito feeding. Frequency of defensive behavior increased with increasing mosquito density during experiments, but at a lower rate than predicted by a linear model. In general, Eastern Chipmunks were tolerant of mosquito feeding whereas Gray Squirrels were not, although mosquito feeding success on both host species tended to decrease as mosquito density increased. Few mosquitoes were killed by these day-active rodents, and none were ingested. Estimated attraction rates of Ae. triseriatus under field conditions allowed the prediction that mosquito feeding success would be high on chipmunks but lower on squirrels. The significance of these results to transmission of La Crosse virus is discussed.