Estudos sobre a biologia e hábitos alimentares de Culex quinquefasciatus Say de Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil

Abstract

A study was made of Culex quinquefasciatus Say a potential vector of urban filariasis in Manaus Amazonas. Catches were made of the biting and resting populations. The stages of ovarian development and parity were determined by examination of the external appearence of the abdomen and dissection for ovariole dilations. Most females appeared to rest after oviposition before returning to feed. Biting took place inside houses with peaks at dusk and around midnight. Daily mortality was similar to that In areas where transmission of filariasis occurs. Resting trap catches indicated that there was little fluctuation in numbers throughought the year and analysis of 274 blood meals demonstrated that man was the preferred host.