New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Mosquitoes of Rarotonga, Cook
Islands: a survey of breeding sites
E. C. Young
School
of Biological
Science
University
of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland
1142,
New Zealand
Address for correspondence:
3 Mana Heights,
Marybank, Nelson.
euany@xtra.co.nz
Abstract Two surveys of Rarotonga,
Cook Islands (21°20′S, 160°16′W) were
made to determine
the mosquito fauna of the island, and to identify the habitats required
for
breeding by searching for larvae. The first survey was made during the
“dry
season” in May 2001, the second during the “wet season” in February
2002. The
mosquito fauna comprised four species Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus
Say, Culex (Culex) annulirostris Skuse, Aedes
(Stegomyia)
aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedes (Stegomyia) polynesiensis
Marks. Larvae of the Culex species were most often found in
larger
natural and artificial water bodies. The Aedes species bred in
both
natural and artificial containers of all sizes. Ae. polynesiensis
was
the most widespread species, using natural holes in all regions as well
as
artificial containers in the urban areas. Most larvae of Ae.
aegypti
were located in small artificial containers. The two Aedes
species are
the vectors of dengue fever on the island. Mosquito control during
outbreaks
should specifically target the artificial containers preferred by Aedes
sp. for breeding habitats.
New Zealand
Journal of Zoology, 2007, Vol. 34: 57–61
0301–4223/07/3401–0057 © The Royal Society
of New Zealand
2007
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