Relative abundance of tree hole-breeding mosquitoes in Boone County, Missouri, USA, with emphasis on the vector potential of Aedes triseriatus for canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis (Spirurida: Filariidae)

Abstract

Aedes (Protomacleaya) triseriatus currently shares its habitat in the USA with the introduced species Aedes (Finlaya) japonicus and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus. In the late 1980s, before the introduction of these 2 species, Ae. triseriatus was the dominant tree hole- and artificial container-breeding mosquito in central Missouri. Aedes triseriatus represented 89% of the mosquito immatures collected from water-filled tree holes and artificial containers at 3 forested field sites in central Missouri, from May to October, 1986 to 1988. Laboratory-reared female Ae. triseriatus were able to support larval development of Dirofilaria immitis (canine heartworm) to the infective 3rd larval stage. A blood meal from a microfilaremic Collie-mix dog was sufficient to infect adult female mosquitoes, indicating that Ae. triseriatus is a possible vector of canine heartworm in central Missouri. Confirmation of the vector status of this species depends on the yet-to-be observed transmission of D. immitis by Ae. triseriatus in the field, possibly by experimental infection of dogs by wild-caught mosquitoes. Defining the role of this species in epizootic outbreaks could contribute toward accurate risk assessment as the abundance of Ae. triseriatus increases and decreases in response to the success of Ae. albopictus, Ae. japonicus, or other introduced container-breeding mosquitoes.