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. 2002 Dec;8(12):1385-91.
doi: 10.3201/eid0812.020536.

Vector competence of California mosquitoes for West Nile virus

Laura B Goddard  1 , Amy E Roth, William K Reisen, Thomas W Scott
Affiliations

Vector competence of California mosquitoes for West Nile virus

Laura B Goddard et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2002 Dec.

Erratum in

  • Emerg Infect Dis. 2003 Mar;9(3):406

Abstract

To identify the mosquito species competent for West Nile virus (WNV) transmission, we evaluated 10 California species that are known vectors of other arboviruses or major pests: Culex tarsalis, Cx. pipiens pipiens, Cx. p. quinquefasciatus, Cx. stigmatosoma, Cx. erythrothorax, Ochlerotatus dorsalis, Oc. melanimon, Oc. sierrensis, Aedes vexans, and Culiseta inornata. All 10 became infected and were able to transmit WNV at some level. Ochlerotatus, Culiseta, and Aedes were low to moderately efficient vectors. They feed primarily on mammals and could play a secondary role in transmission. Oc. sierrensis, a major pest species, and Cx. p. quinquefasciatus from southern California were the least efficient laboratory vectors. Cx. tarsalis, Cx. stigmatosoma, Cx. erythrothorax, and other populations of Cx. pipiens complex were the most efficient laboratory vectors. Culex species are likely to play the primary role in the enzootic maintenance and transmission of WNV in California.

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