Seasonal and vertical distribution of ovipositing Haemagogus mosquitoes in Trinidad

ABSTRACT

Ovitraps and bamboo pots were used to monitor the seasonal and vertical distribution of ovipositing female Haemagogus mosquitoes in the Moruga forest, south Trinidad. Over a one-year period 12,499 eggs were recovered in all months of the year, but the majority were collected in the rainy season. Peak collections were made in the early part of the rainy season. Haemagogus larvae were not collected in January and February, but thereafter there was a steady increase in collections reaching a peak in September with 390. The mean number of eggs oviposited per positive trap per month was 25.82. Of the 12,499 eggs collected 29.94 percent hatched to either Hg. janthinomys or Hg. leucocelaenus. Both species of eggs were found in traps placed throughout the vertical at two tree stations in 1979 (AU)