Notes on the Occurrence of Abnormal Thoracic and Abdominal Banding in Culex territans Larvae (Diptera: Culicidae).

Pale-banded variants of Culex territans Walker larvae were found in southern New Jersey in 2016 and in subsequent years. The larvae lacked pigmentation on the prothoracic and mesothoracic segments as well as on abdominal segment (IV). The amount of pigmentation varied between populations. Specimens were found in six locations within a 5-yr period; of which, two locations recurred within the same season and in subsequent seasons. This is the first report in the State of New Jersey despite extensive larval surveillance over many years among the study area.

Comparative Efficacy of Pimephales promelas, Fundulus diaphanus, and Gambusia affinis and Influence of Prey Density for Biological Control of Culex pipiens molestus Larvae.

Larval survival times and density-dependent feeding behavior were evaluated with the use of 2 species of fish native to the northeastern USA (Pimephales promelas and Fundulus diaphanus), and the potentially invasive Gambusia affinis. Each species was provided 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 4th-stage larvae of Culex pipiens molestus/fish in the laboratory and digital images were recorded to quantify the number of surviving larvae at various intervals. Daily feeding rates were greatest at the highest larval density. These were 49.69 ± 4.07 larvae for P. promelas, 60 larvae for F. diaphanus, and 36.44 ± 6.6 larvae for G. affinis. Survival analysis was used to compare efficacy of each fish species over time. All fish species consumed larvae at similar rates at lower densities, but significant differences occurred at densities of 30-60 larvae/fish. Survival times of larvae at the highest density were 44 ± 7.9 h for P. promelas, 15 ± 3.4 h for F. diaphanus, and 70.6 ±13 h for G. affinis. In order to evaluate feeding rate as a function of prey density, we compared consumption rates 1.5 h after feeding with the use of a 4-parameter logistic model. Fundulus diaphanus and G. affinis feeding aligned with the 4-parameter model, indicating that initial feeding rates for these species increased with prey density to an upper limit (satiation). Pimephales promelas feeding within 1.5 h did not align with this model, suggesting that early feeding rates for this species are not heavily influenced by prey density.

Species Composition and Seasonal Distribution of Mosquito Larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) in Southern New Jersey, Burlington County.

A total of 36,495 larvae consisting of 45 species from 11 genera were collected from 7,189 sites from southern New Jersey, Burlington County between the months of March and October, 2001-2014. Density and seasonal distribution were determined among natural and artificial habitat. The most dominant species collected from natural habitat was Aedes vexans (Meigen) followed by Ochlerotatus canadensis canadensis (Theobald), Culex restuans Theobald, Culex pipiens L., and Culex territans Walker. The most dominant species collected from artificial habitat was Aedes albopictus (Skuse) followed by Ochlerotatus japonicus japonicus (Theobald), Cx. restuans, Cx. pipiens, and Ochlerotatus triseriatus (Say). Cx. restuans and Cx. pipiens were the only species categorized as dominant among both natural and artificial habitat and comprised greater than half the total density. Sympatry was common among dominant species from artificial habitat where a significant percentage of the total collection contained multiple species. The most common types of natural habitats were forested depressions and stream flood plains whereas rimless vehicle tires and various plastic containers were the most common artificial habitats. The pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea L. was the only habitat exclusive to one species.

Morphological variants of Aedes aegypti collected from the Leeward Island of Antigua.

Nineteen Aedes aegypti larvae were collected in rural Antigua, West Indies, from an 18-liter plastic bucket. The location was in a rural area at the northern end of Antigua bordering the coast of Dickenson Bay and approximately 50 m south of Halcyon Cove Beach (17 degrees 09'42.54"N, 61 degrees 50'44.50"W; elevation 16 m). Atypical morphology was noted in larvae and 3 reared adult females. Fourth instars showed a reduction in length of the lateral hair on the saddle (seta 1-X) with measurements ranging from 0.36 to 0.57 the length of the saddle. Two atypical female specimens displayed an abundance of dull white to gold scales that blanketed the abdomen. A 3rd specimen bore fine, golden scales on the mesonotum and bronze scales on the vertices of the head. These adult specimens demonstrated morphological characteristics that closely parallel described mutations, although the genetic basis for these characters was not confirmed. The remaining adults in the collection were morphologically typical. Adults and larvae were compared to field populations from Florida, Bahamas, and Antigua, as well as to the Rockefeller strain maintained at Rutgers University.

Checklist of the mosquitoes of the Bahamas with three additions to its fauna and keys to the adult females and fourth instars.

This up-to-date checklist of the mosquitoes of the Bahamas includes 8 genera and 34 species. Three species new to the Bahamas are Culex chidesteri, Culex bisulcatus, and Psorophora insularia. The status of Culex antillummagnorum in the Bahamas is discussed. Keys to the adult females and fourth-stage larvae are given.