Dry-ice trap and human bait collection of mosquitoes in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

Host-seeking mosquitoes were collected by CDC-type traps enhanced with 1 kg of dry-ice and human bait collection in August 2003 and August 2004 at 6 localities along the coastal region of the eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan. A total of 10 species in 5 genera was encountered, and Culex pipiens s. l. and subarctic aedine mosquitoes were abundant. The mosquito fauna was compared between localities and among collection sites with different vegetation type. The species composition of mosquito samples differed greatly between localities. There was a clear relationship between species composition and vegetation type in Kushiro, suggesting a species-specific habitat selection among the 4 dominant species; Cx. pipiens s. l., Aedes esoensis, Culiseta nipponica and Ae. yamadai. The potential vectors of the West Nile virus in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan, were discussed based on the results of our mosquito collections.