Dispersal of adult females of Culex annulirostris in Griffith, New South Wales, Australia
O'Donnell, M.S.; Berry, G.; Carvan, T.; Bryan, J.H.
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 8(2): 159-165
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 8756-971X PMID: 1331320 Document Number: 402554
"The dispersal of Culex annulirostris, a major arbovirus vector in Australia, was studied in Griffith, N.S.W. using a mark-release-recapture technique. From an empirical model of dispersal, fitted to data on recaptured adults, the average distance dispersed was 6.8 km (95% c.l. 4.1-40.9 km), and 50% of the population dispersed 4.8 km or more. Maximum recorded dispersal was 8.7 km, and 2 individuals traveled more than 5 km in 1 day. The relevance of the findings to control strategy is discussed."The study was done to provide information for the planning of effective control measures against this mosquito. An epidemic of Ross River virus had occurred in Griffith in 1984, and control measures had been taken against Cx. annulirostris larvae within the urban area and a 5-km zone around it. Although the density of adult mosquitoes declined initially, the decline was not sustained and reinvasion was suspected. This study suggests that the "barrier zone" surrounding the town area of Griffith (or other areas with high densities of Cx. annulirostris) should in future be increased to at least 10 km.Carolyn A. Brown The dispersal of C. annulirostris, a major arbovirus vector in Australia, was studied in Griffith, New South Wales, using a mark-release-recapture technique. From an empirical model of dispersal fitted to data on recaptured adults, the average distance dispersed was 6.8 km (95% CL 4.1-40.9 km), and 50% of the population dispersed 4.8 km or more. Maximum recorded dispersal was 8.7 km, and 2 individuals travelled >5 km in 1 day. The relevance of the findings to control strategy is discussed.