DETECTION OF MULTIPLE BLOODFEEDING IN CULISETA-MELANURA USING A HISTOLOGIC TECHNIQUE

We used a histologic technique to detect multiple bloodfeeding in a si ngle gonotrophic cycle by Culiseta melanura. In a laboratory study wit h colonized mosquitoes, 77% (10/13) of known multiple meals were detec ted when the interval between meals was 24-30 h. Outside that range, k nown multiple meals were undetectable with this method. No multiple bl ood meals were detected in 653 wild engorged mosquitoes collected duri ng 3 consecutive years from the Pocomoke Swamp in Maryland. Although p revious studies have shown that Cs. melanura will feed twice in the sa me evening, it rarely, if ever, takes multiple blood meals at 24-h int ervals. Our study also indicates that a thorough laboratory standardiz ation is required prior to application of the histologic technique to species for which it has not been studied. This would include a time-s eries analysis to define species-specific limits for detecting known m ultiple meals.