BLOOD HOSTS OF AEDES-ALBOPICTUS IN THE UNITED-STATES

Bloodfed Aedes albopictus were collected during 1989-91 by vacuum aspi rator from rural and urban study sites in Missouri, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, and Louisiana. Blood hosts identified by ELISA and precipiti n tests were rabbit (n = 91), Rattus sp. (n = 69), dog (n = 14), unide ntified mammal (n = 14), cow (n = 13), human (n = 10), deer (n = 10), sciurid (n = 7), turtle (n = 5), murid other than Rattus sp. (n = 4), raccoon (n = 3), passeriform bird (n = 3), and cat (n = 2). As an oppo rtunistic bloodfeeder, Ae. albopictus may be a potential vector of dom estic arboviruses and a nuisance pest where infestations occur.