Toward the incrimination of epidemic vectors of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus in Massachusetts: Abundance of mosquito populations at epidemic foci

Putative epidemic/epizootic eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEE) ve ctor populations were compared at 15 recent (1982-90) human and horse case sites in Bristol and Plymouth counties in southeastern Massachusetts. Carbo n dioxide-baited American Biophysics Corporation light traps were used for trapping adult mosquitoes to estimate biting risk in these foci of known tr ansmission. Population data suggest that Coquillettidia perturbans, Aedes c anadensis, and Culex salinarius are more likely vectors of EEE in Massachus etts than Aedes vexans, Anopheles punctipennis, and Anopheles quadrimaculat us.