Vector competence of Aedes aegypti, Culex sitiens, Culex annulirostris, and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera : Culiciclae) for Barmah Forest virus

Aedes aegypti (L.), Culex sitiens Weidemann, Culex annulirostris Skuse, and Culex quinquefasciatus Sap mosquitoes colonized at the Queensland Institut e of Medical Research, Brisbane Australia, were fed on blood containing Bar mah Forest virus (BF). Only Cx. annulirostris was susceptible to infection, with a median cell culture infectious dose (CCID50) of 10(3.36) Der mosqui to. Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus were infected experimentally, but at rates of <9%. Cx. sitiens did not become infected. Infection rates for C x. annulirostris fed 10(35) CCID50 of virus per mosquito, varied from 9 to 50% between 2, and 13 d after infection. Virus transmission to suckling mic e Ly Cx. annulirostris occurred from 2 d after infection. Transmission of B F virus LS Cx. annulirostris was 10% at 2 d after infection and did not exc eed 8% thereafter. Although Cx.. annulirostris may be infected and is able to transmit BF virus to suckling mice, it is nonetheless a relatively ineff icient vector of the virus.