Definition of Ross River virus vectors at Maroochy Shire, Australia

Evidence of Ross River (RR) virus infection in field-collected mosquitoes a nd data from laboratory vector competence experiments incriminated a range of mosquito species as important vectors of RR virus in Maroochy Shire, Que ensland, Australia, Nine RR and 2 Barmah Forest virus isolates were recover ed from 27,529 mosquitoes collected in light traps from Maroochy Shire duri ng 1996. Nine of the 10 most abundant mosquito species collected in light t raps were fed on blood containing the B94/20 strain RR isolated. from Queen sland in 1994. All species except for Culex sitiens Wiedemann were suscepti ble to experimental infection. Evidence of RR virus transmission to mice wa s found with Aedes vigilax (Skuse), Aedes funereus (Theobald), Aedes procax (Skuse), Culex annulirostris Skuse, Mansonia uniformis (Theobald) and Cule x australicus Dobrotworsky & Drummond. Aedes notoscriptus (Skuse) and Aedes multiplex (Theobald) were susceptible to RR virus infection, although ther e was no evidence of virus transmission. Based on adult abundance and vecto r competence results, freshwater species such as Cx. annulirostris, Ae. pro cax, and Ae. funereus, and saltmarsh Ae. vigilax, appear to be important ve ctors of RR virus in Maroochy Shire and control programs should be revised to include these species.