Abstract

ROJAS-MOGOLLON, Marco Andrés et al. Culex quinquefasciatus (SAY, 1863) biting activity in Bogotá, Colombia. rev.fac.med. [online]. 2013, vol.61, n.3, pp.261-266. ISSN 0120-0011.

Summary Background. Culex quinquefasciatus is a nuisance for humans and animals, in the southern area of Bogotá, due to its high abundance. Objective. Characterize the abundance of these mosquitoes monthly and their activity during the night. Materials and Methods. Mosquitoes were collected using a Shannon trap, during one night each month, from December 2006 to May 2007 in two places located near mining excavation pits. These pits were flooded with water of the Tunjuelito river in 2002. Results. During the study, 18891 mosquitoes were collected. 99.93 % were identified as Culex quinquefasciatus. These mosquitoes were most abundant in March and April, the highest rainfall months. Two patterns of nocturnal activity were found: in one of them, a unique peak in the darkest hours was found, in an area of active mining. In the other area, located nearest to houses, mosquitoes showed two activity peaks. Conclusions. The difference in these two behavioral patterns could be explained by micro-environmental conditions such as light and the intensity of mining activity, but it could not be associated with the presence of rain.

Keywords : Culex; Colombia; Culicidae; Mosquito Control.

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