Comparison of the vector potential of different mosquito species for the transmission of heartworm, D irofilaria immitis , in rural and urban areas in and surrounding S tillwater, O klahoma, U.S.A

• Published in: Medical and veterinary entomology 2014-08, Vol.28 (S1), p.60-67
• Main Authors: PARAS, K. L., O'BRIEN, V. A., REISKIND, M. H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0269-283X; 1365-2915
• DOI: 10.1111/mve.12069

Dirofilaria immitis L eidy (Spirurida: Onchocercidae), or heartworm, is a mosquito‐borne nematode that causes a fatal disease in carnivores. Although infection is preventable through prophylactic drugs, compliance and the spectre of resistance suggest vector control is a viable alternative. There were two main objectives in this study: (a) to evaluate the relationships between landscape and social factors and the number and species of heartworm‐positive mosquitoes, with a specific focus on the importance of the invasive A sian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus ( S kuse) ( Stegomyia albopicta ) (Diptera: Culicidae), and (b) to test the hypothesis that dog heartworm is more prevalent in suburban than in rural areas. To achieve these objectives, mosquitoes were collected from M ay to N ovember 2010 at 16 rural and 16 urban locations in P ayne C ounty, O klahoma, U.S.A. using three trapping methods that utilized, respectively, resting boxes, carbon dioxide traps and BG Sentinel traps. Urban areas showed greater numbers of Ae. albopictus and a higher overall likelihood of infection with D. immitis . Because many species of mosquito are responsible for heartworm transmission, current prophylactic treatment remains the best method of controlling this parasite.