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Identification of Culex pipiens Complex Mosquitoes in a Hybrid Zone of West Nile Virus Transmission in Fresno County, California

Culex pipiens sensu lato mosquitoes were collected from 24 gravid traps (mid-June to mid-October, 2005) in Fresno County, CA. Captured gravid females were allowed to oviposit before sibling species identification by Ace.2 PCR and detection of West Nile virus (WNV) RNA by RT-PCR were performed on the mother and her offspring. Of the 442 Cx. pipiens s.l. female mosquitoes collected, 88 were positive for WNV viral RNA (peaked in August) with no significant differences among complex members or habitat. Vertical transmission was detected in 4 out of 20 families originating from WNV-positive mothers, however, in only a small number of offspring from each family. Out of 101 families that had PCR-based maternal and offspring identifications, the offspring from 15 families produced inexplicable amplicon patterns, suggesting ambiguities in the PCR assay identifications. Male genitalia (DV/D ratio) and Ace.2 PCR identifications revealed numerous discrepancies in our ability to accurately determine the identity of Cx. pipiens complex members in the hybrid zone of Fresno County.

Received May 9, 2007. Accepted for publication November 25, 2007.

Acknowledgments: We thank members of the general public for permitting collection of mosquitoes from their properties in Fresno County.

Financial support: This project was funded by the University of California Mosquito Research Program (NIH R21-A155564-01) and Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District. Mosquito testing for viral RNA was partially funded by the Pacific Southwest Regional Center for Excellence (U54 AI-65359).

^* Address correspondence to Rory D. McAbee, Mosquito Control Research Laboratory, 9240 S. Riverbend Avenue, Parlier, CA 93648. E-mail: rdmcabee{at}uckac.edu

Authors’ addresses: Rory D. McAbee, Julie Christiansen, Katherine Dealey, and Anthony J. Cornel, Department of Entomology, University of California at Davis, Mosquito Control Research Laboratory, Parlier, CA, and Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, University of California, Davis, CA, Telephone: +1 (559) 646-6581, Fax: +1 (559) 646-6593, E-mail: rdmcabee{at}uckac.edu. Emily N. Green and Aaron C. Brault, Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, University of California, Davis, CA, and Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, CA. Jodie Holeman, Niki Frye, and F. Steve Mulligan III, Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District, PO Box 278, Selma, CA 93662.

Reprint requests: Rory D. McAbee, Mosquito Control Research Laboratory, 9240 S. Riverbend Avenue Parlier, CA 93648, Telephone: +1 (559) 646-6581, Fax: +1 (559) 646-6593, E-mail: rdmcabee{at}uckac.edu.