We here report the results of field trials carried out in Rome with the aim to obtain data on the feeding behaviour of Aedes albopictus, in relation to different availability and abundance of putative hosts. Human Blood Index values were found higher than 75% in urban areas, where humans represented the most abundant hosts, and lower than 60% in rural areas, where host alternative to humans were frequent. The overall results confirm the generalist feeding-behaviour shown by this species in its original range of distribution and highlighting its high potential as vector of human pathogens in urban areas of Italy.
Blood-feeding preferences of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in urban and rural settings within the province of Rome, Italy / L., Valerio; Marini, Francesca; G., Bongiorno; L., Facchinelli; Pombi, Marco; Caputo, Beniamino; M., Maroli; A., Della Torre. - In: PARASSITOLOGIA. - ISSN 0048-2951. - 50:1-2(2008), pp. 103-104. (Intervento presentato al convegno . XXV Congresso Nazionale Società Italiana Parassitologia tenutosi a Pisa, Italia nel 18-21 Giu 2008).
Blood-feeding preferences of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in urban and rural settings within the province of Rome, Italy.
MARINI, FRANCESCA;POMBI, MARCO;CAPUTO, BENIAMINO;
2008
Abstract
We here report the results of field trials carried out in Rome with the aim to obtain data on the feeding behaviour of Aedes albopictus, in relation to different availability and abundance of putative hosts. Human Blood Index values were found higher than 75% in urban areas, where humans represented the most abundant hosts, and lower than 60% in rural areas, where host alternative to humans were frequent. The overall results confirm the generalist feeding-behaviour shown by this species in its original range of distribution and highlighting its high potential as vector of human pathogens in urban areas of Italy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
