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A reappraisal of the role of mosquitoes in the transmission of myxomatosis in Britain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

M. W. Service
M. W. Service
Affiliation:
The Nature Conservancy, Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon
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Summary

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Field experiments were made in southern England to re-examine the possibility that mosquitoes in Britain might feed on wild rabbits and hence be vectors of myxomatosis. Mosquitoes of several species were attracted to rabbits enclosed hi cylindrical traps and in a trap in which the animal was placed in a wire mesh cage. Substantial numbers of mosquitoes were also caught biting, or attempting to bite, tethered rabbits which were not in cages or traps. Evidence that mosquitoes fed on wild rabbits under natural conditions was obtained from results of precipitin tests made on blood-smears collected from mosquitoes caught resting amongst vegetation. On a few evenings mosquitoes were seen to be attracted to healthy wild rabbits and apparently attempting to feed on them. Batches of two mosquito species collected from the field were infected with myxoma virus.

It was concluded that contrary to previous beliefs mosquitoes in Britain feed to a certain extent on wild rabbits, and therefore are potential vectors of myxomatosis. No attempts were made to assess their relative importance in the transmission of the disease, which in Britain is transmitted mainly by the rabbit flea.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 69 , Issue 1 , March 1971 , pp. 105 - 111
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1971

References

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