Aedes albifasciatus is an important common mosquito in Central
Argentina. It is a confirmed vector of the Western Equine
Encephalitis and is responsible for loss of milk production in
dairy cattle during peak populations. This paper reports the
flight activity pattern of Ae. albifasciatus for different
seasons, in the southern coast of the Mar Chiquita Lake
(central Argentina). Data were collected by sampling two sites
between 1992 and 1993 with CDC traps and human-bait captures.
Adult mosquito population density, estimated by CDC trapping
and human-bait, were highly correlated. However, when compared
to other species, the proportion of Ae. albifasciatus was
higher in human-bait collections. Adult female populations
were active only when temperature were higher than 6 C. Two
daily biting peaks were observed (dusk and dawn) during the
spring, summer and autumn, and only one peak during winter
(around 15:00 pm). Adult abundance was significantly
correlated (R2=0.71; p{0.01) with temperature and
illumination.
