Culex quinquefasciatus is known to be an efficient insect host of
Wuchereria bancrofti. In Brazil Cx.quinquefasciatus is widely distributed
throughout the country and is often abundant in and around human
habitations. In contrast, Bancroftian filariasis is limited to three foci
in Brazil. Experiments were undertaken to compare the vector capacities of
Cx.quinquefasciatus originating from Maceio (Alagoas), one of the endemic
areas of W.bancrofti infection in Brazil, and Belo Horizonte (Minas
Gerais), a non endemic area. Laboratory-reared Cx.quinquefasciatus were
dissected 20 days after blood feeding on microfilaraemic patients. Survival
rates and the number of infective larvae that developed did not differ in
female mosquitoes of different origins. Thus both populations of Culex
were susceptible to infection with W. bancrofti.
