Seasonal incidence and diel oviposition periodicity of Haemagogus mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Trinidad, W.I. Part III. Haemagogus celeste (Dyar and Nunez Tovar) and Haemagogus leucocelaenus (Dyar and Shannon)

Abstract

The seasonal incidence and diel oviposition patterns of sylvan Haemagogus celeste and Hg. leucocelaenus in the Pt. Gourde Forest, Trinidad, were monitored weekly for 53 consecutive weeks using conventional ovitraps. During the dry season peak oviposition by Hg. celeste occurred between 10.00 and 12.00 hours, and that by Hg. leucocelaenus between 12.00 and 14.00 hours; during the wet season peak oviposition by both species occurred between 12.00 and 14.00 hours. Diurnal patterns of oviposition were observed for both species during the wet and dry seasons. The numbers of ovipositions and of eggs laid during the wet season were, for both species, significantly higher (P > 0·001) than those observed during the dry season.