The response of Culicidae to visual stimuli

Browne, Shelley Marie (1979) The response of Culicidae to visual stimuli. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Response of Culicidae to visual stjmuli of various colours and shapes was studied in the Tintamirre National Wildlife Area, New Brunswick, in 1977 and 1978. Culicidae were collected from three-dimensional, cube-shaped, funnel target traps of five different colours. The collections indicated a differential preference for the five colours. Aedines and Mansonia perturbans preferred black, red and blue as the most attractive colours, while yellow and white were consistently unattractive. M. perturbans showed substantial colour differentiation in the day and night time collections. The percent luminous reflectance of the light reflected from each colour-stimulus target was inversely proportional to the numbers of Culicidae trapped in the target (i.e. a decrease in the luminous reflectance, the more mosquitoes collected). This trend was fairly consistent throughout 1977 and 1978 but discrepancies did occur. -- M. perturbans landed in greater numbers of filters transmitting wave-lengths of 480-600 nm and 400-480 nm. A secondary response occurred to 300-400 nm. Low numbers landed on 620 nm and all longer wavelengths. -- Four species of Aedes and M. perturbans were shown to respond in greater numbers to cube targets than pyramids while A. punctor was collected in greater numbers from pyramids. While no species were taken exclusively at any of the levels, most mosquitoes were collected in cube and pyramid targets exposed at the 122 and 183 cm levels. Aedines and M. perturbans differentially selected the end or projecting parts of the rectangular (oblong) targets. Few numbers were collected from the center portion. -- Recommendations for further studies are discussed as well as suggested for the application of these findings for personal protection against mosquitoes.

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