Parasitism of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) by larval mites (Acari: Parasitengona) in Adelaide, South Australia |
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| Authors: | Craig R Williams Heather C Proctor |
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| Affiliation: | ;School of Pharmaceutical, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. ;Australian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia. |
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| Abstract: | Larval mites (Acari) from the cohort Parasitengona were collected from adult female mosquitoes captured in Adelaide, South Australia, from 1997 to 2000. Larvae from three families were identified: Arrenuridae, Hydryphantidae and Erythraeidae. Arrenurid larvae were associated with mosquitoes that use ground pools for larval habitat, while hydryphantids were associated with tree-hole and container-breeding species. Only a single erythraeid record was made. The overall prevalence of parasitism was very low (0.27% of 19 280 mosquitoes) and ranged from 0 to 5.6% for the 16 mosquito species collected. New mite–host records are presented. |
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| Keywords: | Acari mosquitoes Parasitengona parasites South Australia |
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