Ecology of California encephalitis viruses on the Del Mar Va Peninsula. I. Virus isolations from mosquitoes

The ecology of California encephalitis viruses was studied on the Del Mar Va Peninsula. Adult mosquitoes were collected weekly from May to October of 1971 and monthly from May to October of 1972, using miniature light traps with Dry Ice. Floodwater mosquitoes were assayed for virus in suckling mice or cell cultures. In 1971 over 77,000 mosquitoes were processed, resulting in 33 virus isolations. In 1972, over 106,000 were processed and 63 virus strains were recovered. Of the 1971 strains, all but one were recovered from Aedes atlanticus mosquitoes, and of the 1972 strains all but two were recovered from A. atlanticus. All A. atlanticus strains were neutralized by Keystone virus mouse hyperimmune ascitic fluid (MHAF). All other strains were recovered from A. canadensis mosquitoes. The single 1971 strain, and one strain from 1972, were neutralized by Jamestown Canyon MHAF. The remaining strain was neutralized by Keystone MHAF. The rate of virus recovery from A. atlanticus remained approximately the same, both between years and during each year studied, even during periods when large numbers of adults were emerging, suggesting that these mosquitoes had emerged infected.