Host preferences of Deinocerites pseudes Dyar and Knab

Identification of blood meals was determined for 408 Deinocenites mosquitoes by the microplate precipitin method. Over 99% of the blood meals were assumed to be from Deinocerites pseudes Dyar & Knab on the basis of species identification of males in the collection; 82.5% of the feedings identified were mammalian, 10.9% avian, and 6.6% either reptilian or amphibian. Comparison of blood meals from 3 closely related areas within one collecting site supported the hypothesis that D. pseudes has opportunistic host preferences.