Kurucz N

Whelan PI

Carter JM

Jacups SP

McDonnell J

2010-03

A coastal wetland with important larval habitats for Aedes vigilax (Skuse), the northern salt marsh mosquito is located adjacent to the northern suburbs of Darwin. This species is a vector for Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus, as well as an appreciable human pest. To improve aerial larval control, we identified the most important vegetation categories and climatic/seasonal aspects associated with aerial control operations in this wetland after inundation with tide, rain and tide and rain combined. The analyses showed that the Schoenoplectus/mangrove areas require most of the control after inundation by tide only (30.1%), and also extensive control when tides and rain are coinciding (18.2%). Tide-affected reticulate vegetation requires extensive control after inundation by rain only (44.7%), and when tide and rain inundation coincide (38.0%). The analyses further showed that most of the control needs to be carried out between September and January, with a control peak in November and December. To maximise the efficiency of aerial salt marsh mosquito control operations in northern Australia, aerial control efforts should concentrate on Schoenoplectus/mangrove and tide-affected reticulate areas, especially between September and January.

1440-883X

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/430

Medical Entomology DHF

The Northern Territory Disease Control Bulletin

Vol. 17, No. 1

Darwin

Mosquitoes

Insects

Disease vectors

Vector control

Insecticides

Surveys

Plants

Arboviruses

Ross River virus infections

Encephalitis

Urban

Public health

Meteorological factors

Medical Entomology

Salt marsh mosquito larval control in Leanyer coastal wetland, Northern Territory

Bulletin

Publication