STUDY OF FLYING HEIGHT OF CULICID SPECIES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

The vertical distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) was evaluated in Paju County in northern South Korea by using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) miniature light traps with ultraviolet light and dry ice (CO2) as attractants. CDC traps were placed at 1, 3, and 5 m above the ground near rice paddies in a relatively open agricultural area. Traps were hung on two scaffold towers (6 m height) spaced approximately 300 m apart. Each trap operated 9 nights from August 3 to 16, 2002, and collected 9,971 mosquitoes: Aedes vexans nipponii, 145.2; Culex tritaeniorhynchus, 34.9; Anopheles sinensis, 21.3; and Culex pipiens, 17.3 female mosquitoes/trap/night. Average flight height was calculated from the total number of catches in both stations. Overall, Cx. pipiens (2.52 ± 0.35 m) was found to be the highest flying species followed by An. sinensis (2.04 ± 0.79 m), Ae. vexans nipponii (1.96 ± 0.44 m), and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (1.76 ± 0.68 m), respectively. Although no significant difference in flying height among species was encountered, every species showed their own flight preference range, matching with their host preference.