Blood hosts of Aedes albopictus in the United States.

Bloodfed Aedes albopictus were collected during 1989-91 by vacuum aspirator from rural and urban study sites in Missouri, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, and Louisiana. Blood hosts identified by ELISA and precipitin tests were rabbit (n = 91), Rattus sp. (n = 69), dog (n = 14), unidentified mammal (n = 14), cow (n = 13), human (n = 10), deer (n = 10), sciurid (n = 7), turtle (n = 5), murid other than Rattus sp. (n = 4), raccoon (n = 3), passeriform bird (n = 3), and cat (n = 2). As an opportunistic bloodfeeder, Ae. albopictus may be a potential vector of domestic arboviruses and a nuisance pest where infestations occur.