A study of adult mosquitoes was performed from April 1995 to March 1996 in the Atlantic Forest near to Morretes city, Paraná, Brazil. The research was carried out by using two CDC-M light traps installed in different vertical stratification levels. Mosquitoes were collected monthly throughout the year from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., with total work hours of 144. A number of 1,408 specimens of mosquitoes was obtained (409 at canopy level and 999 near the ground), belonging to 10 genera and 31 species. Anopheles cruzii and Culex ribeirensis were predominant and are the main subjects of the present study. Difference was not observed between the traps for Anopheles cruzii. However, the higher number of Culex ribeirensis was collected in CDC-M/ground. According to time intervals, Anopheles cruzii showed peaks in the early hours of the night, and decreased progressively until dawn, without a secondary peak. As for the monthly distribution, Anopheles cruzii was more frequent in April and May 1995 and March 1996. Correlations between specimens and temperature or rainfall were not significant. The flight activity of Culex ribeirensis was more intense from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m., but significant peaks were not observed. The monthly distribution of Culex ribeirensis showed peaks in December and January. Significant correlation of this culicine was found for temperature and rainfall. First records for Paraná State: Ochlerotatus rhyacophilus, Culex misionensis, Culex pedroi, Culex ribeirensis and Culex zeteki.
Ecology; light trap; surveillance
