Transmission studies of a European Sindbis virus in the floodwater mosquito Aedes vexans (Diptera: Culicidae).

Sindbis viruses are arthropod-borne viruses, which are maintained in nature in a Culex mosquito-bird associated transmission cycle, but Aedes species have been suspected as playing a role in infecting humans. In this study, we addressed the question whether or not Germany's most abundant floodwater mosquito species Aedes vexans (Diptera, Culicidae) can serve as an efficient vector for Sindbis viruses. Firstly, the overall susceptibility of Ae.