Key to the Adult Females of Species of Culex Subgenus Melanoconion in Florida, USA

Nathan D Burkett-Cadena; Erik M Blosser; Lawrence E Reeves

doi:10.2987/22-7081

Key to the Adult Females of Species of Culex Subgenus Melanoconion in Florida, USA

J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2022 Sep 1;38(3):130-140. doi: 10.2987/22-7081.

Authors

Nathan D Burkett-Cadena¹, Erik M Blosser¹, Lawrence E Reeves¹

Affiliation

¹ Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida IFAS, 200 9th Street SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962.

PMID: 35939851
DOI: 10.2987/22-7081

Abstract

The subgenus Melanoconion of Culex is a diverse and taxonomically challenging group of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) endemic to the American tropics, with a few species occurring in temperate regions. With the introduction and establishment of Culex (Melanoconion) panocossa in southern Florida, the existing taxonomic resources for identifying species of Melanoconion in Florida need updating. Here we provide an up-to-date photographic key for identifying females of Culex (Melanoconion) spp. known to occur in Florida, USA, and summarize relevant literature on the biology of each species. Given the challenge of identifying members of subgenus Melanoconion, updated resources for identifying females of this medically important group are warranted. The keys, photographs, and summarized biological information in this report should facilitate research, surveillance, and decisions regarding control.

Keywords: Melanoconion; Dichotomous key; Florida; taxonomy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Culex*
Female
Florida / epidemiology