RESUMEN
A chronological list of species based on date of publication is provided for confirmed mosquito species in West Virginia. Five additional newly found species in the state are documented with collection data. Two previously misidentified or mislabeled published records are corrected. The number of confirmed species occurring in the state is now 35, and many more species are likely present, but undetected. Significant populations of 4 widely distributed known vector species, Aedes albopictus , Ae. japonicus japonicus, Ae. triseriatus, and Culex pipiens , in West Virginia signal an urgent need for additional studies, surveillance, and increased mosquito control efforts to help prevent future native and invasive arbovirus infections and outbreaks in local residents.
Asunto(s)
Distribución Animal , Culicidae/fisiología , Animales , Biota , Culicidae/clasificación , West VirginiaRESUMEN
La Crosse virus (LACV), a leading cause of arboviral pediatric encephalitis in the United States, is emerging in Appalachia. Here, we report field and laboratory evidence that suggest LACV may be using Culex mosquitoes as additional vectors in this region. This bunyavirus was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in two pools of Culex mosquitoes in southwestern Virginia and in six pools in West Virginia. To assess vector competence, we offered LACV blood meals to field-collected Culex restuans Theobald, Cx. pipiens L., and Aedes triseriatus (Say). Both Culex species were susceptible to infection. LACV-positive salivary expectorate, indicative of the ability to transmit, was detected in a small proportion of Cx. restuans (9%) and Cx. pipiens (4%) compared with Ae. triseriatus (40%). In a companion study of Cx. restuans only, we found that adults derived from nutritionally stressed larvae were significantly more likely to disseminate and transmit LACV. Our results indicate a potential role of Culex spp. in LACV dynamics that should be explored further in endemic areas.
Asunto(s)
Culex/virología , Encefalitis de California/transmisión , Insectos Vectores/virología , Virus La Crosse/fisiología , Aedes/virología , Animales , Femenino , Vigilancia de la Población , ARN Viral/aislamiento & purificación , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa , Virginia , West VirginiaRESUMEN
La Crosse virus (LACV), a leading cause of arboviral encephalitis in children in the United States, is emerging in Appalachia. For local arboviral surveillance, mosquitoes were tested. LACV RNA was detected and isolated from Aedes japonicus mosquitoes. These invasive mosquitoes may significantly affect LACV range expansion and dynamics.
