Mosquito Records from Mexico: The Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Tamaulipas State.

To document the diversity and distribution of mosquito species inhabiting the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, collection trips were conducted to all physiographic regions (Grand Northamerican Plains, Coastal Plain of North Gulf, and Sierra Madre Oriental) and subregions across the state. Additionally, we re-examined mosquito specimens in two Mexican entomological collections: the Collection of Insects and Mites of Medical Importance and the Collection of Arthropods of Medical Importance. In total, 3,931 specimens were collected. These represent the two Culicidae subfamilies Anophelinae and Culicinae, 10 tribes, 17 genera, 27 subgenera, 80 named species, and 2 undescribed species. Of these, 3 tribes, 6 genera, 7 subgenera, and 20 species are new records for the mosquito fauna of Tamaulipas. Fourteen species recorded in the historical records were not found in collections made for this study. Taxonomic notes, new distribution limits, and comments about the medical importance of some of the species collected are reported.

First Record of Wyeomyia mitchellii in Nuevo León, Mexico.

On October 5, 2021, mosquito collections were conducted in Nuevo León in search of an undescribed species within the genus Wyeomyia reported previously in this state. Species collected included Aedes quadrivittatus, Ae. amabilis, Ae. triseriatus group, Ae. albopictus, and Wy. mitchellii. Although the undescribed species was not found, the occurrence record for Wy. mitchellii in Nuevo León constitutes the 1st record for this species in this state. Additionally, historical records of the presence of Wy. mitchelli in Mexico, available in the literature, were reviewed and updated. Specimens collected during this study were deposited in the Culicidae Collection of the Parasitology Department, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Laguna unit. With the addition of Wy. mitchellii to the mosquito fauna of Nuevo León, there are currently 67 species in the state.

First Record of Mansonia dyari in the State of Morelos, Mexico, Based on Morphology and COI DNA Barcoding.

Collections of mosquitoes were conducted for the surveillance of species of medical importance in the state of Morelos, Mexico, in June 2017. Species collected included Mansonia (Mansonia) dyari, which was identified using morphological characters and cytochrome c oxidase I DNA barcoding. Although 3 species of genus Mansonia have been previously reported in Mexico, this is the 1st confirmed record of Ma. dyari in Morelos State, where no Mansonia species had been recorded. Historical records of Ma. dyari and Ma. indubitans in Mexico were reviewed. Therefore, this record increases the number of mosquito species occurring in Morelos to 46. The specimens collected in this study were deposited in the Culicidae collection of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Unidad Laguna.

Comparison of two DNA extraction methods from larvae, pupae, and adults of Aedes aegypti.

Mosquitoes are the most important arthropods from the point of view of public health, due to the fact that they can transmit a large number of pathogens which can cause diseases to humans and animals. Aedes aegypti (L.) is one of the most important vector species in the world, since it can transmit numerous pathogens such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Therefore, studies involving the molecular aspects of this and other mosquitoes species are currently increasing. In this report, we describe the comparison between two DNA extraction techniques, Chelex and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), for carrying out DNA extraction in larvae, pupae and adult female of Ae. aegypti. The Chelex technique was superior in the amount and purity of DNA as compared to the CTAB technique in the three life stages we tested.

First Record of Psorophora ferox In Durango State, Mexico.

During August-November of 2018, mosquito collections were conducted with the intention of monitoring the presence of arboviruses in Durango State, Mexico. Species collected included Psorophora (Janthinosoma) ferox. In Mexico, 24 species of the genus Psorophora have been previously reported, whereas in the state of Durango, only 2 species have been reported: Psorophora (Grabhamia) columbiae and Ps. (Gra.) signipennis. This is the 1st record of Ps. ferox and the subgenus Janthinosoma in Durango. With the addition of Ps. ferox to the list of mosquito species found in Durango, the number of mosquito species occurring in the state stands at 31.

Geographical distribution of the Aedes Triseriatus Group (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mexico.

Aedes brelandi Zavortink is reported for the first time outside of the United States, where it has been found in northern and central parts of Mexico. Ae. triseriatus (Say) is reported in northern and central Mexico and Ae. zoosophus Dyar and Knab is recorded in southern Mexico. Collection records for these species in northern, central, and southern Mexico showing the current distribution of the Aedes Triseriatus Group are included.