Aldo I. Ortega-Morales

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

ABSTRACT 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 Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in San Luis Potosi, Mexico

With the recent introduction into Mexico of chikungunya and Zika viruses in the years 2014 and 2015, respectively, the programs for entomological surveillance of vector-borne diseases, specifically mosquito-borne diseases, have been intensified in all Mexican states. Public health officials survey the presence of Aedes aegypti, the main vector of arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in urban and suburban areas of the country. However, the sylvan and rural areas are poorly sampled, thus the presence of Ae. albopictus and other mosquitoes species is not surveyed accordingly. Ae. albopictus develops in the tropical forest, sylvan, rural, and suburban regions of Mexico (Ponce et al. 2004). The first records of Aedes albopictus in the northeastern states of Mexico (Coahuila de Zaragaoza, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas) and the border with the United States were made just a few years after the species was recorded for the first time in North America (Sperenger and Wuithiranyagool 1986). In 1988, Ae. albopictus was collected for the first time in Mexico in the United States border city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas state (Francy et al. 1990). Later, immature stages were collected in Ciudad Acuña and Piedras Negras, both cities bordering the United States in Coahuila de Zaragoza state (Ibáñez and Martínez 1994), and in Nuevo Leon state, the species was collected for the first time in the city of Allende by public health surveillance officials (Pesina et al. 2001). In southern Mexico, Ae. albopictus was recorded for the first time in 1997 in the city of Martinez de la Torre, in Veracruz state (Flisser et al. 2002). Presumably, the species spread south from Tamaulipas throughout northern Veracruz through the Sierra Madre Oriental and/or the North Gulf Coastal Plains. A second invasion of the species was recorded in the Guatemala border city of Tapachula, in Chiapas state (Casas and Torres 2003). Immature stages of Ae. albopictus were collected in the city of Cancun in Quintana Roo state in the Yucatán Peninsula (Salomon et al. 2012). In the middle of Mexico, Ae. albopictus was recorded in association with a number of other species in 2009 in the cities of Jojutla and Cuautla above 1,000 m.a.s.l. in Morelos state (Villegas et al. 2010). Finally, the species was recorded in northwest Mexico in the city of Culiacan in Sinaloa state (Torres et al. 2015). During our mosquito surveys in different Mexican states, collection trips were conducted in the county of Aquismon in San Luis Potosi state during 2012-2013, and in both years we found Ae. albopictus in different sub-physiographical regions of the state (low mountain and tropical regions of the Sierra Madre Oriental) (Table 1). The presence of Ae. albopictus in San Luis Potosi state is recorded for the first time. We recommend future surveillance in all sub-regions

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

ABSTRACT: 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.

First Record of Stegomyia albopicta [Aedes albopictus] In Belize

Abstract. The first confirmed record of Stegomyia albopicta (Skuse) [Aedes albopictus (Skuse)] for Belize was made at Benque Viejo del Carmen, District Del Cayo, from a mosquito landing on a human on 6 August 2009.

First Record of the Asian Tiger Mosquito Aedes albopictus in Hidalgo State, Mexico

Abstract The occurrence of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has been reported in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila (northeastern), Veracruz, Chiapas, Quintana Roo (southeastern), Morelos, San Luis Potosí (middle), and Sinaloa (northwestern). In April and September 2012, Ae. albopictus was collected in a variety of habitats and landing/biting on the collecting personnel in 12 counties of Hidalgo state (middle). This is the first record of the occurrence of this species in Hidalgo state.

Mosquito fauna associated with Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Yucatán State of southeastern México, and checklist with new records

Abstract As part of our routine surveillance for arboviruses transmitted by Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Yucatán State, México, we regularly monitor the mosquito fauna that occurs in the region. In this study, immature and adult mosquitoes were collected at 60 study sites (including residential premises, churches, tourist areas, cemeteries, forested areas, and garbage dump sites) in Yucatán State from Jul 2014 to Dec 2015. In total, 4,062 larvae, 344 pupae, and 3,812 adults representing 7 genera and 27 species were collected. Three species had never before been identified in Yucatán State, and these are Aedes (Ochlerotatus) euplocamus Dyar & Knab, Aedes (Protomacleaya) podographicus Dyar & Knab, and Culex (Culex) declarator Dyar & Knab. The identification of these 3 species brings the current total of mosquito species recognized in Yucatán State to 52 (with 11 genera). Many of the mosquitoes collected in this study were temporally and spatially associated with Ae. aegypti.

West Nile Virus Survey of Birds, Horses, and Mosquitoes of the Pacific Coast, Southern Mexico

Abstract. Serology of West Nile virus vectors and non-human reservoirs was surveyed at Acapulco, Jose Azueta, and Ometepec, three Pacific Coast localities of Guerrero State, Mexico. The objectives of this study were to use enzyme-linked immnosorbent assay (ELISA) to assess West Nile virus antibodies of bird and equine serum samples and use reverse transcription of polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect the virus in field-collected resting mosquitoes. Forty birds trapped using mist nets yielded 10% seroprevalence. Similarly, 18.6% of 102 equine blood samples had West Nile virus. In addition, 4,854 mosquitoes were caught using motorized backpack aspirators and grouped into 116 pools. Of the 16 species and seven genera, no mosquito was positive for West Nile virus. Our study demonstrated West Nile virus seroprevalence on resident birds and equines in Guerrero State, Mexico.

Registros de Mosquitos en México: Culex stigmatosoma Dyar y Cx. thriambus Dyar (Diptera: Culicidae) con Notas Taxonómicas para Ambas Especies

Abstract. The identification of Cx. stigmatosoma and Cx. thriambus is sometimes confused in Mexico. Intraspecific differences in spiracular apodeme on Cx. stigmatosoma larvae and chaetoaxy on siphon of Cx. thriambus are reported and illustrated here. Based on specimens from recent collections, we include distribution, ecologic, medical importance, and taxonomic notes, and additional collection records in Mexico are documented for both species.

The mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Hidalgo state, Mexico

In order to document the species richness of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and their distributions in the Mexican state of Hidalgo, collecting trips were conducted to all physiographic regions (Coastal Plain of North Gulf, Sierra Madre Oriental, and Neo-volcanic Axis) and subregions of the state. Additionally, mosquito specimens from Hidalgo deposited in the Collection of Arthropods of Medical Importance (CAIM) were reexamined. A total of 3225 specimens were collected and studied and an additional 69 pinned mosquitoes and 15 microscope slides in CAIM were examined. The two Culicidae subfamilies Anophelinae and Culicinae, 8 tribes, 12 genera, 24 subgenera, and 56 species were documented. Of these, 4 tribes, 7 genera, 13 subgenera, and 26 species are new records for the mosquito fauna of Hidalgo. Nine species previously recorded were not found in the collections made during this study. Taxonomic notes, new distribution records, and comments about the medical importance of the species found are included.

Otobius megnini1 (Dugès) on a Dog from the North-Central Part of Mexico

Abstract. The purpose of the study was to report the presence of the soft tick Otobius megnini (Dugès) parasitizing a dog. Three specimens were collected during a routine consultation, and by morphological examination, identified as the ear tick. Physicians and public health authorities should be aware of the tick as part of differential diagnosis when earache is manifested by patients in close contact with animals and the posible incrimination of the parasite in harboring and transmitting pathogens.