〔Med. Entomol. Zool. Vol. 71 No. 4 p. 271‒277 2020〕 271 reference DOI: 10.7601/mez.71.271 Original Article Horizontal and elevational distribution of Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes compared with Aedes albopictus in an inland mountain area, Nagano Prefecture, Japan Kimio H*, 1), Naoko N2), Mutsuo K2), Yoshio T2) and Kyoko S2) * Corresponding author:
[email protected] 1) Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3‒15‒1 Tokida, Ueda City, Nagano 386‒8567, Japan 2) Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1‒23‒1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162‒8640, Japan (Received: 7 July 2020; Accepted: 19 August 2020) Abstract: Nagano Prefecture, an inland mountain area of Japan, extends widely north and south, with elevation that varies greatly by location. Mosquitoes transmitting infectious disease have a diversity of habitats in Nagano, and many species can be expected there. However, there have been few reports about mosquito fauna in this region; in particular, little information is available on mosquitoes such as Culex (Culex) pipiens complex and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus. In this study, we investigated the mosquito fauna in 17 areas to clarify their horizontal and elevational distribution patterns between July and September from 2012 to 2014. We focused especially on Cx. pipiens complex compared with Ae. albopictus. A total of 1,117 mosquitoes were collected, and identied as belonging to 17 species. e most abundant species was Cx. pipiens complex, followed by Ae. albopictus. Both species were mainly collected in the southern and eastern parts of Nagano Prefecture, excluding highland areas.