Funded by the European Union

SIMPLIFIED KEY OF THE MAJOR VECTORS IN EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA AND WEST ASIA

plumose Female Male antenna

palps long palps short

End of End of abdomen abdomen pointed; rounded; cerci visible; cerci not or body visible black and white

Anopheles Aedes

Pale rings on the hind Pale rings on the hind Tarsomere I of the hind Tarsomere I of the hind tarsi embrace both sides tarsi present only at base legs shorter than hind legs equal or a bit longer of the joint of tarsomeres tibia. No rings on tarsi than hind tibia. No rings on tarsi

Pale rings on the hind tarsi wide. Pale rings on the hind Last tarsomere white tarsi narrow. Last tarsomere not white

Terga with Prominent white trans- white stripe in Scutum bronze with verse basal the middle 2 parallel light stripes. bands of of the Abdominal terga usually a bilobed scutum coloured like above pattern Molecular diagnostic required Always check with complete keys and consult specialists. Culex pipiens Culex torrentium Aedes caspius Aedes vexans Aedes albopictus Culex modestus

Very similar to Ae. dorsalis, Ae. mariae, Ae. zamitii, Ae.

phoeneciae. Use the РЕДНИ REDNI ИВ ФА IV FA Р К R K П У P U Л O L О J Т T Љ L Е E complete keys* and О O Т T

П P

consult specialists. 1954 1954 *Anopheles*Anopheles Maculipenis Complex Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse,(Skuse1895) 1895) Wing veins entirely dark scaled. Dark scales on wing Female has contrasting veins more dense in some pattern of black and white areas forming spots. Scales scales on the body and of wing fringe with a pale could be distinguished patch at the appex. from all other mosquito females in Europe by a Molecular methods required prominent acrostichal for species identification. stripe of white scales which Vectorial capacity: malaria; Bunyamwera narrows posteriorly, and orthobunyavirus (BUNV) = Batai or Calovo virus?, extends from the anterior margin of the scutum to the associated to stillbirths and congenital abnormalities in beginning of the prescutellar area where it forks to the sheep and goats. end at the margin of the scutellum. Vectorial capacity: Dirofilaria spp.; RVFV; WNV?; Usutu virus (USUV)?; Chikungunya virus (CHIKV); dengue virus Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans (DENV), ZIKV. (Meigen,(Meigen 1830)1830) Culex (Barraudius)(Barraudius) modestus modestus Ficalbi, Ficalbi 18891889 Easily distinguished from the other mosquito females Female has tarsomere I of in Europe by having all the hind legs shorther than the tarsomeres of the hind hind tibia. No rings present legs decorated by narrow on tarsi. Continuous lateral basal pale rings. The rings band of pale scales on are not wider than 1/4 terga. of the length of the hind For the identification of the tarsomeres. Patterns of the body regions are made female, expert knowledge of dark and whitish scales, not black and white as in in the mosquito morphology is needed. species of Stegomyia subgenus. Vectorial capacity: WNV; CEV. Vectorial capacity: California encephalitis orthobunyavirus (CEV) = Tahyna vs; Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV); (WNV)?; Zika virus (ZIKV)? Culex (Culex) pipiens Linnaeus,(Linnaeus 17581758)

Female could be distinguished from others Aedes (Ochlerotatus) caspius present in Europe (except (Pallas,(Pallas 1771)1771) these of Cx. torrentium) by rounded tip of the abdomen and brownish Distinguished from other coloration of the body. Legs females of mosquitoes in without light rings, dorsal Europe by two dorsocentral part of the brown abdominal segments ornamented white stripes which run by the yellowish basal bands. over the light fawn colored scutum. Tarsomeres I–IV of Vectorial capacity: WNV; Dirofilaria spp.; USUV; RVFV. the hind legs have white or cream-colored basal and apical rings (a feature shared by some other species of Aedes genus). Culex (Culex) torrentium Martini, 1925 However, the coloration of Ae. caspius is subject to considerable variation. Vectorial capacity: Vectorial capacity: Dirofilaria spp.; CEV?; WNV?; WNV; SINV. RVFV?

? – vectorial role not clear

Mosquitoes MosKeyTool Recommended Identification, Ecology Interactive identification key complete keys: and Control for mosquitoes of Euro-Mediterranean Becker et al. 2020 www.medilabsecure.com/moskeytool.html

Authors: Dušan Petrić (Univ. Novi Sad), Filiz Günay (Univ. Hacettepe) and Vincent Robert (IRD) Photos: Jean-Baptise Ferré (EID), Nil Rahola (IRD) | Design: Marie Picard (IRD) & Ariane Guillot (IP)

This key was produced by the MediLabSecure European project and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under the Technical Cooperation Project RER/5/023: Enhancing National Capabilities for Early and Rapid Detection of Priority Vector Borne Diseases of (Including Zoonoses) by Means of Molecular Diagnostic Tools. Family Culicidae Subfamily Anophelinae Anopheles (Anopheles) sacharovi

Anopheles sacharovi Morphological description / © WRBU MediLabSecure © WRBU The only Anopheles sacharovi is an important malaria vector of the Maculipennis complex across morphologically Europe, and remains principal vector in . It has been the target of a number identifiable member of the Maculipennis of focused anti-vector campaigns across its range including , , Armenia and complex Lack of a large pale Turkey. Yet this species still persists in all areas. Anopheles sacharovi is highly plastic in median band both adult behaviour and its use of larval habitats. on the scutum

Distribution around the Mediterranean Basin / Historically it is a known vector of malaria Absence of a patch of pale scales in Armenia and a proven vector in © WRBU at the apex of the wing fringe Turkey, Syria, northern and but also Greece. It is also regarded as the principal potential vector in regions of southern Europe. Anopheles sacharovi was responsible for malaria transmission in Body length / 7 mm Greece in 2011. Biting behaviour / Adult females bite humans indoors and outside. Majority feed in the evening.

Current known distribution of Anopheles sacharovi Vector surveillance / 2018 / MoskeyTool Immature habitats / In the Mediterranean area it breeds typically in large brackish Anopheles sacharovi is a target species marshes though larvae may at times be found in a wide variety of habitats. for surveillance in Armenia and Turkey.

Transmission / Host preference / Highly anthropophilic but also feed on a wide range of hosts including sheep, goats, cattle, horses, birds, rabbits, rodents, and domestic pets. Vector control / Proved vector of: The large-scale decline of malaria vectors Human malaria parasites in in the 1920s and 30s employed a variety of strategies, including land (Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax) reclamation (involving digging drainage Easily confused species channels to drain swamps), larviciding Anopheles maculepennis s.l (including aerial treatments), and huts Potential vector of: to trap overwintering females. Larvae are difficult to control due to numerous Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus (BUNV) aquatic habitats. = Batai or Calovo virus

The species belonging to the Maculipennis complex -except An. sacharovi- have a patch of pale scales on the extremity of the wing fringe, and a large pale medium band on the scutum.

References, tools / © WRBU ECDC Factsheet Anopheles sacharovi: http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/vectors/mosquitoes/pages/anopheles-sacharovi-factsheet.aspx www.medilabsecure.com Family Culicidae Subfamily Culicinae Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans Common name (inland) Floodwater Mosquito

Morphological description / Aedes vexans MediLabSecure Easily recognized Aedes vexans is a cosmopolitan species, present on every continent especially through- by terga IV-V with out Holartic and Oriental regions. It is a multivoltine species breeding preferentially in pale bilobed basal temporary water bodies after flooding events. Its development cycle is fast. Adults occur bands © WRBU during spring and summer and can constitute an important nuisance due to a periodic Tarsi with narrow pale basal rings extreme abundance and aggressive human biting behaviour. Adults can migrate However, among long distances and create nuisance up to 40 to 50 km away from their breeding sites. the Ae. vexans population of Scutum with an Overwintering occurs in the egg stage. Mediterranean indefinite pattern Africa, of yellow only or ornementation of yellow and cream abdominal tergites scales Distribution around the Mediterranean Basin / can be formed of continuous white Aedes vexans consists of 3 subspecies in bands © IRD East Asia (Ae. vexans niponii), in Africa © IRD (Ae. vexans arabiensis which is darker than the type subspecies) and in Europe (Ae. vexans vexans). The latter is widely Body length / 5-7 mm distributed in Central Europe, Scandinavia and throughout the Mediterranean basin. Biting behaviour / This species is one of the most fierce biters of humans. Distribution of Ae. vexans - 2018 / MosKeyTool Females bites throughout the nycthemeral cycle, particularly at dusk.

Vector surveillance / Transmission / Immature habitats / Immatures are found in inundated areas such as floodplain of Surveillance of larvae in productive river or lakes with fluctuating water levels, with or without vegetation. breeding sites is implemented in many Proved vector of: countries as this mosquito can generate In Europe, the species is commonly found with Ae. sticticus. strong nuisance. California encephalitis orthobunyavirus (CEV) = Tahyna virus Host preference / Feed on man, domestic and wild animals. Dirofilaria immitis (dog heartworm) Vector control / In Africa south of the Sahara, Ae. vexans > Environmental management (draining, arabiensis has been involved in Rift Valley Easily confused species planting trees, filling,...) fever virus transmission Adults are easily identified based on the above-mentioned criteria. > Larval control: using IGRs and biological However, larvae are close to the species of Cinereus group and can be distinguished by the larvicides , including Bacillus thuringiensis Potential vector of: frontal cephalic setae inserted on a zig-zag line, and with 2-3 branches. israelensis. > Personal protection against mosquito West Nile virus bites. Eastern equine encephalitis virus American Aedes vexans mosquitoes are also competent for Zika virus

References, tools / Aedes cinereus Aedes vexans F. Schaffner Coll. F. Schaffner Coll. The mosquitoes of Europe. An identification and training programme. Schaffner F, Angel G, Geoffroy B, Hervy JP, Rhaiem A, Brunhes J. Montpellier: IRD Éditions. 2001. Mosquitoes and Their Control, 2nd ed. Norbert Becker, Dusan Petric, Marija Zgomba, Clive Boase, Madon Minoo, Christine Dahl, Achim Kaiser, Springer, 2010. www.medilabsecure.com Family reduce bites > Personalprotection:useofrepellents to with pyrethroids > Adultcontrol:groundULVtreatments and IGRs > Larvalcontrol:usingbiologicallarvicides Vector control/ strong nuisance. countries as thismosquito cangenerate breeding sites is implemented in many Surveillance oflarvaeinproductive Vector surveillance/ caspius and basin. ThedistributionsofthesympatricAe. and fromthenorthtoMediterranean from EnglandtothecentralpartsofRussia and middle Asia. In Europe it can be found and west , North Africa and west distributed fromEuropetoMongolia,north which isofHolarcticorigin.Ae.caspius southern anddryregionsthanAe.dorsalis Palaearctic species, more common in Distribution aroundtheMediterraneanBasin/ shelters whennumerous. from breeding sites.Femalesare exophagic, but frequently feed in housesandanimal km 10 to up disperse may and fliers strong are Females night. and day the during bite in rural and urban areas. They most actively search for a blood meal at dusk, but often vegetation and muddybottom. both The females voraciouslybitehumansandanimals the larvae develop in brackish water, snowmelt pools, river floods and rice fields with little in Mediterranean coastal marches and rock holes withahigh concentration of salt. Also, fluctuation of the water level in a breeding site). It breeds in saline water being common overwinters in the egg stage. Eggs hatch after submersion with water (due to the produced duetothenature of thebreedingsite.SimilartoAe. vexans,the species Aedes caspius isapolycyclicspeciesbutsometimesonlyone generation per yearis Europe. of northern Italy andsignificance forvector-borne disease risk assessment. J Vector Ecol 37(1):49–61 pattern of dailyactivityofAedescaspius, Aedesdetritus, Culexmodestus, andCulexpipiens inthePoDelta Veronesi et al.2012–(Veronesi R,GentileG,Carrieri M,MaccagnaniB, StermieriL,BelliniR) (2012)Seasonal Becker etal.2020Mosquitoes: Identification,Ecologyand Control References, tools / Culicidae Ae. dorsalis Aedes caspius overlap in most of overlap in most of Transmission / Rift Valey fever virus (RVFV) virus fever Valey Rift (WNV) virus Nile West virus - Tahyna (CEV) orthobunyavirus encephalitis California of: vector Potential heartworm) (dog immitis Dirofilaria of: vector Proved Subfamily MosKeyTool Distribution ofAedescaspius-2018/ Culicinae scutum. scutum. the lightfawncolored stripes whichrunover dorsocentral white in theregionbytwo mosquitoes females distinguished fromother Quite easily Morphological description/ Aedes (Ochlerotatus)caspius to considerablevariation. However, thecolorationofscutumandabdomenissubject parts ofEurope(southFrance,northItaly)itisamainpestspecies. Biting behaviour/Usualybiteatdusk,oftenduringthedayandnight.Insome Body length/ Host preference/ river floodplainsandricefields. Also, thelarvaedevelopinbrackish water,andfreshwaterlikesnowmeltpools, coastal marchesandrockholes,toleratingrelativelyhighconcentration ofsalt. Immature habitats/LarvaearecommoninAtlanticandMediterranean

4-6mm © IRD Voracious pestofhumansandanimals. Tarsomeres I–IV of the Tarsomeres I–IVofthe hind legshavepale- colored basal and colored basaland

© IRD pale scales pattern ofdarkand bering thetypical Abdominal tergaoften apical rings www.medilabsecure.com © IRD © IRD

MediLabSecure Common name: Asian Tiger mosquito Common name Asian Tiger mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus Family Culicidae Subfamily Culicinae Synonim: Stegomyia albopicta

Aedes albopictus Morphological description / MediLabSecure © IRD © IRD Aedes albopictus is currently the most invasive mosquito in the world. This mosquito can adapt to wide-ranging circumstances and is associated with human-made habitats, allowing it to spread in populated, urban areas. Its eggs are transported via the global trade of goods, particularly used tyres (cars, trucks, heavy vehicles, etc.) and ‘lucky bamboo’ plants. Aedes albopictus is already widespread and abundant in the Mediterranean basin where it is causing biting nuisance and has been implicated as a vector in the local transmission of dengue and chikungunya. In temperate populations, exposure to short-day lengths causes the female to produce diapausing eggs.

Mainly black; white stripes on legs and dorsal abdomen.

Distribution around the Mediterranean Basin / Originated from Asia, Ae. albopictus has Silvery median white line succeeded in colonizing most continents on the scutum in the past 30-40 years. The species was recorded for the first time in Europe in Albania in 1979, then in Italy in 1990 and is Body length / 3-5 mm now present in some 20 European countries. Today, it is established in most countries of the Mediterranean Sea, including Lebanon, Syria, Biting behaviour / Adult females bite aggressively, usually during the day and Jordan and Israel. Also recently observed in preferably outdoors. few localities in , and Tunisia. Immature habitats / Natural and artificial habitats, some of which include tyres, Current known distribution of Aedes albopictus barrels, rainwater gulley catch basins and drinking troughs. Preference for January 2019 / VectorNet suburban habitats with gardens ; also in urban habitats. Vector surveillance / Transmission / European map available by ECDC/ Host preference / Opportunistic feeder. Hosts include humans, domestic and VectorNet. Proved vector of: wild animals, reptiles, birds and amphibians.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) Vector control / Dengue virus (DENV) > Source reduction: elimination of stagnant Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) Easily confused species water that is propitious for larvae Zika virus (ZIKV) > Larval control: using IGRs, biological Dirofilaria spp. larvicides and monomolecular layers Aedes cretinus Aedes albopictus Aedes unilineatus > Adult control: in case of a disease outbreak, ground ULV treatments with Potential vector of : pyrethroids

> Personal protection: use of repellents to White stripes West Nile virus (WNV) reduce bites reaching Usutu virus (USUV) to the middle of Yellow fever virus scutum

References, tools / ECDC Factsheet Aedes albopictus: http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/vectors/mosquitoes/Pages aedes-albopictus.aspx www.medilabsecure.com Family Culicidae Subfamily Culicinae Culex (Barraudius) modestus

Morphological description / Culex modestus MediLabSecure Culex modestus is a widespread mosquito throughout the Palaearctic region. Its dispersal ability is very low and aggressive females remain localized around larval breeding sites comprising of fresh or slightly saline waters of marshes, irrigation canals and inundation areas of rivers overgrown by reed, and rice fields. Because of patchy © IRD Dark scales Leg III: the tibia is clearly longer than the tasomere 1 distribution, breeding sites distance to human settlements, and low dispersion capacity predominate on it is considered as an important bridge vector of WNV only in several natural and rural the abdominal wetland environments across Europe (southern France, delta, Caspian and terga; lateral pale Asov sea deltas, and the region). However, it is one of the major enzootic vector patches usually form Prespiracular and of WNV in Europe. a continuous pale postspiracular border on the sides setae are absent Culex modestus belongs to the small subgenus Barraudius which includes only one other of the abdomen. species in the Palaearctic region: Cx. pusillus. Presence of a

© IRD patch of pale scales on the Silvery median white line Distribution around the Mediterranean Basin / postspiracular on the scutum Culex modestus is widely distributed in area © IRD the Palaearctic region from England to southern Siberia. It is considered as a common species in southern and Body length / 4-5 mm central Europe. Culex modestus has been reported throughout the Maghreb but its Biting behaviour / Females do not enter buildings and feed outdoors close to the breeding sites, mainly at dusk. However, they often bite during the day, even at presence is clustered. sun and wind exposed places.

Vector surveillance / Immature habitats / Larvae inhabit fresh to slightly saline water and breed in irrigation channels, marshes with rich vegetation, reed beds and rice fields. Larvae Culex modestus is an exophagous and Distribution of Culex modestus - 2018 / MosKeyTool express a preference for shallow and sunlit breeding sites and are often associated exophilic species. The species can with those of the Anopheles species. represent a nuisance locally. Adults Host preference / Feeding preference is determined by the host availability. appear in July and can be abundant Transmission / Feeds predominantly on birds but can also fed on a wide variety of mammals. Also, can aggressively bite humans. until the end of August; they disappear Vector of: in late September. There are no specific surveillance programmes targeting Cx. West Nile virus (WNV) modestus in Europe. Easily confused species Tahyna virus Vector control / Myxomatosis virus Culex modestus can be confused with Cx. adairi, Cx. pusillus and Cx. martinii. The abdominal terga > Environmental management (draining, Lednice virus planting trees, filling,...) of four species is covered predominately with dark scales. However, the three latter species do not > Larval control: using IGRs and biological Found naturally infected with: have any patch of pale scales on the postspira- larvicides, including Bacillus thuringiensis cular area. The hind tibia is clearly longer than the israelensis. hind tasomere 1 in Cx. modestus, Cx. adairi and Tularemia © IRD > Personal protection against mosquito Cx. pusillus, but not in Cx. martinii. Culex pusillus presents a characteristic thin line bites Cx. pusillus is mainly a halophilic species. It is a of pale scales at the base of costal vein uncommon species. In Europe and in the Medi- terranean area, it is reported only from Eastern Mediterranean (from eastern Algeria to Egypt) References, tools / and from eastern and southern Greece.

The mosquitoes of Europe. An identification and training programme. Schaffner F, Angel G, Geoffroy B, © IRD Hervy JP, Rhaiem A, Brunhes J. Montpellier: IRD Éditions. 2001. Culex adairi is a rare species only reported from Leg III of Cx. martinii has tibia nearly Les Culicidae d’Afrique Méditerranéenne. Brunhes J, Rhaim A, Geoffroy B, Angel G, Hervy JP. IRD éditions. Egypt. Larvae are found in clear and non-perma- as long as tarsomere 1 2000. nent water from rock holes. Larvae can be asso- ECDC Factsheet Aedes albopictus: Mosquitoes and Their Control, 2nd ed. Norbert Becker, Dusan Petric, Marija Zgomba, Clive Boase, Madon ciated with Culiseta longiareolata and Cx. deser- http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/vectors/mosquitoes/Pages aedes-albopictus.aspx Minoo, Christine Dahl, Achim Kaiser, Springer, 2010. ticola. www.medilabsecure.com Family Culicidae Subfamily Culicinae Culex (Culex) pipiens Common name: Northern house mosquito

Culex pipiens s.s. Morphological description /

The apex of all Culex pipiens s.s., as well as its tropical variant Culex quinquefasciatus, are members of femora with narrow MediLabSecure spot of yellowish the Culex pipiens complex. Cx pipiens s.s. is a synanthropic mosquito with a widespread scales. distribution in temperate regions. This species occurs as two biological forms and their hybrids; Cx. pipiens pipiens and Cx. pipiens molestus, which exhibit important behavioural Tarsi are uniformly and physiological differences. The molestus form has a greater tendency to feed upon dark brown. humans and other mammals whereas the pipiens form prefers avian hosts. The adaptation of Cx. pipiens complex to human environments and hosts while predominantly feeding on birds increases zoonotic disease risk. © Iranian Society of Medical Entomology & Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Culex pipiens is the main vector for West Nile virus, as well as many other pathogens. © IRD Adults with yellowish Males are distinguishable from basal bands on Cx. quinquefasciatus and abdominal terga. Cx. torrentium by the male genitalia characters. Distribution around the Mediterranean Basin / Native to Africa, this mosquito is now the most widely distributed mosquito in © WRBU temperate regions of the World, spread mostly by humans to every continent except Antarctica. The pipiens form is Body length / 3-7 mm probably the only biological form of the species in the most northern part of Europe, and the molestus form more common in the Biting behaviour / Their most active time to feed is after dusk and before dawn. Mediterranean basin. Hybrids occur where both forms are present. Distribution of Cx. pipiens - 2018 / MosKeyTool Immature habitats / Usually the most common mosquito in urban settings, found breeding in fouled and polluted water; often in small containers, septic systems and Vector surveillance / Several European countries (France, Transmission / ditches associated with human activity. Greece, Italy, Serbia) included Proved vector of: Host preference / Major role in human nuisance. Also bites birds. entomological surveillance of Cx. pipiens into the national/regional programmes of WNV surveillance. West Nile virus (WNV) Usutu virus (USUV) Easily confused species Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) Vector control / Dirofilaria spp. Differences in the > Reducing the aquatic habitats suitable for shape of the male The prealar scales larvae genitalia - dorsal usually permit to Potential vector of: and ventral arms discreminate females > Use IGRs, monomolecular surface layers, of aedeagus. of Cx. pipiens (absent) or biological insecticides, including Bacillus and Cx. torrentium Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) (present). sphaericus Bancroftian filariasis > Screening the windows and doors, sleeping under a mosquito net, use of repellents, and clothes that wover the body well. © IRD © Iranian Society of Medical Entomology & Tehran University of Medical Sciences Culex quinquefasciatus Culex torrentium

In the absence of information on the male genitalia, References, tools / molecular techniques are recommended to identify Culex pipiens from Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex torrentium at both adult and larval stage. Dehghan H, Sadraei J, Moosa-Kazemi SH, et al. A Pictorial Key for Culex pipiens Complex (Diptera: Culicidae) In Iran. Journal of -Borne Diseases. 2016;10(3):291-302. www.medilabsecure.com Family Culicidae Subfamily Culicinae Culex (Culex) torrentium Martini

Morphological description / Culex torrentium MediLabSecure The larvae occur throughout the warm season, often together with those of Cx. pipiens in both unpolluted and polluted habitats, such as edges of slow running streams, in vegetation at borders of lakes, semi permanent pools, marshy areas, man-made © IRD containers and reservoirs of sewage plants. Cx. torrentium is numerous and common

in man-made urban breeding sites as Cx. pipiens north of the Alps. The development © IRD seems to be slower than in Cx. pipiens. Females are ornithophilic and have never been Abdominal tergum reported to bite man. Both sexes are most active in nectar feeding between 22:00 h and 03:00 h. © IRD prealar scales Distribution around the Mediterranean Basin / The species seems to have a wide © IRD distribution in the temperate Palaearctic Hindtibia region. In Europe it has been recorded widespread northern of latitude 48 degrees up to the polar circle, but also in Algeria. Body length / 4-6mm

Vector surveillance / Biting behaviour / Most probably feeds on birds during the night. Both females Targeted surveillance of adults is difficult and males feeds on nectar during night. Distribution of Culex torrentium - 2018 / because of close resemblance to Cx. MosKeyTool pipiens. Despite high degree of association Immature habitats / In vegetation at edges of slow running streams, at borders of between two taxa in the breeding sites lakes, pools, marshy areas, man-made containers and reservoirs of sewage plants. in South-West Germany (larvae of both Transmission / species were almost equally represented Being ornithophilic, Cx. torrentium is in samples from gravid traps, natural and supposed to play a major role in enzootic Host preference / Ornitophilic mosquito. artificial breeding sites), but in dry ice- virus transmission in bird populations. baited traps, Cx. torrentium represented only 3.9% of adults sampled. Proved vector of:

Vectorial capacity is difficult to prove because Easily confused species of adult close resemblance to Cx. pipiens. Vector control / > Colateral control performed when control measures target Cx. pipiens Potential vector of: Very similar to Cx. pipiens The dorsal arm of the in all stages, except for aedeagus is pointed larval seta 1-T, the prealar and twisted at the apex Sindbis virus (SINV) in Cx. torrentium and scale patch, the pointed blunt in Cx. pipiens West Nile virus (WNV) and twisted apex of the dorsal arm of the aedea- gus and the curved ven- tral arm of the paraproct In Cx. torrentium the in the male hypopygium. References, tools / ventral arm of the paraproct is always Andersson and Jaenson 1987 - Andersson IH, Jaenson TGT (1987) Nectar feeding by mosquitoes in long and recurved. , with special reference to Culex pipiens and Culex torrentium. Med Vet Entomol 1:59–64 Becker et al. 2020 Mosquitoes: Identification, Ecology and Control In Cx. pipiens it varies Harbach et al. 1985 - Harbach RE, Dahl C, White GB (1985) Culex (Culex) pipiens Linnaeus (Diptera: from being vestigious Culicidae). Concepts, type designations and description. Proc Entomol Soc Wash 87:1–24 Culex. torrentium to conspicuous but is Culex. pipiens Service MW (1968) The and biology of two sympatric sibling species of Culex, C. pipiens and never recurved C. torrentium (Diptera: Culicidae). J Zool (Lond) 156:313–323 Weitzel et al. 2011 - Weitzel T, Braun K, Collado A, Jöst A, Becker N (2011) Distribution and frequency of Culex pipiens and Culex torrentium (Culicidae) in Europe and diagnostic allozyme markers. Eur Mosq Bull 29:22–37 www.medilabsecure.com