Introduction
Mosquitoes are insects belonging to the order Diptera, the True Flies. Like
all True Flies, they have two wings, but unlike other flies, mosquito wings
have scales. Female mosquitoes mouthparts form a long piercing-sucking proboscis.
Males differ from females by having feathery antennae and mouthparts not suitable
for piercing skin. A mosquito’s principal food is nectar or similar sugar
source.
There are over 2500 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world;
about 200 species occur in the United States with 77 species occurring in
Florida. A new species, Anopheles grabhamii, was reported from
the Florida Keys in 2001 (Darsie et al. 2002). Each mosquito species
has a Latin scientific name, such as Anopheles quadrimaculatus.
Anopheles is the "generic" name of a group of closely related
mosquitoes and quadrimaculatus is the "species" name
that represents a group of individuals that are similar in structure and physiology
and capable of interbreeding. These names are used in a descriptive manner
so that the name tells something about each particular mosquito, for example,
Anopheles — Greek meaning hurtful or prejudicial and
quadrimaculatus — Latin meaning four spots (4 dark
spots on the wings). Some species have what are called "common names"
as well as scientific names, such as Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus,
the "black salt marsh mosquito."
Scientific investigators (taxonomists) are constantly looking for new mosquitoes,
as well as reviewing previously identified specimens for new information or
identifying characteristics. Better microscopic equipment developed in the
last 20 years has improved the taxonomist’s ability to determine differences
between species. Recently such a review by Dr. John Reinert (2000) led to
a change in the name of many mosquitoes belonging to the genus Aedes. Using
improved methods and over 30 years' experience he elevated a subgenus of Aedes
(Ochlerotatus) to the status of genus. This will necessitate the renaming
of many mosquitoes previously named Aedes to the genus Ochlerotatus
and the rewriting of many taxonomic keys important to public health entomologists
working in mosquito control.
|
