A new species of mosquito from South America has been discovered in Florida. This new species of mosquito could cause problems. According to NPR, the species, which goes by the name Culex lactator, is typically found in Central and South America.
According to the study’s lead author, Lawrence Reeves of the University of Florida, there are approximately 90 species of mosquitoes that live in Florida. This number is growing as new species of mosquitoes are brought to the state from other parts of the world.
Overview
The species was first discovered in Miami-Dade County in 2018 before spreading to additional Southwest Florida counties. It is also known that the Culex group of mosquitoes transmit diseases like the West Nile virus. Researchers are looking into whether the lactator can spread disease throughout the region.
Reeves elaborated, “Because many of our greatest mosquito-related challenges are the result of nonnative mosquitoes, introductions of new mosquito species like this are concerning.” Given how little we know about a mosquito species, it’s hard to know what to expect.” According to NPR, there are currently 17 non-native mosquito species in the state, six of which have only been discovered in the past five years
It is known that humans will interact with more animals, including insects, as a result of climate change. Reeves added that it also “may increase the likelihood of tropical mosquito species becoming established once they reach Florida if the state becomes warmer.”
End Note
“Increasing storm frequency and intensity could also bring in more mosquitoes and other species from Central America, the Caribbean, and elsewhere.”
He stated, “We need to be vigilant for new mosquito species introductions because each introduction comes with the possibility that the introduced species will facilitate the transmission of a mosquito-transmitted disease.”
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