Search

Identifying mosquito species is a fundamental step in risk assessment and implementation of preventative strategies. Moreover, Culex pipiens is the most widespread mosquito vector in several regions of Iran and is the main vector for transmission of West Nile virus (WNV). Mosquitoes were collected at 14 sites in northern regions of Iran in 2015 and 2016. A subset of mosquito specimens was selected for identification confirmation using a DNA-barcoding technique. Construction of a phylogenetic tree showed clustering of mosquito sequences into three main genera: Aedes, Anopheles and Culex with individuals of a single species clustered closely together, regardless of where and when they were collected. Cx. pipiens complex and Cx. torrentium were identified and differentiated using multiplex real-time PCR targeting the gene locus for acetylcholinesterase 2 (ace2) to discriminate between Cx. pipiens pipiens and Cx. torrentium. The CQ11 microsatellite locus was used for discrimination between Cpp. biotypes. The predominant mosquito species in investigated regions were Cx. pipiens pipiens biotype pipiens, but we also detected Culex pipiens pipiens biotype molestus and hybrids of the two pipiens biotypes, as well as Cx. torrentium. The results of this study represent the first certain evidence of the presence of Cx. pipiens pipiens biotype molestus and hybrids between pipiens and molestus forms, and Cx. torrentium in Iran through a molecular identification approach. This report of a potentially important bridge vector for WNV might have key influence in the risk projections for WNV in Iran., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Beside numerous extensive studies on Anophelinae mosquitoes of Iran, little is known on Aedes species in the country and existing reports are dispersed. The objective of this study was to identify adults of Culicinae species occurring in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province, southeast of Iran, during 2012-2014. Mosquito collections were carried out three times (May-June, September, October-November) in four counties by Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) light traps and human landing catches outdoors and under bed nets baited with carbon dioxide. These trapping were carried out two consecutive nights during the field studies. Several mosquito collections were also conducted with aspirator and pyrethrum spray space catches during the day. A total of 1885 mosquitoes were collected, belonging to 10 species of genus Culex including Cx. pipiens Complex, Cx. laticinctus, Cx. sinaiticus, and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, one species of the genus Culiseta, Cs. longiareolata, and five species of the genus Aedes, Ae. caspius, Ae. vexans, Ae. detritus, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. unilineatus. Ae. vexans was the dominant species in the area (77.7%). During the study, seven Ae. unilineatus were collected in two villages near the city of Chabahar located in a coastal area; this is the first record for Iran and identification was confirmed by Cytochrome oxidase (COI) sequences analysis. Confirmation of the presence of Ae. unilineatus in the country raises the number of species of the genus Aedes to 12. The detection of this species reveals its probable establishment in the southeast of the country, which has implications for public health such as dengue and Zika infections and requires active entomological surveillance and implementation of adapted vector control measures in the area.

Background & Objectives: This paper presents the results of a study on ecological parameters including diversity indices applied on populations of Culicidae mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from three rural areas (Darvishan, Chalmardi and Khairabad) of Neka township in Mazandaran province, northern Iran., Methods: Adult and larval stages of mosquitoes were systematically sampled to obtain data required for measuring diversity of mosquitoes in these areas. Alfa and beta indices were analyzed to compare mosquito diversity. A total of 5270 specimens belonging to four genera and 14 different species were collected and identified., Results: Evaluation of dominance structure of species showed that culicid mosquitoes of Neka rangelands include one eudominant species, two dominant species, two subdominant species, two rare species and eight subrare species when Heydemann classification was used., Interpretation & Conclusion: Data analysis revealed a higher diversity of mosquitoes in Khairabad with a low degree of interspecific dominance, while Darvishan and Chalmardi recorded the lowest observed diversity and a high degree of interspecific dominance. The cluster analysis based on Jaccard's index indicated the relationship between the categories and indicates that Darvishan and Khairabad are the closest categories in their specific composition.

Background & Objectives: This study aims at studying mosquito-borne diseases as the major public health threat in Iran. Sanandaj outskirts are considered suitable habitats for mosquito larvae. In view of scanty reports on mosquito-borne disease implementation in this area, a study was undertaken to determine the mosquito fauna and frequency of mosquito larvae at Sanandaj City., Methods: In order to study the mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) fauna, the samples were collected from May to July 2009 using dipping and night catch methods in Sanandaj district, Kurdistan province, western Iran., Results: Three genera and 11 species of the Culicinae subfamily were identified--Aedes vexans Meigen, Ochlerotatus caspius s.l. Pallas (indicating new occurrence records for the province), Culex hortensis Ficalbi, Cx. pipiens Linnaeus, Cx. mimeticus Noe, Cx. theileri Theobald, Culiseta longiareolata Macquart, and Cs. subochrea Edwards., Interpretation & Conclusion: Present study revealed that Ae. vexans and Ochlerotatus caspius s.l caught had not been previously recorded in Kurdistan province, highlighting the deficient knowledge of the fauna and distribution of Culicinae mosquitoes of this part of Iran.