Introduction:

Many mosquitoes are of great medical and veterinary importance because they transmit numerous pathogens which cause diseases in animals and humans; thus, knowing their taxonomy and distribution is pivotal for implementing the correct control strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of mosquito species and their distribution in La Comarca Lagunera in the state of Durango, Mexico.

Method:

Adult mosquitoes were collected at different resting sites in four municipalities between August and November 2018 using Insectzookas. Aquatic habitats were also sampled for immature stages. Adult specimens were killed using lethal chambers with triethylamine vapors; while larvae and pupae were stored in individual tubes to obtain the adult stages and associated exuviae. All material was transported to the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Parasitology Department of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Unidad Laguna (UAAAN-UL) for mounting and taxonomical identification. Species were identified using taxonomic keys for the region.

Results:

In total, 689 mosquito specimens (286 males and 403 females) were collected belonging to 15 species, among them Anopheles franciscanus McCracken, Culex erythrothorax Dyar, and Toxorhynchites moctezuma (Dyar and Knab) are new records for Durango State. The most abundant species was Cx. quinquefasciatus Say with 364 (56.2%) specimens, followed by Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (21.3%) and Ae. vexans (Meigen) (7.7%).

Conclusion:

13 out of 15 species collected are associated with the transmission of an arbovirus of relevant medical or veterinary importance in Mexico. There are now 38 species recorded for Durango. The information in this study is directly relevant for the Health Ministry in Durango State for the control of vector borne diseases in the region.

        · resumo em Espanhol     · texto em Inglês     · Inglês ( pdf )