Florida Battling Spread of Invasive Mosquito Species

A new mosquito species, Culex lactator, has established in at least three counties in Florida, raising concerns about the potential for it to transmit mosquito-borne diseases. Scientists are worried about the rate of new mosquitoes arriving in Florida and the lack of research on their potential disease risk. Culex lactator is a member of the Culex group of mosquitoes, which includes important species that transmit the West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses, but it is unclear whether Culex lactator will contribute to the transmission of these viruses in Florida. Florida's proximity to the tropics and climate conditions make it ideal for nonnative mosquito species, and researchers stress the importance of monitoring for Culex lactator as it is likely to spread within the state into areas that are environmentally suitable.