First Record of Culex Coronator in Virginia, with Notes on Its Rapid Dispersal, Trapping Methods, and Biology.

Abstract

Culex coronator is a Neotropical mosquito species that was first described in Trinidad in the early 20th century. Since then, the species has been discovered from Patagonia to the southern USA. A single adult female Cx. coronator was collected on November 1, 2016, in Suffolk, VA, in a BG-Sentinel 2® trap during routine mosquito surveillance. This represents the 1st record of this species in the state of Virginia and the northernmost record in the USA. Based on male specimens examined from Texas and Mississippi, Cx. coronator sensu stricto seems to be the only species from the complex expanding into the southeastern USA. A comprehensive review of the available literature from the southern and southeastern USA is provided describing trapping methods, ecological, and biological information.