Mosquito Culex cedecei Stone and Hair (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. Culex cedecei is a mosquito endemic to Florida, and a member of the Spissipes section of the subgenus Melanoconion of Culex. Several members of the Spissipes section are important vectors of enzootic subtypes of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). Everglades virus (EVEV) is subtype II of VEEV in Florida, for which Culex cedecei is the primary enzootic vector. Culex cedecei is typically found in forested wetlands of southern Florida, ranging from mangrove swamps to hardwood hammocks and lowland pine ecosystems (Hoyer et al., 2019). Larvae of Culex cedecei develop in limestone solution holes, and abandoned crab burrows in a variety of habitats. Although Culex cedecei is not generally considered a pest of humans, it feeds primarily on muroid rodents (rats and mice), which are important hosts of EVEV in Florida. Culex cedecei is therefore considered a vector of a zoonotic pathogen that can affect human health.