First Records of Coquillettidia (Coquillettidia) richiardii and Culex (Culex) perexiguus/univittatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes in Galicia (Northwest Spain)

TL;DR

This study reports the first sightings of two mosquito species in Galicia, Spain, highlighting their potential health risks and the need for continued surveillance.

Contribution

The first documented records of Coquillettidia richiardii and Culex perexiguus/univittatus in Galicia, Spain.

Findings

Three females of Coquillettidia richiardii and one female of Culex perexiguus/univittatus were found in Galicia.

The mosquitoes were collected in areas with Mediterranean climates, suggesting potential habitat suitability.

The presence of these species highlights the need for ongoing vector surveillance due to their role as disease vectors.

Abstract

Three females of Coquillettidia richiardii (Ficalbi, 1889) and one female of Culex perexiguus Theobald, 1903/Culex univitattus Theobald, 1901, were recorded for the first time in Galicia (Northwest Spain) during entomological surveillance carried out by the regional vector surveillance network (ReGaViVec) between 2018 and 2022. The specimens were collected from a livestock farm in a Csa (hot Mediterranean summer) climatic zone and a private yard in a Csb (warm Mediterranean summer) climatic zone, according to the Köppen classification. Both species are recognized vectors of pathogens with medical and veterinary implications, underscoring the importance of recording their presence. This study documents their distribution in the region, examines the factors contributing to their detection, and highlights the need for ongoing and systematic vector surveillance.

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