Mosquito diversity, abundance and phenology in Mexico City: A heavily urbanized environment

• Published in: Acta tropica 2024-12, Vol.260, p.107484, Article 107484
• Main Authors: Rodríguez-González, Stephany, Sánchez-Ochoa, Daniel, Huerta, Herón, Farfán-Beltrán, Manuel Edday, Córdoba-Aguilar, Alex
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aedes - classification; Aedes - growth & development; Aedes - physiology; Animals; Biodiversity; Cities; Culex - classification; Culex - growth & development; Culex - physiology; Culicidae - classification; Culicidae - growth & development; Culicidae - physiology; Diversity; Mexico; Mosquito Vectors - classification; Mosquito Vectors - growth & development; Mosquito Vectors - physiology; Mosquitoes; Phenology; Population Density; Seasons; Urbanization
• ISSN: 0001-706X; 1873-6254; 1873-6254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107484

•A study of mosquito diversity and richness was done in Mexico City from May 2023 to April 2024.•Culex accounted for 82.78% of mosquito abundance, with 6 species of medical importance.•Culex stigmatosoma and Cx. restuans were the most abundant from June to November.•Monthly fluctuations were detected with cemeteries emerging as the sites with the highest abundance•No Aedes aegypti or Ae. albopictus were detected during the sampling period. We need to understand how zoonotic diseases make their way in urbanized areas, and one way is via gathering well-structured temporal and spatial accounts of zoonotic disease vectors. Due to its large biotic and abiotic heterogeneity, Mexico City provides favorable environmental conditions for the proliferation of mosquitoes including vector species of medical importance. Hereby we present the results of one year sampling (May 2023-April 2024) in eight contrasting locations in Mexico City. In total, 4,861 mosquitoes belonging to 11 species were captured, with Culex stigmatosoma and Culex restuans emerging as the most dominant, while Anopheles aztecus, Culex erythrothorax and Aedes trivittatus were the least abundant. Monthly fluctuations in the composition and abundance of species were observed at each site, highlighting cemeteries as the places with the highest mosquito density, making them key areas for monitoring. This research should serve local health authorities to guide mosquito control strategies, and two key candidates are Culex quinquefasciatus and Cx. restuans, particularly from June to November which is when their abundance reaches a peak. [Display omitted]