169 - Unwanted and Uninvited: Culex (Phenacomyia) lactator, a New Mosquito Species in Broward County, Florida

Abstract: South Florida keeps adding to its list of invasive species. This time a new species of mosquito called Culex (Phenacomyia) lactator (Diptera: Culicidae) was found in Broward County. This mosquito, native to Central and South America, was discovered during routine surveillance by Broward County Mosquito Control staff. Reports of Cx. lactator in adjacent and nearby counties, repeated collections across all life stages, the distance between the locations, and the short time elapsed between the respective detections suggests that this species may be more widespread in the area. During this presentation I will discuss the larval ecology, adult collections, and photographic description this new species in our county.