Another new mosquito species has made its way across the tropics into Florida, making a permanent home in at least three counties. Scientists are concerned because of the rate of new mosquitoes arriving in Florida and the potential for them to transmit mosquito-borne diseases.
A mosquito known only by its scientific name, Culex lactator, is the latest to establish in the Sunshine State, according to a new study published in theThiswas first discovered in Miami-Dade County in 2018 by UF/IFAS faculty while they hunted for other nonnative mosquitoes. Since then, thriving populations have been recorded in Miami-Dade, Collier and Lee counties. Scientists are concerned there hasn't been enough research on the species and their potential disease risk.
Globally, there are more than 3,600 types of mosquitoes. When a new mosquito is found in Florida, it could be any of these species. Reeves and his team used DNA analysis and other tools to not only discover they had found a new mosquito species, but to identify it as Culex lactator. "It's too early to know whether Culex lactator will exacerbate these challenges, but the implications are often difficult to predict because not all mosquito species are equally capable of transmitting a particular virus or other pathogen," said Reeves.
Currently, Culex lactator is known to live in Collier County—south and west of Naples—Lee County, west of Fort Myers, and in the Homestead area of Miami-Dade County, though it may have also spread elsewhere in the state, said Reeves.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cut emissions quickly to save lives, scientists warn in a new U.N. reportCutting greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and immediately will save lives, livelihoods and ecosystems around the world, scientists say. And there are lots of ways to go about it.
Read more »
Cut emissions quickly to save lives, scientists warn in a new U.N. reportCutting greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and immediately will save lives, livelihoods and ecosystems around the world, scientists say. And there are lots of ways to go about it.
Read more »
Cut Emissions Quickly To Save Lives, Scientists Warn In A New UN ReportCutting greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and immediately will save lives, livelihoods and ecosystems around the world, scientists say. And there are lots of ways to go about it.
Read more »
Cut emissions quickly to save lives, scientists warn in a new U.N. reportThe planet faces an increasingly dire situation, according to a report reviewed by more than 200 UN delegates, with climate change already disrupting daily life around the world.
Read more »
New method that lights up tumors could help scientists detect and remove themThe new technique will help differentiate between cancer tumors and healthy cells by providing a visual map of tumors using fluorescent dyes.
Read more »