Gonoactivity of Culex (Culex) (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes During Winter in Temperate Argentina

Abstract The subgenus Culex L. includes species involved in summer–autumn arbovirus transmission but studies during winter are scarce temperate Argentina. Female specimens were collected host-seeking at dry-ice-baited traps autumn–winter–spring two sites Córdoba City 2016 and 2017. morphologically identified dissected to determine the follicular developmental stage (gonotrophic activity). Females with advanced stages (≥III) subjected molecular procedures confirm or re-identify previous morphological identification. Five (Culex apicinus Philippi (Diptera: Culicidae), dolosus (Lynch-Arribálzaga) maxi Dyar pipiens quinquefasciatus Say Culicidae)) found gonoactive winter; showing that a high proportion of (Culex) females remain reproductively active unfavorable season for mosquito populations. Among them, it is worth noting collection Cx. quinquefasciatus, vector St. Louis encephalitis virus (endemic city), specimen p. pipiens, hybrid pipiens/Cx. (during autumn). study this community should continue because female was found: 29.12 13.07% 2017, respectively. Local such as one provide evidence about ornithophilic year-round life cycles, could favor overwintering.