[New records and epidemiological potential of certain species of mosquito (Diptera, Culicidae) in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil].

INTRODUCTION Entomological surveillance has proven to be an important strategy for monitoring culicidae fauna, aimed at predicting the risk of exposure to pathogen vector species. The present work reports species identified for the first time in the State Rio Grande do Sul and discusses the epidemiological potential displayed by mosquito species occurring in Maquiné municipality and in other regions of the State. METHODS Mosquitoes were collected with Nasci vacuum and CDC light traps between December 2006 and December 2008, in the wild, rural and urban areas of Maquiné. RESULTS Fifty-five species were verified, of which 22 were registered for the first time in the state and 10 are potential vector species for the Saint Louis, Oropouche, Aura, Trocara, Ilhéus, Rocio, Una, West Nile, and eastern equine encephalitis viruses. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate the importance of entomological surveillance as a tool for gathering information and promoting Health Surveillance actions.