Brief/Short Communication: New Record of Culex Poicilipes from Saudi Arabia (Jazan Region)

Abstract

This record represents the first report for adult Culex poicilipes from Saudi Arabia (a farm near Albahir village of Sabya Governate, Jazan region southwest of Saudi Arabia, N: 42.58810, E:17.121738) was noted. This was occurred during a routine surveillance for adult mosquitoes in February 2021 carried out by Sabya vector control station and the laboratory of vector-borne diseases, Saudi Public Health Authority. With this new record, the number of Culex mosquito species known to occur in Jazan region increases to 19 while for Saudi Arabia to 20. Similarly, the total number of mosquito species known to occur in Saudi Arabia increases to 50.This record necessitates conducting more researches on the biology and bionomics of Culex poicilipes under local conditions, as well as complementing the morphological identification with molecular characterizations and gene diversity. The possible role of the species in pathogens transmission, especially West Nile and Rift Valley fever viruses, should also be investigated.

Keywords: Culex poicilipes, New record, Saudi Arabia, Jazan region

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-4-03

Publication date: April 30^th 2021