More mosquitoes: Discovering new species

While it's always exciting to learn about new bird or animal species, people aren't that excited to know about new kinds of insects.

It's especially true for mosquitoes, because most people genuinely dislike them. Meanwhile, they can play a huge environmental role.

Let's find out more about a new type of mosquitoes that has been discovered recently.

Discovering new species

A new kind of mosquito, called Culex modestus, was found in Finland, making it the 44th type of mosquito in the country. 

This discovery by researcher Lorna Culverwell in the coastal area of Pori is the northernmost record of this mosquito species in Europe. 

The closest findings were in Russia and Sweden, but further south. 

The discovery was made by examining mosquito samples collected in the summer of 2022. 

Only one mosquito of this kind was found, but the researcher thinks there might be more.

Culex modestus is known for spreading the West Nile virus, a type of illness, in southern Europe. 

However, there is currently no West Nile virus in Finland. Culverwell says that Finns don't need to worry about this mosquito discovery for now. 

Still, it's important to know about different mosquito species to understand if they can carry diseases. 

This finding helps scientists learn more about potential diseases mosquitoes could spread.

Culverwell has collected many mosquito samples in Finland since 2012. 

We need more information

She believes further research is needed to understand the short-term and long-term effects of this discovery. 

Studying mosquitoes is essential because climate change may bring new mosquito species to Finland, and some of them might carry diseases.
 

• Related news:
• mosquitoes
• research
• varieties
• insects
• 17 November 2023

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