Identification and Geographical Distribution of the Mosquitoes of North America, North of Mexico, 2nd Edition. By R. F. Darsie Jr. and R. A. Ward, pp. 416. University Press of Florida, USA, 2005. ISBN0 8130 2784 5. US$ 75.00.

Extract

This comprehensive and thorough work of scholarship is dedicated to the memory of the great American mosquito systematist and biologist, John N. Belkin. Based on an original volume by Carpenter and La Casse, the new authors have added a further 31 species and have revised the original keys. The morphological terms used for adults are substantially revised and they have adopted the chaetotaxy for immature stages developed by Belkin and his colleagues. Species names identified in the keys are followed by a plate number that refers to distribution maps, some of which cover up to 4 species. Following an introduction, a 6-page section on systematics lists new species added to the fauna since 1955, those species resurrected from synonomy and, interestingly, 9 exotic species introduced including the notorious ‘Asian Tiger Mosquito’ Aedes albopictus. This invader was first detected in 1985 and, 20 years later, is now present in 26 states of the Eastern USA. Ochlerotatus, a new genus recently raised from subgeneric status, is discussed briefly, and the authors comment on siblings now recognized through molecular evaluation, for example in the Anopheles quadrimaculatus group. An encouragement for those wrestling with elucidating such complexes is found in the final commentary on this group which notes that, although molecular markers are available, the 5 siblings are now recognized morphologically in all life-stages. The section provides a useful systematic index in tabular form to the Culicidae of the region and their zoogeographic distribution.

The main text begins with the morphology of adult female mosquitoes and is followed by illustrated keys to generic level and then detailed keys to the species of each genus. Similar treatment of the fourth instar larvae follows, again providing illustrated keys.

An extensive bibliography to the topic is provided at the end of the book, with over 800 references.

For the dedicated mosquito worshipper! This book is undoubtedly a must and with its beautifully illustrated keys sets a high standard to follow. It will also, no doubt, prove an attractive volume for more general medical entomologists and enthusiastic students of these irksome, dangerous and fascinating animals.