<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT"%> Ochlerotatus (Oclerotatus) camptorhynchus

Ochlerotatus (Ochlerotatus) camptorhynchus (Thomson, 1869)

southern salt marsh mosquito

Confirm the identification - species not present throughout New Zealand

New Zealand Status: Introduced and being eradicated, see New Zealand Ministry of Health Exotic Mosquitoes

The presence of camptorhynchus in New Zealand was discovered in 1998 after Napier residents complained of vicious biting by a mosquito. An intensive eradication programme began in January 1999 (Eberhart-Phillips 1999) and continued using BTI and later S-methoprene (Cook et al. 2002). Infestations discovered since this time are probably established populations not previously detected (Cook et al. 2002).

Vector and Disease Information

Ochlerotatus camptorhynchus is said to be a vector of Murray Valley encephalitis, Barmah forest disease and Ross River virus. Though it has not brought any of these diseases to NZ, Ross River virus has been isolated from this species in temperate Victoria and Tasmania. The presence of this mosquito in New Zealand therefore increases the risk of an outbreak of Ross River virus here (Cook et al. 2002). Disease from Ross River virus infection ranges from mild flu-like symptoms to debilitating joint pains (Eberhart-Phillips 1999).

Distribution

New Zealand Distribution Map

Australasian Distribution Map

Australasian Biogeographic Region
PRESENT; INTRODUCED.
New Zealand - Ochlerotatus camptorhynchus became established just north of Napier in December 1998.

New Zealand population discovery timeline (Gilbert 2002; New Zealand Ministry of Health Media Release.)

December 1998	July 2000	October 2000	October 2000	February 2001	April 2001	March 2002	May 2004
Hawke's Bay	Gisborne	Hawke's Bay	Hawke's Bay	Northland	Northland	Northland	Marlborough
Napier	Wherowhero Lagoon near Muriwai and Sponge Bay, Gisborne	Maungawhio Lagoon, Mahia	Porangahau	Kaipara and Whangaparaoa	Mangawhai	Whitford	Wairau estuary
Eradicated	Eradicated	Eradicated			Eradicated	Eradicated

PRESENT; ENDEMIC.
Australia - New South Wales (Lee et al. 1984), South Australia (Lee et al. 1984), Tasmania (Dobrotworsky 1966), Victoria (Lee et al. 1984), Western Australia (Lindsay et al. 1995).

Rest of the World
NOT PRESENT.

Taxonomic Position

Ochlerotatus camptorhynchus is placed in Section camptorhynchus of subgenus Ochlerotatus, which also includes nivalis.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis is the minimum set of characters and states that will separate this taxon from all others in this set of taxa.

Diagnostic characters	State
Postspiracular setae	Present
Pale scales of proboscis	Widespread or in a patch, not forming a band
Pale scales on the wings	Absent, wings completely dark scales
Tarsi of hind legs	Distinct white-scaled bands on at least some segments

Characteristic Features

A darkish mosquito with banded legs. Head: proboscis dark and mottled with pale scales. Legs: hind legs with pale basal bands. Abdomen: tergites with pale basal bands of scales, often of greater width medially (Russell 1993).