{{Short description|Species of mosquito}} {{Speciesbox | image = Aedes notoscriptus.jpg | image_caption = ''Aedes notoscriptus'', commonly known as the Australian backyard mosquito | genus = Aedes | parent = Aedes (Rampamyia) | species = notoscriptus | authority = (Skuse, 1889) | synonyms = ''Ochlerotatus notoscriptus'' {{small|(Skuse, 1889)}} }}
'''''Aedes notoscriptus''''', commonly known as the '''Australian backyard mosquito''', is a species of mosquito native to Australia, and the southwestern Pacific islands, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, New Caledonia, and Indonesia. It has invaded New Zealand, where it was first identified from Auckland in the 1918–19 summer, and has been introduced to Southern California, where it was first detected in 2014. This mosquito is recognized for its aggressive daytime biting behavior and its role as a vector for several diseases, such as dog heartworm (''Dirofilaria immitis''), Ross River virus, and Barmah Forest virus.
== Taxonomy == ''Aedes notoscriptus'' belongs to the genus ''Aedes'' within the subgenus ''Rampamyia''. It was first described by entomologist Frederick A. Askew Skuse in 1889 based on specimens from New South Wales, Australia.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Skuse |first=Frederick A. |date=1889 |title=Description of a new species of mosquito from New South Wales |journal=Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales |volume=4 |pages=171–173|doi=10.5962/bhl.part.15042 }}</ref> Historically, it has been classified under the synonym ''Ochlerotatus notoscriptus'' due to taxonomic revisions within the tribe Aedini, though it is now widely recognized under its original name.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Reinert |first1=John F. |last2=Harbach |first2=Ralph E. |last3=Kitching |first3=Ian J. |date=2004 |title=Phylogeny and classification of Aedini (Diptera: Culicidae), based on morphological characters of all life stages |journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=142 |issue=3 |pages=289–368 |doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00137.x}}</ref>
== Description == ''Aedes notoscriptus'' is a small to medium-sized mosquito distinguished by its "spotty" appearance. It features clusters of bright-white scales on the ends of its palps and across the lateral thorax. The proboscis is dark with a median pale ring, and the scutum displays lyre-shaped lateral silvery lines, narrow median silvery lines, and anterior sublateral golden lines of scales. Its wings are entirely dark-scaled dorsally, and the legs exhibit pale scale markings on the femora and tibiae.<ref name=WRBU>{{Cite web |title=Aedes notoscriptus |url=https://wrbu.si.edu/vectorspecies/mosquitoes/notoscriptus |website=Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit |access-date=2023-10-01}}</ref> These morphological traits aid in its identification among other ''Aedes'' species.
== Distribution == ''Aedes notoscriptus'' is native to Australia, and the southwestern Pacific islands, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, New Caledonia, and Indonesia.<ref name="Metzger et al. 2022">{{Cite journal |last1=Metzger |first1=Marco E. |last2=Wekesa |first2=J. Wakoli |last3=Kluh |first3=Susanne |last4=Fujioka |first4=Kenn K. |last5=Saviskas |first5=Robert |last6=Arugay |first6=Aaron |last7=McConnell |first7=Nathan |last8=Nguyen |first8=Kiet |last9=Krueger |first9=Laura |last10=Hacker |first10=Gregory M. |last11=Hu |first11=Renjie |last12=Kramer |first12=Vicki L. |display-authors=3 |date=January 2022 |title=Detection and Establishment of ''Aedes notoscriptus'' (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes in Southern California, United States |journal=Journal of Medical Entomology |volume=59 |issue=1 |pages=66–77 |doi=10.1093/jme/tjab165 |pmc=8755992 |pmid=34617571 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In Australia, it is widespread and commonly found in both urban and rural areas.<ref name=OX>{{Cite journal |last1=Watson |first1=Tonya M. |last2=Kay |first2=Brian H. |date=July 1999 |title=Vector Competence of Aedes notoscriptus (Diptera: Culicidae) for Barmah Forest Virus and of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) for Dengue 1–4 Viruses in Queensland, Australia |journal=Journal of Medical Entomology |volume=36 |issue=4 |pages=508–514 |doi=10.1093/jmedent/36.4.508 |pmid=10467781 |s2cid=46091677 |doi-access=free}}</ref> It has invaded and established in New Zealand, where it was first identified from Auckland in the 1918–19 summer. It has been suggested that it might have arrived in ship water supplies.<ref name=NZE>{{Cite journal |last1=Laird |first1=Marshall |last2=Easton |first2=Jenny M. |date=1994 |title=''Aedes notoscriptus'' (Diptera: Culicidae) in Wellington Province |journal=New Zealand Entomologist |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=14–17 |doi=10.1080/00779962.1994.9721979 |bibcode=1994NZEnt..17...14L |issn=0077-9962 |s2cid=86014276}}</ref> The species has established invasive populations in Southern California since its detection in 2014, likely introduced via international trade or travel, and has spread across multiple counties.<ref name="Metzger et al. 2022"/>
== Behavior == ''Aedes notoscriptus'' is a diurnal feeder, exhibiting aggressive biting behavior, particularly in shaded areas during the daytime and especially at dusk.<ref name=NZE/> It has a broad host range, feeding on humans, dogs, brushtail possum, birds, cats, and flying foxes, which enhances its capacity to transmit various pathogens across species.<ref name=WRBU/> Its adaptability to urban environments and preference for shaded habitats make it a common nuisance in residential areas.
== Ecology == This mosquito breeds in container habitats, utilizing both natural and artificial water sources. Natural breeding sites include tree holes, bamboo stumps, and rock pools, while artificial sites encompass roof gutters, cement containers, and discarded items that hold water.<ref name=OX/> Its life cycle—from egg to larva, pupa, and adult—varies with temperature, averaging 11 days in summer and 20 days in winter in Brisbane, Australia.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Watson | first1 = T. M. | last2 = Marshall | first2 = K. L. | last3 = Kay | first3 = B. H. | title = Colonization and laboratory biology of ''Aedes notoscriptus'' from Brisbane, Australia | journal = Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association | volume = 16 | issue = 2 | pages = 138–142 | date = June 2000 | pmid = 10901637 }}</ref> This adaptability to diverse breeding sites contributes to its success in urban settings.
== Medical significance == ''Aedes notoscriptus'' is a significant disease vector. It is the primary vector of dog heartworm (''Dirofilaria immitis'') in Australia, posing a threat to canine health.<ref name="Metzger et al. 2022"/> It also transmits Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus, both of which cause notable human morbidity in Australia, characterized by fever, rash, and joint pain.<ref name=OX/> Laboratory studies have demonstrated its competence to transmit additional viruses, including Japanese encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, West Nile, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses, though its role in natural transmission of these pathogens is less clear.<ref name=WRBU/> Conversely, it is an inefficient vector for dengue and Zika viruses, limiting its significance in their spread.<ref name="Metzger et al. 2022"/>
== Control measures == Controlling ''Aedes notoscriptus'' populations involves eliminating standing water to prevent larval development, applying larvicides to breeding sites, and using adulticides to reduce adult numbers.<ref name="Metzger et al. 2022"/> Public health initiatives include surveillance to track its spread, particularly in invasive regions like Southern California, and community efforts to remove potential breeding sites, such as water-holding containers around homes.<ref name="Metzger et al. 2022"/> These strategies are critical in mitigating its impact on human and animal health.
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://wrbu.si.edu/vectorspecies/mosquitoes/notoscriptus ''Aedes notoscriptus'' at Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit]
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notoscriptus Category:Insects described in 1889 Category:Insects of Australia Category:Flies of New Zealand Category:Flies of Australasia