Rapid assays for identification of members of the Culex (Culex) pipiens complex, their hybrids, and other sibling species (Diptera: Culicidae)

Mosquitoes in the Culex (Culex) pipiens complex of species, known as vectors of periodic filariasis and deadly encephalitides, have recently emerged as important vectors of West Nile virus in the United States. Highly conserved morphology but marked differences in potential vectorial capacity require the development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based tests that unambiguously distinguish among the different species. We introduce and describe a series of PCR-based assays that use polymorphisms in the second intron of the acetylcholinesterase-2 (ace-2) locus for the identification of members of the Cx. pipiens complex (Cx. pipiens, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. p. pallens, Cx. australicus), two other species that are commonly mislabeled as Cx. pipiens (Cx. torrentium and Cx. pervigilans), as well as hybrids between Cx. pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus.