Mosquito species from South America discovered in Florida

Culex lactator.
(Image credit: Lawrence Reeves/University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences)

A new species of mosquito has made its way to Florida and it could spell trouble. Known as the Culex lactator, the species is normally found in Central and South America, NPR reports. "There are about 90 mosquito species living in Florida, and that list is growing as new mosquito species are introduced to the state from elsewhere in the world," said lead author of the study Lawrence Reeves of the University of Florida.

The species was first found in Miami-Dade County in 2018 and subsequently spread to more counties in Southwest Florida. The Culex group of mosquitos is also known to spread diseases including the West Nile virus. Scientists are researching whether the lactator can cause disease spread in the region.

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Devika Rao, The Week US

 Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.