Aedes

Systematics and phylogeny

The genus was named by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1818. The generic name comes from the Ancient Greek ἀηδής, áēdḗs, meaning 'unpleasant' or 'odious'.

As historically defined, the genus contains more than 950 species (see the list of Aedes species). The genus has been divided into several subgenera (Aedes, Diceromyia, Finlaya, Stegomyia, etc.), most of which have been recently treated by some authorities as full genera. The classification was revised in 2009.

Characteristics

Aedes mosquitoes are visually distinctive because they have noticeable black and white banding and/or patches on their bodies and legs. Unlike most other mosquitoes, they are active and bite only during the daytime. The peak biting periods are early in the morning and in the evening before dusk.

As disease vectors

Members of the genus Aedes are known vectors for numerous viral infections, including dengue fever, yellow fever, the Zika virus, and chikungunya, which are transmitted by species in the subgenus Stegomyia such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus. Infections with these viruses are typically accompanied by a fever, and in some cases, encephalitis, which can lead to death. A vaccine to provide protection from yellow fever exists, and measures to prevent mosquito bites include insecticides such as DDT, mosquito traps, insect repellents, mosquito nets, and pest control using genetically modified insects. In Polynesia, the species Aedes polynesiensis is responsible for the transmission of human lymphatic filariasis.

Aedes can be detected and monitored by ovitraps.

Sequencing

The genome of the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) was sequenced by the Broad Institute and the Institute for Genomic Research. The initial assembly was released in August 2005; a draft sequence of the genome and preliminary analysis was published in June 2007. The annotated genome is available at VectorBase. An updated and improved version of the Aedes aegypti genome was released in 2018.

References

References

1. (2021). "Mosquitoes of the World". Johns Hopkins University Press.
2. (1987-05-29). "''Aedes albopictus'' in North America: Probable Introduction in Used Tires from Northern Asia". Science.
3. "''Aedes''". Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit.
4. (2013). "Stegomyia mosquitoes in Mayotte, taxonomic study and description of Stegomyia pia n. sp". Parasite.
5. (2013). "History of domestication and spread of ''Aedes aegypti'' - A Review". Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz.
6. (2004). "Phylogeny and classification of Aedini (Diptera: Culicidae), based on morphological characters of all life stages". [[Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society]].
7. (2009). "Phylogeny and classification of tribe Aedini (Diptera: Culicidae)". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
8. (24 October 2019). "Dengue and severe dengue". [[World Health Organization]].
9. (19 May 2021). "Dengue and severe dengue". [[World Health Organization]].
10. "CDC Transmission of Zika virus".
11. (2 February 2016). "PAHO Statement on Zika Virus Transmission and Prevention". Pan American Health Organization.
12. Fitzsimons, Tom. (11 March 2022). "EPA OKs plan to release 2.4 million more genetically modified mosquitoes". [[NBC News]].
13. (June 2007). "Genome sequence of ''Aedes aegypti'', a major arbovirus vector". Science.
14. "''Aedes aegypti''". VectorBase.
15. (November 2018). "Improved reference genome of ''Aedes aegypti'' informs arbovirus vector control". Nature.