A University of Florida researcher has documented a mosquito species never before recorded in the United States.
In a release, researchers with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) said they identified Aedes amateuri in southeastern Arizona’s Madrean Sky Islands, a rugged region of isolated mountain ranges surrounded by desert.
The area is surrounded by a “sea” of desert, and it’s known for its unusual biological diversity, said lead author Lawrence Reeves.
Researchers Find Rare Species in Arizona
The species had previously been recorded only in Mexico.
Researchers first found one specimen in Arizona’s Santa Rita Mountains and 19 in the Dragoon Mountains in 2022. During return trips in July and August 2026, they also collected specimens in the Peloncillo Mountains, within a mile of the New Mexico border.
Scientists say the mosquito may have an established population in the region or may represent a recent northward expansion from Mexico.
Its habitat makes it difficult to detect; The mosquito’s immature stages develop in temporary pools that form only after sufficient monsoon rainfall.
No Evidence of Public Health Threat
Little is known about Aedes amateuri, experts explain, including whether it can transmit disease.
Researchers say there is currently no evidence that it poses a public health threat. However, the species feeds on humans and large mammals, including deer, making continued monitoring important.
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“This discovery shows how important it is to remain vigilant in monitoring mosquitoes,” said Lawrence Reeves, an assistant professor of entomology at UF/IFAS.
UF Researchers Track Mosquitoes Nationwide
The discovery highlights the work of UF/IFAS’ Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, whose researchers study mosquitoes, their impacts and their control across state lines and national borders.
Since 1999, eight mosquito species not previously recorded in the mainland United States have been detected in the country. UF/IFAS faculty have been involved in identifying six of them.
The study was published in the Journal of Medical Entomology.