New mosquito arrives, joining 90 other species making Florida their home

There's a new kid in town that's causing quite a buzz, and not in a good way.

Say hello to Culex lactator, the newest mosquito to find a home in the Sunshine State, according to a new study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology by faculty at the UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory

He's not alone.

There are about 90 types of mosquitoes living in Florida. If that's not enough to get you scratching, consider this: there are more than 3,000 mosquito species in the world, according to EcoLab.

More than 200 types of mosquitoes live in the U.S. and U.S. territories, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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How many non-native mosquitoes are in Florida?

 As many as 17 non-native mosquito species are established in the state, according to the study in Science Daily.

Eleven of 17 non-native species were first reported in the past two decades. Six were discovered during the last five years.

Florida's new mosquito is the Culex lactator

Scientists are concerned about the spread of a new mosquito species found "thriving" in at least three South Florida counties because it could transmit diseases such as West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis.

Culex lactator has been found in Lee, Collier and Miami-Dade counties so far.

"I expect it to spread throughout South Florida and northward along both coasts," said  Lawrence Reeves, a researcher at the University of Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach, whose team discovered the new species in Florida.

Does Florida's new mosquito transmit diseases?

The new Florida mosquito is a native to Central America and northern South America. It's a member of the Culex family of mosquitoes, which spreads diseases such as West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis.

Scientists don't know yet whether Culex lactator mosquitoes transmit the viruses in Florida.

How many types of mosquitoes are there in Florida?

“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  Lawrence Reeves, a researcher at the University of Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach, whose team discovered Culex lactator in the state.

How many diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes?

Of the 200 mosquitoes found in the U.S., about 12 types spread germs that can make people sick, the CDC said.

According to a-z-animals.com, mosquitoes are the deadliest animals in the world, killing an estimated 750,000 to 1 million humans every year. 

What are the most common diseases spread by mosquitoes?

 West Nile virus is one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases in the continental United States. Dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus outbreaks have occurred in US states and territories, including Florida.

How many viruses have been transmitted by mosquitoes in Florida?

• Chikungunya fever
• Dengue fever
• Eastern equine encephalitis
• St. Louis encephalitis 
• Rift Valley fever
• West Nile virus
• Zika
• Malaria
• Yellow fever

Symptoms of Chikungunya fever

An infected person with Chikungunya fever will typically become ill three to seven days after the mosquito bite, but symptoms can begin anywhere from two to 12 days post-bite, according to the Florida Department of Health. These symptoms can last 3-10 days. Those with the greatest risk for severe illness include newborn infants, those over 65 years of age, and those who have other health conditions.

There have been several local introductions of chikungunya into Florida in 2014. However, none of those introductions appears to have resulted in ongoing transmission or spread of the virus.

Symptoms may include:

• Sudden high fever (usually higher than 102) which may be continuous or intermittent
• Severe joint pain that commonly involves the hands and feet
• Joint swelling
• Back pain
• Rash usually 2-5 days after fever starts
• Other symptoms may include headache, body ache, nausea, vomiting, and redness around the eyes. In unusual cases, infection can involve the brain, eyes, heart, kidney and other organs.
• Fatal infections are rare, however many patients have chronic joint pain, arthritis, loss of energy and depression lasting weeks to years.

Symptoms of dengue fever

Mild symptoms of dengue can be confused with other illnesses that cause fever, aches and pains, or a rash, according to the CDC. Symptoms of dengue typically last two to seven days. Most people will recover after about a week.

Several cases are reported in Florida each year in people traveling to areas where the disease is present.  In 2009 -2010, an outbreak of dengue was identified in Key West. There was also a Martin County outbreak in 2013. In 2020, dengue transmission was detected in Key Largo.The most common symptom of dengue is fever with any of the following:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Rash
• Aches and pains (eye pain, typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain)

Symptoms of Eastern equine encephalitis

Symptoms of Eastern equine encephalitis develop three to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms can become more severe over the next two weeks, and infected individuals will either recover or show onset of encephalitis characterized by seizures, vomiting and neurological problems. 

Florida averages more than 60 reported cases of equine Eastern equine encephalitis each year.

Severe cases often suffer from coma or death. People under the age of 15 or over 50 seem to be at greatest risk for severe disease.  

Approximately 30% to 45% of people with encephalitis caused by the virus will die from the disease, making it one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States. Of those who recover, many will suffer lasting effects, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Symptoms include:

• Sudden onset of fever
• General muscle pains
• Headache of increasing severity

Symptoms of St. Louis encephalitis

Occasionally, an infected mosquito will bite a human, causing St. Louis encephalitis.   In 1990, there were 223 cases in Florida.  Symptoms appear 5 to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.  People over the age of 50 seem to be at greater risk for severe disease.

Symptoms:

Most infections aren't apparent but when symptoms occur they can range from:

• Fever with headache
• Meningitis
• Encephalitis
• Coma

Symptoms of Rift Valley fever

Rift Valley Fever is transmitted via mosquitoes to domestic livestock. Human infections can result from mosquito bites as well as direct or indirect contact with the blood or organs of infected animals and possibly from ingestion of raw milk.

Once a person is infected, the incubation period to the onset of illness is about two to six days. 

Although RVF is currently not present in Florida, the state of Florida has optimal conditions to support such a virus, the state Health Department said. 

Symptoms:

• Fever
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Muscle and joint pain

Symptoms of West Nile virus

West Nile virus causes mild to severe illness. It reached Florida in 2001. The virus is considered endemic in the U.S., with annual epidemics in some parts of the country, peaking in the late summer months.

Symptoms typically appear between two and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.  People over the age of 60 and individuals with weakened immune systems seem to be at increased risk for severe disease.

The state Department of Health issued several advisories regarding West Nile in 2022, with the latest being Hillsborough County in December, and St. Johns and Martin counties in November.

Symptoms:

• Headache
• Fever
• Pain
• Fatigue

Less than 1% of infected people develop the most severe form of disease, which may involve meningitis and encephalitis and can cause irreversible neurological damage, paralysis, coma or death.  

Zika can cause birth defects

• Symptoms:
• Fever
• Rash
• Joint pain
• Red eyes

Mosquito bites are the most common transmission type of Zika.

A pregnant woman infected with Zika can pass the Zika virus to her baby, which may cause birth defects including microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects.

What about malaria?

Malaria is one of the world's greatest public health problems. It infects approximately 219 million people each year.

P. falciparum and P. vivax were previously present in Florida, but was eradicated from the state in the late 1940s. Local transmission has occurred only rarely in recent years. There are 14 Anopheles mosquito species in Florida, all of which are potentially capable of transmitting malaria.

Malaria can be caused by four different types of parasites. Symptoms in most cases develop between seven and 30 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. One type can develop up to a year after exposure and if not treated properly can cause additional attacks.

Symptoms include:

• Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, sweats, headache, nausea and vomiting, body aches, and general malaise. 
• P. falciparum can cause severe and life-threatening disease.

What about yellow fever?

Yellow fever was previously a major public health concern in the United States and was responsible for several large outbreaks in Florida during the 1700's and 1800's. The last epidemic in North America occurred in New Orleans in 1905.

Symptoms:

After becoming infected, the incubation period of yellow fever is usually three to six days. After a brief recovery period, the infection can lead to shock, bleeding, and kidney and liver failure. Symptoms of severe infection are:

• High fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Vomiting
• Backache

Attempts made to control Florida mosquito populations

Epidemics of yellow fever and malaria in the late 1800s due to mosquitoes in Florida prompted statewide efforts to control the insects. The Florida Mosquito Control Association was created and by the mid-1920s its purpose was to combat mosquitoes and prevent further transmission of mosquito-borne disease.

Today, Florida has over 60 state-approved mosquito control programs, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Is there a mosquito season in Florida?

Florida's tropical climate means mosquitoes can be active every month of the year. Dawn and dusk are generally when mosquitoes are most active.

How can you keep mosquitoes away?

The following are some suggestions from the Florida Department of Health that can be taken to help prevent mosquito bites:

• Drain: water from any containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.
• Discard: Old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren't being used.
• Empty and clean: Birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.
• Protect: Boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don't accumulate water.
• Maintain: The chemistry of your swimming pool. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use. Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
• Clothing: If you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, cover up. Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long sleeves. We know, it's Florida and it's hot, but think about the itchy alternative.
• Repellent: Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, and IR3535 are effective. Use netting to protect children younger than 2 months.