Changing distributions of the cosmopolitan mosquito species Culex quinquefasciatus Say and endemic Cx. pervigilans Bergroth (Diptera: Culicidae) in New Zealand

New Zealand has 13 endemic mosquito species, which are predominantly bird-biters, exhibiting low levels of vector competence, and are adapted to their native ecosystems. Anthropogenic land-use change are well-suited to domesticated exotic species that have already established here. While some endemic species, such as Culex pervigilans, can also be found vutilising such environments, there are indications of population decline and displacement. The cosmopolitan Cx. quinquefasciatus has been established in New Zealand for more than 180 years, and was believed to be confined to the warmer, northern regions. However, biosecurity records of obtained specimens collected by the National Mosquito Surveillance Program, at various points of entry (POE) for goods and international travel, suggest an expansion of this range. Changes in the distributions of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. pervigilans over the last fifteen years in New Zealand, are evaluated herein, with the conclusion that Cx. quinquefasciatus is increasing both in distribution and population density over time, and should be considered an invasive species. Evidence of a southward spread is likely a result of anthropogenic environmental changes particularly favourable to Cx. quinquefasciatus. A trend of considerable ecological and public health importance. Similarly clear effects on urban Cx. pervigilans populations were not observed.

新西兰拥有13种特有蚊种（endemic mosquito species），这类蚊种主要以鸟类为吸血宿主，媒介效能（vector competence）较低，且已适应其原生生态系统。人为土地利用变化非常适宜已在当地定殖的家栖外来蚊种。尽管部分特有蚊种（比如环跗库蚊（Culex pervigilans））也可利用这类人工改造的生境，但有迹象显示其种群出现下降和被取代的情况。广布性致倦库蚊（Culex quinquefasciatus）已在新西兰定殖超过180年，此前被认为仅分布在气候较为温暖的北部区域。不过，由国家蚊虫监测计划（National Mosquito Surveillance Program）在各类货物与国际旅行入境口岸（points of entry, POE）采集的生物安全标本记录显示，该蚊种的分布范围正在扩张。本文评估了过去15年间新西兰致倦库蚊与环跗库蚊的种群分布变化，得出结论：致倦库蚊的分布范围与种群密度均随时间推移持续上升，应将其视为入侵物种。该蚊种向南扩散的迹象，大概率是人为环境变化所致——这类变化恰好对致倦库蚊极为有利，这一趋势具有重要的生态学与公共卫生学意义。而城市环境中的环跗库蚊种群则未出现类似的显著变化。