Wing geometric morphometrics and COI barcoding of Culex pipiens subgroup in the Republic of Korea

Two members of the Culex pipiens subgroup, Culex pallens and Culex pipiens
f. molestus, are known to occur in the Republic of Korea (ROK). These
species exhibit morphologically similar features and are challenging to
distinguish below the species level. Therefore, this study utilized wing
geometric morphometrics (GM) on the right wing of the Culex pipiens
subgroup, alongside sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI)
region. Mosquitoes were collected from 11 locations between June and
October to minimize regional and seasonal variations. Additionally, Culex
pipiens f. pipiens, which is not native to the ROK, was included in the
analysis. Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Aedes albopictus, and Anopheles
sinensis, the primary vectors in the ROK, were used as outgroups for
comparison. All three taxa within the Culex pipiens subgroup could be
identified with an 82.4%–97.0% accuracy using GM. However, a comparison of
the COI regions of the Culex pipiens subgroup revealed no clear
differences between the taxa. These data can be used for accurate
identification, contributing to effective mosquito control, in addition to
providing a foundation for evolutionary and ecological studies on wing
shape differences.