Morphological variation in invasive mosquito <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> Say (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae from an urban site in Auckland, New Zealand

Larvae of the invasive mosquito <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> Say are morphologically similar to those of the native <i>Culex pervigilans</i> Bergroth, yet distinguishing these species can be hampered by morphological variations in <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus.</i> We present detail about the extent of these variations in an urban population of <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus</i> in Auckland. To aid in identification of this exotic species, we provide images of key diagnostic characters and some observed exceptions to these. Details regarding variation in diagnostic characters for 90% of larvae, although these characters were not always visible. Other characters were less reliable, for instance, the expected position of seta 1a-S in relation to the pecten teeth was observed in &lt; 10% of larvae. Further exploration of regional morphological variation in both <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus</i> and <i>Cx. pervigilans</i> is recommended, ideally with associated molecular characterisation.