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The mosquito fauna of Oklahoma has not been evaluated since 1965 and no report has been published concerning species associated with urban areas in the state. Mosquito collections were conducted as part of the West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance program between April and November from 2003 to 2006, using standard collection methods. A total of 74,756 adults were collected in 26 urban centers in 16 counties of Oklahoma. Altogether, 40 species were recorded during this study period, bringing the total mosquito species recorded in Oklahoma to 62 species in 9 different genera and 18 subgenera. An updated checklist of Oklahoma mosquito fauna is included with a comparison to historical records. New state records include 3 species: Aedes muelleri, Anopheles perplexens, and Culex coronator. In addition to updating the checklist, 12 species of mosquitoes were tested for WNV. Pools of Culex pipiens complex represented the highest proportion testing positive for WNV (134/766, 17.5%), followed by Cx. tarsalis (13/192, 6.8%) and Aedes albopictus (5/215, 2.3%). West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes were detected earliest in June 2005 and latest in November 2004. Infected Cx. pipiens complex testing positive for WNV were more prevalent in the eastern and central areas of Oklahoma, whereas positive Cx. tarsalis were found mainly in the western areas of the state. This distinct geographical difference needs to be monitored and followed up to ensure optimal mosquito control efforts in Oklahoma communities with mosquito control capabilities.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) are arthropod ectoparasites dependent on a bloodmeal from a vertebrate host at each developmental stage for completion of their life cycle. This tick feeding cycle impacts animal health by causing damage to hides, secondary infections, immune reactions and diseases caused by transmission of pathogens. The genus Ixodes includes several medically important species that vector diseases, including granulocytic anaplasmosis and Lyme disease. I. scapularis, commonly called the black-legged or deer tick, is a medically-important tick species in North America and therefore was the first tick genome to be sequenced, thus serving as an important resource for tick research. This Primer focuses on the normal developmental cycle and laboratory rearing of I. scapularis. Definition of normal morphology, along with a consistent source of laboratory-reared I. scapularis, are fundamental for all aspects of future research, especially the effects of genetic manipulation and the evaluation of tick vaccine efficacy. Recent research important for the advancement of tick research, namely the development of tick cell culture systems for study of ticks and tick-borne pathogens, RNA interference for genetic manipulation of ticks and discovery of candidate antigens for development of tick vaccines, are briefly presented along with areas to target for future research.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1185-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

In spring 2017, mosquito larvae were collected from 25 sites across eastern Oklahoma as part of a Zika virus vector surveillance effort. Aedes japonicus japonicus larvae were collected from horse troughs at 2 sites in Ottawa County, OK. Identification was made using 1 larva stored in 70% ethanol and 3 adult females reared from the larvae. Another invasive mosquito species, Culex coronator, was detected at 2 different sites, adding 2 additional counties to the 9 where the species had been previously reported. The presence of these invasive species in Oklahoma may have an impact on future regional arbovirus concerns. KEY WORDS Aedes japonicus japonicus, Asian bush mosquito, Culex coronator, rural surveillance, West Nile virus Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald), the Asian bush mosquito, is a species associated with rock pools, tree holes, and artificial containers throughout the world (Kampen and Werner 2014). Previously found in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and parts of Russia and China, this species has successfully invaded and become established in many regions of the world since 1993 (Kampen and Werner 2014). Invasion of the USA was first detected in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut in 1998. By 2012, Ae. japonicus had been collected in most states east of the Mississippi River (except Louisiana), and movement was detected into the Great Plains states (Iowa, Missouri) (Kaufman and Fonseca 2014). The invasion of southern US states happened later than the northern US states, with Arkansas (2010) and Mississippi (2011) being the most recent states to report occurrence. To date, no occurrence of Ae. japonicus has been reported in Oklahoma or Texas. In the USA, Ae. japonicus is not considered a major vector of pathogens that affect humans or animals. Field-collected mosquitoes have been detected with West Nile virus (Sardelis and Turell 2001) and La Crosse encephalitis virus (US) (Sardelis et al. 2002b), while the species has demonstrated competency in the laboratory for Japanese encephalitis virus (Asia) (Takashima and Rosen, 1989), St. Louis encephalitis virus (Sardelis et al. 2003), eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (Sardelis et al. 2002a), Rift Valley fever virus (Turell et al. 2013), and chikungunya and dengue viruses

Many species of ixodid ticks in the United States are parasitic on cattle and pose a threat to veterinary and public health for those engaged in occupations in pasturelands. While encountered often, nymphs and larvae of the most common tick species can be difficult to identify, yet research associated with tick ecology and epidemiology of tick-borne infection requires proper identification. High-quality images were prepared of the larval and nymphal stages of the most common species of ticks in Oklahoma pastures: larvae of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (Linnaeus), Gulf coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum Koch, winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus (Packard), American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say, and brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latrielle); and nymphs of A. americanum, A. maculatum, D. variabilis, I. scapularis, and R. sanguineus. A dichotomous key and pictorial guide for each life stage were prepared.