Development of Preimaginal Stages of Haemagogus Leucocelaenus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

The genus Haemagogus (Diptera: Culicidae) comprises 28 species and four formally undescribed forms, which are broadly distributed throughout the Americas. Several species are considered of medical importance as they are responsible for transmitting the yellow fever virus (YFV) and other arboviruses. In Brazil, these species primarily inhabit areas of dense gallery forests. In this book, the nine species reported for Brazil are reviewed in terms of their geographical distribution, adult and immature biology, and medical importance, emphasizing their involvement in the transmission of the YFV and other arboviruses, as well as the potential role of Haemagogus species in the transmission of the dengue virus (DENV). Among the species identified as potential YFV transmitters, Hg. janthinomys stands out as the primary vector in the Americas. This vector competence is reinforced by its geographical distribution, which coincides with the endemic areas of the disease. Vast Neotropical regions, especially the Amazon and Northeast Brazil, need further research on Haemagogus and other sylvatic mosquitoes. The possible role of mosquitoes from this genus in the transmission of pathogens that cause arboviral diseases, such as Dengue, Yellow Fever, and Mayaro, needs to be further explored. Therefore, studies on the ecobiology and medical importance of Haemagogus and other sylvatic mosquitoes are fundamental. Experimental infection research, such as that conducted with Ae. aegypti and YFV should also be developed with Haemagogus spp. and DENV. In this regard, the information obtained in this book is presented in the form of articles addressing the following aspects: ecology, biology and morphology of the genus Haemagogus.