Mosquitoes of California

Entomologists Richard M. Bohart and Robert K. Washino of the UC Davis Department of Entomology authored the 164-page Mosquitoes of California (ANR Publication 4084), dealing with taxonomy and keys for 47 species, diseases, and zoogeography. Published in 1978, this is the third edition.

Foreword: "...this publication not only meets the needs of academic scientists concerned with the systematics, the biology, and disease relationships of mosquitoes, but it also provides an essential handbook for professionals who must identify and control these pests and disease vectors.

"The first edition of Mosquitoes of California by Stanley B. Freeborn was published in 1926. A landmark publication for the western United States, it treated 36 species, included extensive illustrations and keys, and provided information on mosquito biology...(but not) mosquitoes as disease vectors.

The second edition, written by Freeborn and R. M. Bohart, and published 25 years later, covered 40 species, expanded the taxonomical data with illustrative keys, and meticulously listed collection records.

The third edition, coming 25 years after its predecessor, now covers 47 species. Most importantly, however, it reflects the great advances made in our knowledge of mosquito biology and disease transmission."

The chapters include:

• Introduction
• Zoogeography of California mosquitoes
• Preparation of mosquitoes for collections
• External adult characters
• Key to adult females
• Keys to genera of California mosquitoes, based on male genitalia, including keys to males of Anopheles, Culiseta, Psorophora, Aeses and Culex
• Characters of early stages
• Key to larvae of California species of mosquitoes (including keys to larvae of California species of Aedes and Culex)
• Key to pupae of California mosquitoes
• Genus Anopheles Meigen
• Genus Coquillettidia Dyar
• Genus Culiseta Felt
• Genus Orthopodomyia Theobald
• Genus Psorophera Robineau-Desvoidy
• Genus Uranotaenia Lynch Arribalzaga
• Genus Aedes Meigen
• Genus Culex Linnaeus
• References
• Appendix: Index to genera and species of mosquitoes