The mosquitoes of Finland: updated distributions and bionomics

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) were collected in Finland between 2012 and 2018 to determine the species present and their distributions. In total, 52 466 specimens from 1031 collections formed the basis for the preparation of distribution maps for each of the 40 species that were collected.Anopheles maculipennis s.s.,An. claviger,Aedes geminusandOchlerotatus sticticusare confirmed on mainland Finland after previous records were uncertain or absent. Coquillettidia richiardii,Culiseta morsitans,Cs. ochroptera,Culex territans,Cx. torrentium,Oc. leucomelas,Oc. nigrinus,Oc. pullatusandOc. punctodesoccur more widely than previously reported. Three species,Ae. rossicus,Cs. subochreaandOc. cypriuswere not collected, althoughAe. rossicuswas subsequently found in Lapland by another researcher. No invasive species were collected.Ochlerotatus communis, an aggressive biter, was the most commonly encountered species. Larval collection data suggest that several species may have up to three generations per year in Finland, withCx. torrentiumandCx. pipienshaving at least two, andOc. communisandOc. punctorregularly found as larvae across the summer. These data, especially when coupled with historical records, are vital for monitoring species which have significant vector potential, particularly when faced with a warming climate.

Automated summary

This study investigated the species and distributions of mosquitoes in Finland from 2012 to 2018, identifying previously uncertain or absent species. It is vital for monitoring species with significant vector potential in the face of a warming climate.