Distribution and larval habitats of Anophelinae (Diptera, Culicidae) in aquatic systems of the Valencian Autonomous Region (Spain)

The current and increasing problem of imported cases of Culicidae-transmitted diseases in Europe, together with the increasingly recurrent appearance of autochthonous cases of arboviruses in temperate latitudes and the history of areas previously endemic for them, have led to a great recovery in the research on these dipterans. The present study focuses on anopheline mosquitoes from Eastern Spain, – particularly from the Valencian Autonomous Region, which is a formerly endemic area of malaria. The geographical distribution as well as tolerance ranges to abiotic factors such as water temperature, salinity, pH and the altitude of the aquatic habitats occupied by their preimaginal stages are presented for the seven identified mosquito species of the genus Anopheles and subgenus Anopheles: Anopheles algeriensis Theobald, 1903; Anopheles atroparvus Van Thiel, 1927; Anopheles claviger (Meigen, 1804); Anopheles maculipennis s.s. Meigen, 1818; Anopheles marteri Senevet & Prunnelle, 1927; Anopheles petragnani Del Vecchio 1939 and Anopheles plumbeus Stephens, 1828. In this way, we have updated the knowledge on these species, which are considered potential vectors of malaria and other pathogens that cause disease at a local level in the studied area. Therefore, new insights of great consequence for the public health, epidemiology, entomology, ecology and pest control sectors are provided, which should be taken into consideration in surveillance and control programmes.