Mosquitoes (Culicidae) are among the most important vectors of pathogens, especially plasmodia, the pathogens that cause malaria. In Austria about 50 species of mosquitoes including the species complexes Culex pipiens and Anopheles maculipennis had been found, but molecular genetic confirmations are missing. Within this ongoing project, mosquitoes are analysed according to barcode criteria.

The ongoing climate change makes it possible for alien mosquito species to establish themselves in Austria. In the course of a Citizen Science survey in six Austrian provinces in the summer 2017, two such potentially invasive mosquito species could be detected using COI barcoding – the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) in Tyrol and the Japanese bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus) in Lower Austria, Styria and Burgenland. A more detailed study of mosquitoes in Tyrol 2018 confirmed the presence of the Asian tiger mosquito. In addition, A. japonicus and Aedes koreicus, the Korean bush mosquito, could be documented. Alien mosquito species were detected at 27% of all investigated sites. Occurrences along motorways indicate a possible introduction from Italy along these main traffic routes.

In addition to the barcoding of mosquitoes, barcodes of individuals of the genus Culicoides (Ceratopogonidae) were generated. These small, mostly blood-sucking mosquitoes also frequently serve as vectors of diseases. A total of 142 COI barcodes of 26 Culicoides species were generated, whereby three species were detected in Austria for thr first time.

A molecular genetic revision of the species complex Anopheles maculipennis is in progress and promises further exciting insights into the systematics of mosquitoes and the mosquito diversity in Austria.

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