Ochlerotatus togoi
Theobald, 1907
Ochlerotatus togoi is a salt-tolerant euryhaline mosquito that inhabits coastal rock pools with salinities ranging from freshwater to seawater. It is a known of flaviviruses and filarial affecting humans, including Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia . Rising sea levels have expanded its suitable , increasing public health concerns in coastal regions. Laboratory studies show complex salinity-dependent traits: highest preference occurs in freshwater, yet optimal development occurs at moderate salinities around 25 psu.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ochlerotatus togoi: /ˌɒklɪroʊˈteɪtəs ˈtoʊɡoʊaɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Habitat
Coastal rock pools containing mixtures of seawater and rainwater; stagnant water in artificial structures near coasts. Tolerates euryhaline conditions from freshwater (0 psu) to high salinity (50 psu), with physiological for osmotic regulation including active ion via , , and .
Distribution
South Korea (Geoje, Jeju, Pohang); North America; Southern Asia; Canada. Primarily coastal areas with documented presence in East Asian and North coastal regions.
Host Associations
- humans - bites; transmits flaviviruses and filarial primary epidemiological concern
- Wuchereria bancrofti - lymphatic
- Brugia malayi - lymphatic
- Brugia pahangi - filarial
- Brugia patei - filarial
- Brugia tupiae - filarial
- Brugia timori - filarial
- Dirofilaria immitis - (laboratory)dog ; demonstrated in laboratory conditions
Life Cycle
are laid in rock pools and stagnant coastal water. Hatching rate peaks at 10 psu salinity (72.11%). Larval development proceeds through , with highest pupation rate at 25 psu. rate is highest at 5 psu. Overall development rate is maximized at 25 psu despite preference for freshwater. Developmental studies conducted at 27°C ± 1°C, 70% humidity, 12:12 L:D .
Behavior
Exhibits salt-tolerant euryhaline physiology with active ion mechanisms. preference decreases markedly with increasing salinity above 15 psu, creating a mismatch between preferred oviposition sites and optimal developmental conditions.
Ecological Role
with potential for increased expansion and disease transmission risk due to rising sea levels and coastal salinization. Population can be predicted from salinity changes using the regression equation y = −14.318 + 9.821x, where y = incidence rate and x = salinity.
Human Relevance
Public health concern as of lymphatic and potentially other . Risk of Oc. togoi-borne is increasing with climate change-induced sea level rise and coastal expansion. Control strategies must account for its euryhaline and salinity-dependent .
More Details
Taxonomic Note
Listed as synonym of Aedes togoi in some databases; Ochlerotatus togoi reflects historical -level within the Aedes/Ochlerotatus complex.
Climate Change Implications
Rising sea levels have created more favorable environments for Oc. togoi, with documented range expansion and increased transmission risk in coastal South Korea.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- Another Invasive Mosquito Species Arrives in Florida
- Open Entomology: Tips and Tools for Better Reproducibility in Your Research
- Two tiny vampires leave their itchy calling cards along the Potomac: black flies, Simuliidae and no-see-ums, Ceratopogonidae — Bug of the Week
- Mosquito redux - Culicidae — Bug of the Week
- Mosquito Management in the Era of Extreme Weather
- Bug Eric: My Personal National Moth Week, 2017
- Effect of salinity on the oviposition and growth of Ochlerotatus togoi