A morphological identification key to the mosquito disease vectors of the Pacific

Abstract

An identification guide is provided for female adults of the mosquito groups, complexes or species that can be morphologically differentiated and that are likely to transmit arboviruses (e.g., dengue, Zika, chikungunya, Ross River and Japanese encephalitis) or parasites (e.g., Plasmodium spp. and Wuchereria bancrofti) in the Pacific Islands, countries and territories. This dichotomous key is adapted, with permissions, from a variety of text and image sources to facilitate the identification of disease vectors by individuals with limited taxonomic training including Pacific island country Vector Surveillance and Environmental Health officers, other public health officials and students.