Canadian Arctic mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) through time: a review of historical records and challenges.

Abstract

Understanding the occurrence of arthropods in the Arctic relies heavily on distributional and taxonomic evidence, yet substantial gaps and inconsistencies in available data complicate interpretation. These limitations impact our understanding of ecologically-and medically-important groups such as the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), whose Arctic diversity and biogeography remain poorly resolved. Many species were originally described from limited material, often using morphological traits that differ from those observed in more thoroughly studied southern populations. Sparse and uneven sampling across the Arctic limits our ability to accurately assess species distributions, and missing or incomplete metadata further diminishes the scientific value of existing specimens. Collectively, these issues obscure patterns of biodiversity, hinder detection of climate‑driven range shifts, and constrain efforts to evaluate the vector potential of species capable of transmitting arboviruses. As concerns grow regarding the northward expansion of mosquito‑borne pathogens, the absence of reliable baseline data poses a major challenge for assessing current and future risks to human and animal health in Arctic ecosystems. This review synthesizes historical records of Canadian Arctic mosquitoes from early natural history expeditions beginning around 1820 to the present. We evaluate the taxonomic reliability, geographic accuracy, and research relevance of these records to determine which can serve as credible baselines for contemporary biodiversity assessments. By clarifying the strengths and limitations of the historical dataset, this review aims to support improved species distribution modeling, inform future surveillance efforts, and guide research priorities in a rapidly changing Arctic.