Diversity, Distribution and Phylogeny of Vector Insects

Dear Colleagues,

Several hematophagous insects, including mosquitoes, biting midges, sand flies, and black flies, are able to transmit pathogens of veterinary and public health concern. There is a great diversity of blood-sucking insects, e.g., more than 3500 mosquito species and 2400 black fly species worldwide, with new species being discovered every year.

Immature stages and adults of this insects play an important role in the ecosystems since they are included in the diet of aquatic and insectivorous fauna; therefore, the diversity of these groups must be considered to understand their importance in ecosystem food webs. In addition, knowledge about their distribution, abundance, and phenology of vector insects is crucial to improve understanding of epidemiologic events and to manage control strategies as a way of preventing future disease outbreaks.

The phylogeny of insect vectors is also another issue to consider since phylogenetic studies help us to establish species delimitations, determine sibling species, and solve species boundaries. The One Health concept, supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), states that public health is influenced by the environment, whether it is interconnected by public, domestic, or wildlife health. Climate change and globalization may impact the distribution and diversity of vector insects. Therefore, the expansion of their distribution range, due to the increase in temperature, the introduction of invasive species through public transport, or movements of breeding sites provoked by deforestation, enhances the impact on the distribution of vector species.

Dr. Carlos Barceló
Dr. Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo
Guest Editors

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