Emerg Infect DiseidEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-6059Centers for Disease Control117477322631924Research ArticleVector competence of selected North American Culex and Coquillettidia mosquitoes for West Nile virus.SardelisM. R.TurellM. J.DohmD. J.O'GuinnM. L.Division of Tropical Public Health, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.Nov-Dec20017610181022

To control West Nile virus (WNV), it is necessary to know which mosquitoes are able to transmit this virus. Therefore, we evaluated the WNV vector potential of several North American mosquito species. Culex restuans and Cx. salinarius, two species from which WNV was isolated in New York in 2000, were efficient laboratory vectors. Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. nigripalpus from Florida were competent but only moderately efficient vectors. Coquillettidia perturbans was an inefficient laboratory vector. As WNV extends its range, exposure of additional mosquito species may alter its epidemiology.