The mosquito fauna of New York State has been documented for over a century, beginning with Johannsen (1903) and Felt (1904), expanding through Mortimer (1926), Matheson (1944), Barnes et al. (1950), and Jamnback (1969). Means (1979, 1987) provided detailed regional keys and raised the tally to 60 species, whereas Darsie and Ward (2005) listed 59 for New York in their North American synthesis (Johannsen 1903; Felt 1904; Mortimer 1926; Matheson 1944; Barnes et al. 1950; Jamnback 1969; Means 1979, 1987; Darsie and Ward 2005). Our current checklist integrates historic sources, museum vouchers, and contemporary surveillance to document 68 species currently or historically present in the state, emphasizing ecology, public and veterinary relevance (Lukacik et al. 2006, Bajwa 2018, Oliver et al. 2018, Rochlin et al. 2019).

Beyond simple enumeration, the introduction of invasive species such as Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Ae. japonicus (Theobald) has reshaped New York’s mosquito fauna, reflecting the role of global commerce and urbanization (Bajwa 2018, Rochlin et al. 2019). Historically important species, including Ae. aegypti (L.), were introduced during the yellow fever eras but are now absent from modern collections. This context frames not only a taxonomic update but also an ecologic and epidemiologic synthesis of how climate variability, urban heat islands, and human–wildlife interfaces influence distributions and disease risk (Gorris et al. 2023, Madhav et al. 2024, Bajwa and Zhou 2025).

Species records were compiled from historic literature (Johannsen 1903; Barnes et al. 1950; Means 1979, 1987; Darsie and Ward 2005), statewide and New York City (NYC) public health surveillance (1999–2024, >3 million adult and larval specimens), peer-reviewed studies (e.g., Lukacik et al. 2006, Bajwa 2018, Oliver et al. 2018, Rochlin et al. 2019), and museum or voucher holdings (New York State Museum [NYSM]; Department of Health and Mental Hygiene [DOHMH] archives). For each species, we verified taxonomy, distribution, status (native, introduced, rare/historical), public health relevance, and associated pathogens with mapped RefIDs that link to full citations.

We followed Reinert’s Aedini revisions and subsequent treatments (Reinert 2000, Harbach and Kitching 2016) and cross-referenced legacy usage to maintain continuity with operational programs that still use older genus or subgenus names. Scientific names are italicized for genus and species only.

Definitions of the checklist fields are provided in the data dictionary (see Table 1), which standardizes occurrence status, geographic notes, ecologic descriptors, and references to ensure consistency across species entries.

Table 1.Checklist, bionomics, and ecologic characteristics of mosquito species in New York State.¹

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This comprehensive checklist documents 68 mosquito species in New York State, bridging historical and modern records. By incorporating taxonomy, ecology, vector competence, and veterinary relevance, it provides a foundational resource for surveillance and public health. The conspicuous absence of Ae. aegypti in >3 million NYC specimens since 1999 contrasts with the establishment of Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus, underscoring differing climatic constraints and invasion pathways (Bajwa 2018, Lukacik et al. 2006, Rochlin et al. 2019). Overall, this checklist integrates historical and modern records, clarifies taxonomic inconsistencies (Reinert 2000, Harbach and Kitching 2016), and provides an analytical framework linking ecology to human and veterinary risk in New York State.

Table 2 details the subset of mosquito species with confirmed or suspected pathogen associations. The table emphasizes both public health and veterinary relevance, supported by inline references. In addition to the core checklist, 7 species have been added since the last statewide synthesis: Ae. albopictus, Ae. japonicus, Culex erraticus (Dyar and Knab), Psorophora howardii Coquillett, Culiseta annulata (Schrank), Ae. spencerii (Theobald), and Ae. euedes Howar, Dyar and Knab (Table 1). Their inclusion reflects recent surveillance records and literature updates. Table 3 summarizes the distribution of all 68 species by genus and status category.

Table 2a.Medical and veterinary importance of mosquito species in New York State.¹

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Table 2b.Other documented mosquitoes of New York State (nonmajor vectors).¹

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Table 3.Summary of mosquito species by occurrence status and epidemiologic relevance in New York State¹

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During the past 5 years, Cx. erraticus has increased nearly 4-fold in collections, particularly in Staten Island, Queens, and The Bronx. This species, which was unrecorded as positive for West Nile virus (WNV) from 2000 through 2015, has now become one of the more abundant species in late summer collections, with concurrent increases in the minimum field infection rate for WNV (Bajwa and Zhou, personal communication).

Invasive Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus are now established and regularly encountered in NYC and Long Island (Bajwa 2018). By contrast, Ae. aegypti has not been detected despite intensive surveillance (>3 million specimens since 1999), consistent with a lack of overwintering and sustained colonization in the current climate (NYC DOHMH and New York State Department of Health [NYSDOH] surveillance, historical context in Matheson 1944, Barnes et al. 1950).

Among the 68 species, 23 have confirmed or suspected associations with human or veterinary pathogens (Tables 2a and 2b). Core WNV vectors include Cx. pipiens (L.), Cx. restuans Theobald, and Cx. salinarius Coquillett (Lukacik et al. 2006, Bajwa 2018, Rochlin et al. 2019, Keyel et al. 2021, Bajwa and Zhou 2025). Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) maintains, eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) enzootically, whereas salt-marsh mosquitoes such as Ae. sollicitans (Walker), Ae. taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann), and Cx. salinarius serve as bridge vectors (Oliver et al. 2018). Spring Aedes, for example, Ae. provocans (Walker), Ae. punctor (Kirby), and Ae. Sticticus, are implicated in Jamestown Canyon virus cycles (Rosen and Rozeboom 1954, Grimstad 2001, Andreadis et al. 2008, Ngo et al. 2023). Vector roles for dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis Leidy, include Ae. vexans (Meigen) and Coquillettidia perturbans Walker (Ledesma and Harrington 2011, Rochlin et al. 2019).

Container-breeding Cx. pipiens remains the dominant urban vector and key driver of WNV cycles in New York, thriving in stormwater infrastructure and peridomestic habitats (Lukacik et al. 2006, Bajwa 2018, Rochlin et al. 2019). The potential occurrence of Cx. pipiens f. molestus Forsskål in subterranean environments (e.g., sewer systems) warrants targeted genetic and ecologic surveys, given its autogeny and mammal-biting tendencies (NYC operational reports, see also Darsie and Ward 2005 for taxonomy). Eleven species regularly exploit artificial containers, reinforcing the need for urban source reduction.

Aedes albopictus is now established from NYC through Long Island, whereas Ae. japonicus is widespread statewide (Bajwa 2018). Aedes aegypti is historically linked to yellow fever introductions via maritime traffic; seasonal populations likely occurred but failed to overwinter (Matheson 1944, Barnes et al. 1950). Despite New York’s ongoing role as a major air and sea hub, more than 3 million mosquitoes collected in NYC since 1999 have yielded no Ae. aegypti, indicating the current absence and climatic unsuitability for persistence (Bajwa 2018).

Orthopodomyia alba Baker remains known only from a 1950 Ithaca record, whereas Or. signifera Coquillett persists sporadically in Nassau, Rockland, and NYC boroughs (Barnes et al. 1950, Bajwa 2018). Culex apicalis Adams (western) and Cs. annulata (Old World) are documented but scarce, and voucher-backed confirmations and periodic reassessment are recommended (Means 1987, Darsie and Ward 2005, Bajwa 2018).

Beyond human health, veterinary outcomes merit emphasis: Cs. melanura–EEEV cycles pose risk to equines; Ae. vexans and Cq. perturbans contribute to D. immitis transmission; and WNV affects horses statewide (Oliver et al. 2018, Rochlin et al. 2019). Integrating veterinary morbidity data with mosquito surveillance will strengthen risk assessments.

Warmer winters and longer growing seasons are projected to expand the overwintering range and seasonal abundance of container-breeding Aedes and Culex species in the northeast, potentially elevating WNV risk and enabling northward range shifts (Kramer et al. 2019, Paz 2019, Madhav et al. 2024). Urban heat island effects may facilitate localized persistence of invasive Aedes and extend biting seasons. Conversely, highly cold-limited species (Ae. aegypti) remain unlikely to overwinter under the present conditions; however, episodic introductions at coastal ports will continue. Scenario-based planning and thermal suitability modeling should be integrated with surveillance to prioritize interventions when climatic suitability and human exposure intersect (Gorris et al. 2022, Madhav et al. 2024).

Looking ahead, climate-driven changes in thermal suitability and season length are likely to alter mosquito phenology, distributions, and pathogen dynamics in the region (Gorris et al. 2021, Madhav et al. 2024, Bajwa and Zhou 2025). Sustained, voucher-anchored surveillance, routine molecular verification, integration of veterinary data, and scenario-based risk mapping will be essential to anticipate and mitigate mosquito-borne disease threats in New York State.