Diversity of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in public parks of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are the group of insects, with great significance for the medical area that colonize different anthropogenic environments. This study reports the diversity of mosquitoes from four urban parks: Acuaparque (AP), Parque Ecológico del Poniente (PEP), Parque Ecológico Metropolitano del Sur (PEM) and Parque Zoológico del Centenario (PZC) in the city of Merida, Yucatan, located in southern Mexico. Mosquito larvae were collected by direct inspection from breeding sites and adult specimens were collected using CDC Backpack aspirators and Mosquito-Magnet® traps. A total of 349 specimens of 6 genera and 14 species were collected and identified. Aedes aegypti , Culex coronator , Culex nigripalpus , Culex interrogator , Aedes taeniorhynchus , Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex salinarius were the most abundant and widely distributed species. The highest numbers of species registered were 12 and 11 (for AP and PEP parks, respectively), and similar species composition. The results show that recreational parks can harbor various species of mosquitoes, including some of public health importance.