Abstract:
Sri Lanka is known for its biological diversity
with a high richness in insect diversity. So far, 159 mosquito
species representing 19 genera have been reported. Phagomyia
gubernatori is the only species identifi ed under subgenus
Phagomyia in Sri Lanka. This study reports the presence of
Aedes (Phagomyia) cogilli for the fi rst time in Sri Lanka. During
weekly fi eld visits from October to November 2018, larval
samples were collected from canals in the Jaff na municipal area
in Jaff na District ( N 9° 39’ 32” E 80° 3’ 23” and N 9° 39’ 35”
E 80° 3’ 25” ) and reared at the insectary. Emerged adults were
identifi ed with available identifi cation keys. DNA was extracted
from the individual adults and a portion of the mitochondrial
cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was amplifi ed using
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The amplifi ed fragments of
four individuals were sequenced in both directions. In addition
to morphological confi rmation, the presence of Ae. cogilli was
also supported with the DNA sequence of cytochrome c oxidase
subunit I. Insecticide susceptibility status of adult mosquitoes
to the insecticides Deltamethrin, Permethrin, Malathion,
Propoxur, and DDT were performed according to the World
Health Organization procedures. The fi ndings showed the
presence of Ae. cogilli in Sri Lanka and that it had developed
resistance to insecticides, suggesting further investigation on
the species.
