Published November 7, 2025
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Inventory of Culicidae in and around the Grande Cariçaie Nature Reserves at Lake Neuchâtel, Western Switzerland
Authors/Creators
- 1. mut (environmental consultancy), Zürich, Switzerland
- 2. Unaffiliated, Yvonand, Switzerland
- 3. University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Mendrisio, Switzerland
Description
For the first time an extensive study on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) was carried out in and around the Grande Cariçaie nature reserves, a wetland area along Lake Neuchâtel in Western Switzerland. This study contributes to improve knowledge on Swiss regional mosquito distribution and diversity, which is important both from a conservation perspective and for a possible assessment of future risks for human and animal health. Fifteen sites were sampled monthly between April and September 2019 by setting CDC miniature light traps and by investigating larval habitats. The sampling sites were located either in a natural, peri-urban or urban environment. Overall, a total of 3,674 mosquito specimens were identified. A high species diversity with 17 different species and a species composition typical for a wetland area with Ae. annulipes-cantans, Ae. vexans, Ae. sticticus, Ae. cinereus-geminus and Ae. rusticus as dominant species, was found. A strong overlap between the three categories of environments regarding species abundance, richness and composition was observed. No invasive mosquito species were recorded in the study area.
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