7 new mosquito species found in Punjab

PATIALA: The first ever post-Independence mosquito species count conducted in the state by entomologists has found seven new species of the bug. Interestingly, these species were never found earlier in the state's agro-ecosystem.
Some of these species are notorious for causing deadly diseases like Japanese encephalitis, dengue and malaria. Most of the newly-found mosquitoes are from the culex and anopheles species, which cause Japanese encephalitis and malaria respectively.
The four-year research sponsored by the Union government's department of science and technology (DST) has found that Punjab, both rural and urban, is fast becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Seven of the 43 different varieties of the bug found here are new.
Conducted by a team of Patiala-based Punjabi University researchers led by Jagbir Singh, professor and head of department of zoology, the research, titled, "DST: Major research project on diversity of mosquitoes from Punjab," concluded that the number of new species could be higher.
"We initiated this study around four years ago with Rs 29 lakh financial aid provided by DST. In this time period, we discovered seven new species of mosquitoes. I am sure more such species would be isolated in the second phase of project, which is still going on," said Prof Jagbir.
Expressing concern over both the new species and increase in the count of existing ones, he attributed the alarming trend to massive deforestation and changes in crop sowing patterns. "Besides deforestation, most rural areas of Punjab are filled with water, especially in the paddy season. Moreover, there is massive urbanization. All these factors promote mosquito growth. How these newly-found species are affecting people of Punjab is yet to be studied," he said.
Jagbir, a renowned entomologist, said the count of dengue causing aedes aegypti mosquito has increased manifold in Punjab over the past 20 to 25 years. "Aedes aegypti was rarely found in Punjab around 20 to 25 years ago. When we were students, we could not locate more than 4 to 5 specimens of the dengue causing mosquito. But today, you can locate thousands of them in our university laboratory. It is so common in Punjab," he said.
The research report recommended that the government revive the post of biologist in each district of Punjab so that the exercise of identifying new vectors causing human diseases are identified at ground level as soon as possible.
BOX: Mosquito species recorded for first time in Punjab
Culex (Culex) sitiens Wiedemann
Culex (Eumelanomya) brevipalpi (Giles)
Lutzia (Metalutzia) vorax Edwards
Mansonia (Mansonioides) Indiana Edwards
Anopheles (Cellia) fluviatilis James
Anopheles (Cellia) tesellatus Theobold