Two new mosquito species have been identified in Sri Lanka by the Department of Entomology of the Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka (MRI).
The Department’s National Organizer Disnaka Dissanayake said the newly identified mosquito species are Culex sintellus and Culex niyainfula.
Culex sintellus, which is commonly found in Thailand and India, has been reported from the Mirigama and Kalutara areas in Sri Lanka.
This mosquito species has not yet been reported to be a vector of any disease across the world, Dissanayake said.
Meanwhile, Culex niyainfula, which is widespread in India, is known as a carrier of the disease called cerebral malaria.
Dissanayake added that further research will be conducted on the spread and the impact the new mosquito species will have on Sri Lanka’s biodiversity.
He also revealed that samples of 4 other mosquito species found in Sri Lanka have been sent to a Korean university for identification. (NewsWire)