Aedes dorsalis
| Aedes dorsalis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Culicidae |
| Genus: | Aedes |
| Subgenus: | Ochlerotatus |
| Species: | A. dorsalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Aedes dorsalis (Meigen, 1830) | |
Aedes dorsalis is a mosquito species in the genus Aedes, subgenus Ochlerotatus. Commonly known as the summer salt marsh mosquito, this medium-sized mosquito is distinguishable by its white-scaled abdomen and legs with white rings. It has a broad distribution across the Nearctic and Palearctic regions, including North America and parts of Europe and Asia, where it inhabits flood-prone and saline areas. While it is an aggressive biter and a nuisance pest, its primary medical significance stems from its role as a vector for California encephalitis virus. Unlike some well-known Aedes species, such as Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus, it is not a significant vector for major diseases like dengue, Zika, or chikungunya.