Ochlerotatus


Ochlerotatus is a genus of mosquito. Until 2000, it was ranked as a subgenus of Aedes but was reclassified as a distinct genus based on taxonomic studies. This change resulted in the renaming of many subgenus species, and revisions of related taxa in the Aedini tribe are ongoing. Some authors, however, still use traditional taxonomic names in their publications.

Taxonomy

Ochlerotatus was originally established as a genus in 1891. In 1917, a researcher by the name of Edwards transferred it to the aedine subgenus; however, as of 2000, Ochlerotatus has resumed its role as a genus. Based on taxonomic characteristics, many species and subgenera of Aedes mosquitoes have been transferred to the Ochlerotatus genus.
After a contentious worldwide debate regarding the effect the taxonomic changes would have on names established over decades of work in scientific, government, and lay communities, many scientists and others affected by the change espoused the continued use of the previously established names. As of 2016, the previously established names are supported by and accepted for publication in many scientific journals.

Species

As of 2022, Ochlerotatus has the following species: