Identification and Geographical Distribution of the Mosquitoes of North America, North of Mexico - by Ronald A Ward & Richard F Darsie (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"A must-have for anyone involved with mosquitoes. This is the only key that incorporates the recent changes in nomenclature and new species listings with their respective distribution."--Dennis Moore, director, Pasco County Mosquito Control District Greatly anticipated and sorely needed, this book updates the successful guide to North American mosquitoes published by the American Mosquito Control Association in 1981. It includes 12 new species that have since been added to the North American mosquito fauna, revised distribution maps of all species, and revised and completely illustrated identification keys for the adult females and fourth instar larvae of all 174 species and subspecies known to occur in North America, north of Mexico. In chapters on adult and larval morphology, the coauthors--both world-renowned in their field of taxonomy--discuss the anatomical structures mentioned in the keys and pictured on full-page plates. They provide separate generic keys for adult females and larvae and keys to the species of each genus. In addition, they show the geographical distribution of each taxon in a series of maps and include a synopsis of the occurrence of species in the states and provinces of the United States and Canada. This book's usefulness to mosquito control programs cannot be overestimated. For example, it deals with 9 exotic species that have been introduced and today successfully thrive in North America. Several are increasing their range and this book will help identify these species when they first invade an area. Because of the occurrence of mosquito-borne diseases and the widespread distribution of mosquitoes as pests to humans, professionals must know how to identify them. With its wealth of up-to-date information, this book is the only one of its kind available for specialists working on mosquito-borne diseases and in mosquito control units and for both introductory and advanced students who study entomology. Richard F. Darsie Jr. is a research entomologist at the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory at the University of Florida. Ronald A. Ward was a medical entomologist at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C., before his retirement.

Review Quotes

"A valuable resource. . . . This book is the collective product of two very competent scientists."--Journal of Medical Entomology


"For the dedicated mosquito worshipper! This book is undoubtedly a must and with its beautifully illustrated keys sets a high standard to follow."--Parasitology


"The essential resource for anyone concerned with mosquito control or biology."--American Reference Books Annual


"This is the identification manual for North American mosquitoes."--Choice

About the Author

Richard F. Darsie Jr. is a research entomologist at the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory at the University of Florida. Ronald A. Ward was a medical entomologist at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C., before his retirement. Both authors have published extensively in such journals as Mosquito Systematics and the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association.