Verrallina spermathecus

Verrallina spermathecus is a species of mosquito in the genus Verrallina, first described by Wijesundara in 1951 as Aedes spermathecus.^[1] This species is known to occur in Sri Lanka.

Verrallina spermathecus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Family:	Culicidae
Genus:	Verrallina
Subgenus:	Neomacleaya
Species:	V. spermathecus
Binomial name
Verrallina spermathecus (Wijesundara, 1951)[1]
Synonyms[1]
Aedes spermathecus Wijesundara, 1951

Ecology and behavior

Verrallina spermathecus likely breeds in temporary water sources such as flood pools, puddles, and natural containers like plant axils, consistent with the habits of other species in the genus.^[2] It is typically found in jungle areas and coastal mangroves. Females of this species may bite humans, particularly in shaded areas during the day, though they are primarily zoophilic, preferring to feed on animals rather than humans.^[2]

Medical significance

There is no specific evidence to suggest that Verrallina spermathecus is a major vector of diseases such as dengue or malaria.^[3][4] However, as with many mosquito species, its potential to transmit diseases remains a possibility that requires further investigation due to limited research on this specific species.