Information on the distribution of mosquito species that transmit any pathogens is important, particularly as the climate is warming.
During collections for a study to map the distribution of mosquito species in Finland, Anopheles daciae, a species previously not known to occur in Finland was found from several locations in the south of the country. As this species is very closely related to known malaria vectors, it is assumed to also be capable of transmitting malaria.
Anopheles daciae, which was only described as a species in 2004, belongs to the Anopheles maculipennis complex – a group of visually identical but distinct species from which three species have previously been found in Finland. The species in this complex may be identical in appearance, but the differences can be seen when DNA is sequenced.
Anopheles messeae, another species included in the complex, is the primary mosquito species responsible for transmitting malaria in Europe. It is assumed that this species was also responsible for transmitting malaria until the 1950’s, when malaria declined in Finland.
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