Culex (Culex) australicus Dobrotworsky & Drummond, 1953

New Zealand Status: Not Present

Culex australicus has been intercepted in New Zealand.

Vector and Disease Information

Culex australicus does not feed on humans, but Murray Valley encephalitus and Kunjin viruses have been isolated from it in the Murray Valley in southern Australia. In this area it may play a role in virus initiation and amplification (Russell 1993).

Distribution (based on Biogeographic Regions)

Australasian Biogeographic Region

New Zealand

Not present, possible interception. New Zealand - Adult collected near Napier in December 1998 but identification not confirmed; fourth instar larva needed to confirm identification (Hearnden 1999).

Australia

Present, endemic

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia.

Rest of region

Present, endemic?

New Caledonia, Vanuatu.

Taxonomic Position

Part of the Pipiens complex of species, Group pipiens, and subgroup pipiens of the subgenus Culex.