19. Aedes (Ochlerotatus) sticticus (Meigen, 1838)

(Fig. 4A)

Published source: Kirik et al. (2021: 11).

Voucher material: 1♀, Külitse (58° 20′ 5″ N, 26° 35′ 57″ E), 01–03.VIII.2020, V. Oborina leg., H. Kirik det., Mosquito Magnet trap, IZBE0210213, GenBank: OK465163 ; 1♂, Tartu (58° 20′ 52″ N, 26° 41′ 37″ E), 17.07.201 7, T. Kesküla leg., H. Kirik det., sweep net, IZBE0210249; 1♀, Tartu (58° 23′ 40″ N, 26° 44′ 05″ E), 05.VII.2017, H. Kirik leg., H. Kirik det., sweep net, IZBE0210214, GenBank: OK465164 .

Comment: 231 mosquitoes (1.0% of all specimens collected) were identified as Ae. sticticus . This species appears to be uncommon in the country based on the current collections. However, the abundance of Ae. sticticus has been found to depend on floods, and they can be numerous at certain times (Schäfer & Lundström 2009). Their relatively low numbers in this study could be due to collection bias. Interestingly, Ae. sticticus was encountered more often in August, which is unusual compared to most Aedes species in the area. Overall, some Ae. sticticus can be found in Estonia throughout the summer, from June to September.