The insect<\/a>, Aedes amateuri, was previously only recorded in Mexico<\/a> but scientists say they\u2019ve now found the mosquito in southeastern Arizona\u2019s Sky Islands.<\/p>\n The mosquito is known to feed on humans and other large mammals, the University of Florida said this week. But little else is known about the species, including whether it can spread disease. <\/p>\n \u201cThis discovery shows how important it is to remain vigilant in monitoring mosquitoes, because we are still detecting species that were previously unknown in the U.S., a region where they have been intensively studied for more than a century,\u201d Lawrence Reeves, the scientist who documented the finding in a new study<\/a>, said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt highlights how much we still have to learn about our country\u2019s mosquito fauna, an understanding of which is essential for mitigating the impacts of mosquitoes.\u201d<\/p>\n The mosquito has only been detected in the Santa Rita, Dragoon and Peloncillo mountain areas of Arizona.<\/p>\n The mosquitoes have yet to be detected in cities, but Reeves suspects it has likely spread to neighboring New Mexico, which has similar terrain.<\/p>\n The mosquito\u2019s biology and habitat make it tricky to detect. <\/p>\n Scientists typically trace these mosquitoes to temporary pools of water that occur after warm monsoon rains. That means that adult mosquitoes may only prosper when the right amount of rain hits in the right place, the university said.<\/p>\n Arizona already has more than 40 species of mosquitoes, many of which spawn during the region\u2019s wettest and warmest months between March and October, according to the state\u2019s health department.<\/p>\n One of Arizona\u2019s most populous mosquitoes<\/a> known as the Aedes aegypti is also not native to the state <\/a>but has helped West Nile virus spread among residents.<\/p>\n The infected mosquitoes bite humans and pass on the disease, which can be fatal for people with compromised immune systems.<\/p>\n Severe cases can lead to a high fever, coma, tremors, vision loss, paralysis and brain and spinal inflammation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> says.<\/p>\n![\"University](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/NET.jpeg\")
University of Florida scientist Dr. Lawrence Reeves inspects a bag of mosquitoes collected in the mountains of Arizona. Reeves and colleagues have found a new species of mosquito in the U.S. (Dan Killingsworth)![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CLOSE-UP.jpeg\")
The Aedes amateuri is seen in this close-up shot from the University of Florida. Very little is known about the insect, including its ability to spread disease (Lawrence Reeves)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/SMALL.jpeg\")
The Aedes amateuri was found in Arizona\u2019s mountainous terrain. Reeves suspects the species has also spread to nearby New Mexico (Lawrence Reeves)<\/p>\n