Abstract
Aedes (Ochlerotatus) detritus s.l. is a complex of two genetically distinct sibling species which are morphologically indis&nguishable : Aedes detritus (Haliday, 1833) and Aedes coluzzii (Rioux, Guilvard and Pasteur, 1998). Aedes detritus (former sp B) is anautogenous, eurygame and mainly distributed in Northern Europe. Its larvae develop in brackish water with low salinity. Aedes coluzzii (former sp A) is autogenous, stenogame and mainly distributed in the Mediterranean region where it thrives in hypersaline environments such as salt marshes. Both species can be found in France, occurring in some li]oral regions (e.g., Mediterranean and Atlan&c shores) where they are a heavy nuisance to humans and/or animals. To date, species iden&fica&on within the complex was only possible through iso-enzymes techniques. Here, we present a straighborward mul&plex PCR for dis&nguishing Ae. detritus and Ae. coluzzii in a single assay.