MicrobeWorld

The black salt marsh mosquito, Aedes taerniorhynchus, one of three species found in the Galapagos island, has evolved to drink the blood of reptiles which is now raising alarms in terms of spreading infectious diseases such as West Nile Virus to the mainland of Ecuador.

On the continent Aedes taerniorhynchus only feasts on the blood of mammals.

"A. taerniorhynchus would appear to be poised to rapidly spread such a virus, with potentially devastating consequences. The researchers suggest that all planes and boats arriving in the Galapágos be treated with pesticides."