Ochlerotatus

Ochlerotatus is a genus of mosquito. Until 2000, it was ranked as a subgenus of Aedes, but after Reinert's work, the clade was upgraded to a generic level. This change has resulted in the renaming of many subgenus species, and many aedini-related taxa are undergoing taxonomic revisions. Some authors are still using traditional taxonomic names in their publications. Ochlerotatus was originally established as a genus in 1891. In 1917, a researcher by the name of Edwards transferred it to the aedine subgenus; however, as of 2000, Ochlerotatus has resumed its role as a genus (a revision made by Reinhert, due to common traits in genitalia). Based on taxonomic characteristics, many species and subgenera of Aedes mosquitoes have been transferred to the Ochlerotatus genus. After a contentious worldwide debate regarding the effect the taxonomic changes would have on names established over decades of work in scientific, government, and lay communities, many scientists and others affected by the change espoused the continued use of the previously established names. As of 2016, the previously established names are supported by and accepted for publication in many scientific journals. As of July 2016, Ochlerotatus has the following species: Media related to Ochlerotatus at Wikimedia Commons