SCIENTIFIC NOTE DIFFERENTIATION OF AEDES ATLANTICUS AND AEDES TORMENTOR BY RESTRICTION FRAGMENT LENGTH POLYMORPHISMS OF THE SECOND INTERNAL TRANSCRIBED SPACER

Using novel DNA sequence data, we designed a restriction enzyme assay that distinguishes Aedes atlanticus and Ae. tormentor, based on size polymorphisms. The restriction endonuclease Hpy188I digests polymerase chain reaction-amplified 2nd internal transcribed spacer products once for Ae. atlanticus and twice for Ae. tormentor, thus providing a useful method for identifying adult female collections that are generally considered morphologically indistinguishable.