Wing geometric morphometrics and COI barcoding of Culex pipiens subgroup in the Republic of Korea

Two members of the Culex pipiens subgroup, Culex pallens and Culex pipiens f. molestus, are known to occur in the Republic of Korea (ROK). These species exhibit morphologically similar features and are challenging to distinguish below the species level. Therefore, this study utilized wing geometric morphometrics (GM) on the right wing of the Culex pipiens subgroup, alongside sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region. Mosquitoes were collected from 11 locations between June and October (2020-2022) to minimize regional and seasonal variations. Additionally, Culex pipiens f. pipiens, which is not native to the ROK, was included in the analysis. Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Aedes albopictus, and Anopheles sinensis, the primary vectors in the ROK, were used as outgroups for comparison. All three taxa in the Culex pipiens subgroup could be identified with an 82.4%-97.0% accuracy using GM. However, a comparison of the COI regions of the Culex pipiens subgroup revealed no clear differences between the taxa. These data can be used for accurate identification, contributing to effective mosquito control, in addition to providing a foundation for evolutionary and ecological studies on wing shape differences.