Molecular identification of Aedes triseriatus and Aedes hendersoni by a novel duplex polymerase chain reaction assay.

Aedes triseriatus is the principal vector of La Crosse virus (LACv), which is the most common cause of pediatric arboviral encephalitis in North America. Here we report a novel species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that differentially identifies Ae. triseriatus and Ae. hendersoni. Because these 2 sibling species differ in their abilities to transmit LACv, accurate identification is critical for surveillance, research, and control programs. This duplex assay can detect the presence of both species in a single PCR reaction and is therefore simpler and faster than previously reported methods.