Replication and transmission of West Nile virus in simulated overwintering adults of Culex pipiens pallens (Diptera: Culicidae) in China.

West Nile virus is perhaps the widest distributed arbovirus globally, being maintained in nature by transmission among ornithophagic Culex mosquitoes and a wide-variety of birds. A factor contributing to the success of the WNV invasion is the ability of the virus to successfully overwinter. Experimental studies on the preservation and transmission of West Nile virus by Culex pipiens pallens under simulated overwintering conditions have shown that Cx. p. pallens has a preservative effect on West Nile virus under low-temperature conditions. After the temperature rises, the virus reproduces rapidly and can spread to susceptible animals while the mosquitos feed on blood. This research is of great significance for exploring how West Nile virus enters new areas and how the cycle of transmission is maintained China.