Phytotelmata in native and exotic plants and their mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) assemblages: Diversity and first records of plant-mosquito associations in a subtropical region of Argentina

Phytotelma refers to the water accumulated in certain plant structures that constitute the main natural microhabitats for the development of mosquitoes. This study aimed to identify native and exotic plants with phytotelmata and their mosquito fauna (Diptera, Culicidae) in a subtropical area of northeastern Argentina, looking for new records of plant-mosquito associations. The samples were collected bimonthly during 2015-2017 at two sites in each of three localities in the Formosa, Corrientes and Chaco provinces. Species of Apiaceae, Araceae, Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae and Strelitziaceae were identified as having phytotelmata and all except the latter harbored mosquitoes. Most woody phytotelmata were found in native bamboo Guadua chacoensis (Poaceae), which harbored six culicid species mainly of the Sabethini tribe. The herbaceous phytotelmata with the highest abundance were found in native Aechmea distichantha (Bromeliaceae), which harbored four culicid species, most of the Culicini tribe. New records of culicids that inhabit native phytotelmata in Argentina include Haemagogus spegazzinii in Prosopis nigra and Culex coronator in Acrocomia aculeata, and in exotic phytotelmata include Wyeomyia codiocampa and Toxorhynchites theobaldi in Bambusa vulgaris. Furthermore, two species of the Microculex subgenus were found in Alocasia macrorrhiza and one in Aechmea miniata. The diversity of native plant species with phytotelmata is an important factor in supporting a diverse assemblage of Culicidae, playing a relevant role in the conservation of mosquito diversity.