The United States has identified a new species of mosquito, Aedes amateuri, which was previously only recorded in Mexico. It has now been found in southeastern Arizona's Sky Islands, according to researchers from the University of Florida, who announced the discovery this week. This mosquito is known to feed on humans and other large mammals, but little else is known about it, including whether it can transmit diseases. Lawrence Reeves, the scientist who documented the finding in a new study, emphasized the importance of monitoring mosquitoes, noting that even in the U.S.—a region where mosquitoes have been studied for over a century—new species are still being discovered. This highlights the need for continued research to understand the country's mosquito population and better manage their potential impacts. The Aedes amateuri has only been detected so far in the Santa Rita, Dragoon, and Peloncillo mountain areas of Arizona. While it has not yet been found in urban areas, Reeves suspects it may have spread to neighboring New Mexico, which has similar terrain. The mosquito's biology and habitat make it difficult to detect. Scientists typically find these mosquitoes in temporary pools of water that form after warm monsoon rains. This means that adult mosquitoes may only thrive when the right amount of rain falls in the right place. Arizona already has more than 40 species of mosquitoes, many of which reproduce during the region’s wettest and warmest months between March and October, according to the state’s health department. One of Arizona’s most populous mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti, is not native to the state but has contributed to the spread of West Nile virus among residents. Infected mosquitoes bite humans and pass on the disease, which can be fatal for people with compromised immune systems. Severe cases of West Nile virus can lead to a high fever, coma, tremors, vision loss, paralysis, and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New federal data shows Arizona and California currently have the most cases of West Nile virus. The state has experienced heavy rainfall over the last month, coinciding with record summer temperatures that allow the atmosphere to hold more moisture. This pattern is also seen nationwide, and this summer was the hottest on record in the contiguous United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The combination of warm temperatures and increased rainfall can create ideal conditions for mosquito breeding and disease transmission, making it an important area of concern for public health officials.