culex

noun

cu·​lex ˈkyü-ˌleks How to pronounce culex (audio)
: any of a large cosmopolitan genus (Culex) of mosquitoes that includes the common house mosquito (C. pipiens) of Europe and North America and vectors of the viruses causing Saint Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus

Examples of culex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The Kansas Biological Survey has recorded 54 species in the Kansas City area, with the most common being the culex. Cynthia Billhartz Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024 Weld County health officials said the virus had been identified in culex mosquitoes. Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 2 Aug. 2019 The county has 14 traps in various locations to track activity among culex mosquitoes, which carry West Nile. Naperville Sun, 12 June 2019 Aedes infirmatus mosquitos as well as other aedes and culex species have also known to carry the virus, the Florida Department of Health said. Ashley May, USA TODAY, 25 June 2018 West Nile Virus is transmitted through the bite of a culex pipiens mosquito that encountered the disease by biting an infected bird, according to the release. Alexandra Kukulka, chicagotribune.com, 30 May 2018 The culex mosquito can also carry West Nile virus and Japanese encephalitis. Molly Sullivan, sacbee, 7 Aug. 2017 Deutsch said one of the species populations the department was hoping to reduce is the culex quinquefasciatus, also known as the Southern house mosquito, which can carry a variety of illnesses including strains of encephalitis and West Nile. Harry Sayer, OrlandoSentinel.com, 31 July 2017 Though no mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been found or human cases reported thus far in Kane County, Schlueter said that current hot and humid conditions are those in which the culex mosquito, which carries that disease, thrive. Mike Danahey, Elgin Courier-News, 12 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, gnat; akin to Old Irish cuil fly

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of culex was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near culex

Cite this Entry

“Culex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culex. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

culex

noun
cu·​lex ˈkyü-ˌleks How to pronounce culex (audio)
: any of a large genus of mosquitoes that includes the common house mosquito of Europe and North America

Medical Definition

culex

noun
cu·​lex ˈkyü-ˌleks How to pronounce culex (audio)
1
capitalized : a large cosmopolitan genus of mosquitoes that includes the common house mosquito (C. pipiens) of Europe and North America, a widespread tropical mosquito (C. quinquefasciatus synonym C. fatigans) which transmits some filarial worms parasitic in humans, and other mosquitoes which are vectors of the viruses causing Japanese B encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis, and West Nile fever
2
: a mosquito of the genus Culex
culicine adjective or noun
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