Identification of damaged adult female specimens of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti in the New World.

Two introduced species of Aedes (Stegomyia), Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti, occur in the New World. Three characters, easily and simultaneously observed from an anteroventral view, allow for rapid and reliable specific identification of most specimens that lack the characteristic scutal scale patterns. These 3 characters are the presence or absence of pale scales on the clypeus; the presence or absence of a narrow, median line of pale scales on the anterior face of the midfemora; and the pattern of pale and dark scales on abdominal sterna III-V.