The Spielman Legacy: His Influence on the CX. Pipiens Complex in the USA

Any modern discussion of the biology of the Culex pipiens complex bears an unshakable influence of the late Andrew Spielman. His accomplishments, with those of his former students, post docs and collaborators, were as diverse as they were significant. His contributions began with his doctoral work focused on the genetics of autogeny of Cx. pipiens. He embraced cutting edge technology of that era to uncover previously unrealized complexities in the physiology and population structure of this taxon. From the late 1950s through the late 1970s, Spielman published most of his dozen seminal papers that focused on aspects of Cx. pipiens biology. These covered aspects of physiology, autogeny, population structure, anatomy and ecology. His attention returned to this group with the emergence of West Nile virus (WNV). He then led a team of colleagues distributed throughout this mosquito's geographic range to probe latitudinal and diel influences on the distribution of the vector as well as on the force of transmission of WNV. He sought sound physiological bases to reveal all aspects of vector competence and vectorial capacity, and insisted that these findings be central to the design of any intervention. A review of Spielman's contributions and perspectives are pertinent when considering new findings as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.