We're being asked to think twice before we swat a mosquito.

Te Papa is calling for New Zealanders to catch, freeze and send them samples of mosquitos for its nationwide census.

Curator Dr Julia Kasper told Mike Hosking it will fill gaps in our knowledge of New Zealand's 13 species of mozzies.

"We do actually know what species are already here but we want to know where they live and how far they are spread."

She says catching them is quite simple.

"Take a jar, put it over the mosquito, take a piece of paper, slip it under and put it gently in the freezer and just leave it, and then you can post it to Te Papa."

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