Explanatory notes are given, and certain procedural steps taken, concerning compilation of an up-to-date catalogue of Culicidae occurring in the Ethiopian faunal region. Following critical appraisal of each endemic nominal taxon, the forthcoming catalogue currently contains a total of 615 valid species, grouped in 14 genera and 30 subgenera. A further 41 nominal subspecies and 14 varieties or forms are accepted as differing from the type-forms. Numbers of currently recognized species in each genus are plotted for the period 1900-1975.