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Zadra N, Tatti A, Silverj A, Piccinno R, Devilliers J, Lewis C, Arnoldi D, Montarsi F, Escuer P, Fusco G, De Sanctis V, Feuda R, Sánchez-Gracia A, Rizzoli A, Rota-Stabelli O. Shallow Whole-Genome Sequencing of Aedes japonicus and Aedes koreicus from Italy and an Updated Picture of Their Evolution Based on Mitogenomics and Barcoding. INSECTS 2023; 14:904. [PMID: 38132578 PMCID: PMC10743467 DOI: 10.3390/insects14120904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Aedes japonicus and Aedes koreicus are two invasive mosquitoes native to East Asia that are quickly establishing in temperate regions of Europe. Both species are vectors of arboviruses, but we currently lack a clear understanding of their evolution. Here, we present new short-read, shallow genome sequencing of A. japonicus and A. koreicus individuals from northern Italy, which we used for downstream phylogenetic and barcode analyses. We explored associated microbial DNA and found high occurrences of Delftia bacteria in both samples, but neither Asaia nor Wolbachia. We then assembled complete mitogenomes and used these data to infer divergence times estimating the split of A. japonicus from A. koreicus in the Oligocene, which was more recent than that previously reported using mitochondrial markers. We recover a younger age for most other nodes within Aedini and other Culicidae. COI barcoding and phylogenetic analyses indicate that A. japonicus yaeyamensis, A. japonicus amamiensis, and the two A. koreicus sampled from Europe should be considered as separate species within a monophyletic species complex. Our studies further clarify the evolution of A. japonicus and A. koreicus, and indicate the need to obtain whole-genome data from putative species in order to disentangle their complex patterns of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Zadra
- Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (N.Z.); (A.T.); (A.S.); (R.P.)
- CIBIO Department, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy;
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (D.A.); (A.R.)
| | - Alessia Tatti
- Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (N.Z.); (A.T.); (A.S.); (R.P.)
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (D.A.); (A.R.)
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy;
- University School for Advanced Studies IUSS Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Silverj
- Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (N.Z.); (A.T.); (A.S.); (R.P.)
- CIBIO Department, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy;
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (D.A.); (A.R.)
| | - Riccardo Piccinno
- Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (N.Z.); (A.T.); (A.S.); (R.P.)
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (D.A.); (A.R.)
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Julien Devilliers
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK; (J.D.); (C.L.); (R.F.)
| | - Clifton Lewis
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK; (J.D.); (C.L.); (R.F.)
| | - Daniele Arnoldi
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (D.A.); (A.R.)
| | - Fabrizio Montarsi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy;
| | - Paula Escuer
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (P.E.); (A.S.-G.)
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Fusco
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy;
| | | | - Roberto Feuda
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK; (J.D.); (C.L.); (R.F.)
| | - Alejandro Sánchez-Gracia
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (P.E.); (A.S.-G.)
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Annapaola Rizzoli
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (D.A.); (A.R.)
| | - Omar Rota-Stabelli
- Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (N.Z.); (A.T.); (A.S.); (R.P.)
- CIBIO Department, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy;
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (D.A.); (A.R.)
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Sauer FG, Pfitzner WP, Jöst H, Rauhöft L, Kliemke K, Lange U, Heitmann A, Jansen S, Lühken R. Using geometric wing morphometrics to distinguish Aedes japonicus japonicus and Aedes koreicus. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:418. [PMID: 37968721 PMCID: PMC10648383 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06038-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) and Aedes koreicus (Edwards, 1917) have rapidly spread in Europe over the last decades. Both species are very closely related and occur in sympatry. Females and males are difficult to distinguish. However, the accurate species discrimination is important as both species may differ in their vectorial capacity and spreading behaviour. In this study, we assessed the potential of geometric wing morphometrics as alternative to distinguish the two species. METHODS A total of 147 Ae. j. japonicus specimens (77 females and 70 males) and 124 Ae. koreicus specimens (67 females and 57 males) were collected in southwest Germany. The left wing of each specimen was removed, mounted and photographed. The coordinates of 18 landmarks on the vein crosses were digitalised by a single observer. The resulting two-dimensional dataset was used to analyse the differences in the wing size (i.e. centroid size) and wing shape between Ae. j. japonicus and Ae. koreicus using geometric morphometrics. To analyse the reproducibility of the analysis, the landmark collection was repeated for 20 specimens per sex and species by two additional observers. RESULTS The wing size in female Ae. koreicus was significantly greater than in Ae. j. japonicus but did not differ significantly for males. However, the strong overlap in wing size also for the females would not allow to discriminate the two species. In contrast, the wing shape clustering was species specific and a leave-one-out validation resulted in a reclassification accuracy of 96.5% for the females and 91.3% for the males. The data collected by different observers resulted in a similar accuracy, indicating a low observer bias for the landmark collection. CONCLUSIONS Geometric wing morphometrics provide a reliable and robust tool to distinguish female and male specimens of Ae. j. japonicus and Ae. koreicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix G Sauer
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Wolf Peter Pfitzner
- Kommunale Aktionsgemeinschaft Zur Bekämpfung Der Schnakenplage e. V. (KABS), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, 67346, Speyer, Germany
| | - Hanna Jöst
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leif Rauhöft
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Unchana Lange
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Heitmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Jansen
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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Garamszegi LZ, Soltész Z, Kurucz K, Szentiványi T. Using community science data to assess the association between urbanization and the presence of invasive Aedes species in Hungary. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:158. [PMID: 37147691 PMCID: PMC10161419 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05780-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urbanization can be a significant contributor to the spread of invasive mosquito vector species, and the diseases they carry, as urbanized habitats provide access to a great density of food resources (humans and domestic animals) and offer abundant breeding sites for these vectors. Although anthropogenic landscapes are often associated with the presence of invasive mosquito species, we still have little understanding about the relationships between some of these and the built environment. METHODS This study explores the association between urbanization level and the occurrence of invasive Aedes species, specifically Aedes albopictus, Aedes japonicus, and Aedes koreicus, in Hungary, using data from a community (or citizen) science program undertaken between 2019 and 2022. RESULTS The association between each of these species and urbanized landscapes within an extensive geographic area was found to differ. Using the same standardized approach, Ae. albopictus showed a statistically significant and positive relationship with urbanization, whereas Ae. japonicus and Ae. koreicus did not. CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the importance of community science to mosquito research, as the data gathered using this approach can be used to make qualitative comparisons between species to explore their ecological requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Zsolt Garamszegi
- Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163, Hungary.
- National Laboratory for Health Security, Centre for Ecological Research, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Zoltán Soltész
- Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163, Hungary
| | - Kornélia Kurucz
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Virology, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamara Szentiványi
- Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány u. 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163, Hungary
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
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Matos M, Bilic I, Palmieri N, Mitsch P, Sommer F, Tvarogová J, Liebhart D, Hess M. Epidemic of cutaneous fowlpox in a naïve population of chickens and turkeys in Austria: Detailed phylogenetic analysis indicates co-evolution of fowlpox virus with reticuloendotheliosis virus. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:2913-2923. [PMID: 34974640 PMCID: PMC9787674 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous fowlpox is a disease of chickens and turkeys caused by the fowlpox virus (FWPV), characterized by the development of proliferative lesions and scabs on unfeathered areas. FWPVs regularly carry an integrated, active copy of the reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), and it has been hypothesized that such FWPVs are more problematic in the field. Extensive outbreaks are usually observed in tropical and sub-tropical climates, where biting insects are more difficult to control. Here, we report an epidemic of 65 cutaneous fowlpox cases in Austria in layer chickens (91% of the cases) and broiler breeders and turkeys, all of them unvaccinated against the disease, from October 2018 to February 2020. The field data revealed appearance in flocks of different sizes ranging from less than 5000 birds up to more than 20,000 animals, with the majority raised indoors in a barn system. The clinical presentation was characterized by typical epithelial lesions on the head of the affected birds, with an average decrease of 6% in egg production and an average weekly mortality of 1.2% being observed in the flocks. A real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the presence of FWPV-REV DNA, not only in the lesions but also in the environmental dust from the poultry houses. The integration of the REV provirus into the FWPV genome was confirmed by PCR, and revealed different FWPV genome populations carrying either the REV long terminal repeats (LTRs) or the full-length REV genome, reiterating the instability of the inserted REV. Two selected samples were fully sequenced by next generation sequencing (NGS), and the whole genome phylogenetic analysis revealed a regional clustering of the FWPV genomes. The extensive nature of these outbreaks in host populations naïve for the virus is a remarkable feature of the present report, highlighting new challenges associated with FWPV infections that need to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Matos
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish MedicineDepartment for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public HealthUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Ivana Bilic
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish MedicineDepartment for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public HealthUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Nicola Palmieri
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish MedicineDepartment for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public HealthUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | | | - Jana Tvarogová
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish MedicineDepartment for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public HealthUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish MedicineDepartment for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public HealthUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish MedicineDepartment for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public HealthUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
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From a long-distance threat to the invasion front: a review of the invasive Aedes mosquito species in Belgium between 2007 and 2020. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:206. [PMID: 35698108 PMCID: PMC9195248 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05303-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive mosquito species (IMS) and their associated mosquito-borne diseases are emerging in Europe. In Belgium, the first detection of Aedes albopictus (Skuse 1894) occurred in 2000 and of Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald 1901) in 2002. Early detection and control of these IMS at points of entry (PoEs) are of paramount importance to slow down any possible establishment. This article reviews the introductions and establishments recorded of three IMS in Belgium based on published (2007–2014) and unpublished (2015–2020) data collected during several surveillance projects. In total, 52 PoEs were monitored at least once for the presence of IMS between 2007 and 2020. These included used tyre and lucky bamboo import companies, airports, ports, parking lots along highways, shelters for imported cutting plants, wholesale markets, industrial areas, recycling areas, cemeteries and an allotment garden at the country border with colonised areas. In general, monitoring was performed between April and November. Mosquitoes were captured with adult and oviposition traps as well as by larval sampling. Aedes albopictus was detected at ten PoEs, Ae. japonicus at three PoEs and Aedes koreicus (Edwards 1917) at two PoEs. The latter two species have established overwintering populations. The percentage of PoEs positive for Ae. albopictus increased significantly over years. Aedes albopictus is currently entering Belgium through lucky bamboo and used tyre trade and passive ground transport, while Ae. japonicus through used tyre trade and probably passive ground transport. In Belgium, the import through passive ground transport was first recorded in 2018 and its importance seems to be growing. Belgium is currently at the invasion front of Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus. The surveillance and control management actions at well-known PoEs associated to long-distance introductions are more straightforward than at less-defined PoEs associated with short-distance introductions from colonised areas. These latter PoEs represent a new challenge for IMS management in Belgium in the coming years. Aedes albopictus is expected to become established in Belgium in the coming years, hence increasing the likelihood of local arbovirus transmission. The implementation of a sustainable, structured and long-term IMS management programme, integrating active and passive entomological surveillance, vector control and Public Health surveillance is therefore pivotal.
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Bakran-Lebl K, Pree S, Brenner T, Daroglou E, Eigner B, Griesbacher A, Gunczy J, Hufnagl P, Jäger S, Jerrentrup H, Klocker L, Paill W, Petermann JS, Barogh BS, Schwerte T, Suchentrunk C, Wieser C, Wortha LN, Zechmeister T, Zezula D, Zimmermann K, Zittra C, Allerberger F, Fuehrer HP. First Nationwide Monitoring Program for the Detection of Potentially Invasive Mosquito Species in Austria. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13030276. [PMID: 35323574 PMCID: PMC8949374 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary In the last years several alien mosquito species have been introduced into Austria. Those species pose a threat, as they—especially the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)—can transmit many pathogens. The aim of this study is a nationwide overview on the situation of alien mosquitoes in Austria. Using traps representing ideal breeding sites for those mosquitoes, we collected, counted and identified the species of the mosquito eggs laid in the traps. The Asian tiger mosquito was found at two sites, once in Tyrol, where this species has been reported before, and for the first time in the province of Lower Austria. The Asian bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus) was widespread and abundant in Austria. Although it was found in all provinces, the Asian bush mosquito was more often found in the South than the North and more eggs were collected in urban/industrial/transport areas than in (mostly) natural areas. Further, more eggs from the Asian bush mosquito were found in samples collected at higher daily mean temperatures, and fewer eggs in samples collected at higher daily maximum wind speeds. The results of this study will help to better understand the risk from alien mosquitoes to human health in Austria and will be useful to show future changes in the distribution of those species. Abstract In Austria, only fragmented information on the occurrence of alien and potentially invasive mosquito species exists. The aim of this study is a nationwide overview on the situation of those mosquitoes in Austria. Using a nationwide uniform protocol for the first time, mosquito eggs were sampled with ovitraps at 45 locations in Austria at weekly intervals from May to October 2020. The sampled eggs were counted and the species were identified by genetic analysis. The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus was found at two sites, once in Tyrol, where this species has been reported before, and for the first time in the province of Lower Austria, at a motorway rest stop. The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus was widespread in Austria. It was found in all provinces and was the most abundant species in the ovitraps by far. Aedes japonicus was more abundant in the South than in the North and more eggs were found in habitats with artificial surfaces than in (semi-) natural areas. Further, the number of Ae. japonicus eggs increased with higher ambient temperature and decreased with higher wind speed. The results of this study will contribute to a better estimation of the risk of mosquito-borne disease in Austria and will be a useful baseline for a future documentation of changes in the distribution of those species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Bakran-Lebl
- Institute for Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, AGES—Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd., 1096 Vienna, Austria; (P.H.); (F.A.)
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Stefanie Pree
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
| | - Thomas Brenner
- GEBL—Gelsenbekaempfung in den Leithaauen, 2452 Mannersdorf, Austria;
| | - Eleni Daroglou
- Verein Biologische Gelsenregulierung March-Thaya Auen, 2273 Hohenau an der March, Austria; (E.D.); (H.J.)
| | - Barbara Eigner
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
| | - Antonia Griesbacher
- Data, Statistics & Risk Assessment, AGES—Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd., 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Johanna Gunczy
- Universalmuseum Joanneum, Studienzentrum Naturkunde, 8045 Graz, Austria; (J.G.); (W.P.)
| | - Peter Hufnagl
- Institute for Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, AGES—Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd., 1096 Vienna, Austria; (P.H.); (F.A.)
| | - Stefanie Jäger
- Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.J.); (T.S.)
| | - Hans Jerrentrup
- Verein Biologische Gelsenregulierung March-Thaya Auen, 2273 Hohenau an der March, Austria; (E.D.); (H.J.)
| | | | - Wolfgang Paill
- Universalmuseum Joanneum, Studienzentrum Naturkunde, 8045 Graz, Austria; (J.G.); (W.P.)
| | - Jana S. Petermann
- Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (J.S.P.); (D.Z.)
| | - Bita Shahi Barogh
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
| | - Thorsten Schwerte
- Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.J.); (T.S.)
| | | | | | - Licha N. Wortha
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
| | | | - David Zezula
- Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (J.S.P.); (D.Z.)
| | | | - Carina Zittra
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Franz Allerberger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, AGES—Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd., 1096 Vienna, Austria; (P.H.); (F.A.)
| | - Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.P.); (B.E.); (B.S.B.); (L.N.W.); (H.-P.F.)
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Kerkow A, Wieland R, Gethmann JM, Hölker F, Lentz HH. Linking a compartment model for West Nile virus with a flight simulator for vector mosquitoes. Ecol Modell 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Čabanová V, Boršová K, Svitok M, Oboňa J, Svitková I, Barbušinová E, Derka T, Sláviková M, Klempa B. An unwanted companion reaches the country: the first record of the alien mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) in Slovakia. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:572. [PMID: 34772447 PMCID: PMC8588666 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05062-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive mosquitoes of the genus Aedes are quickly spreading around the world. The presence of these alien species is concerning for both their impact on the native biodiversity and their high vector competence. The surveillance of Aedes invasive mosquito (AIM) species is one of the most important steps in vector-borne disease control and prevention. METHODS In 2020, the monitoring of AIM species was conducted in five areas (Bratislava, Zvolen, Banská Bystrica, Prešov, Košice) of Slovakia. The sites were located at points of entry (border crossings with Austria and Hungary) and in the urban and rural zones of cities and their surroundings. Ovitraps were used at the majority of sites as a standard method of monitoring. The collected specimens were identified morphologically, with subsequent molecular identification by conventional PCR (cox1) and Sanger sequencing. The phylogenetic relatedness of the obtained sequences was inferred by the maximum likelihood (ML) method. The nucleotide heterogeneity of the Slovak sequences was analysed by the index of disparity. RESULTS A bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus japonicus, was found and confirmed by molecular methods in three geographically distant areas of Slovakia-Bratislava, Zvolen and Prešov. The presence of AIM species is also likely in Košice; however, the material was not subjected to molecular identification. The nucleotide sequences of some Slovak strains confirm their significant heterogeneity. They were placed in several clusters on the ML phylogenetic tree. Moreover, Ae. j. japonicus was discovered in regions of Slovakia that are not close to a point of entry, where the mosquitoes could find favourable habitats in dendrothelms in city parks or forests. CONCLUSION Despite being a first record of the Ae. j. japonicus in Slovakia, our study indicates that the established populations already exist across the country, underlining the urgent need for intensified surveillance of AIM species as well as mosquito-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktória Čabanová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Kristína Boršová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Marek Svitok
- Department of Biology and General Ecology, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
- Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jozef Oboňa
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, 17 Novembra č. 1, 081 16 Prešov, Slovakia
| | - Ivana Svitková
- Institute of Botany, Plant Science and Biodiversity Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 23 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Barbušinová
- Department of Breeding and Diseases of Game, Fish and Bees, Ecology and Cynology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Tomáš Derka
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Iľkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Sláviková
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Boris Klempa
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Krupa E, Gréhal AL, Esnault J, Bender C, Mathieu B. Laboratory Evaluation of Flight Capacities of Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) Using a Flight Mill Device. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2021; 21:6449198. [PMID: 34865033 PMCID: PMC8643834 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieab093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Dispersion expands the distribution of invasive species and as such, it is a key factor of the colonization process. Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) is an invasive species of mosquito and a vector of various viruses. It was detected in the northeast of France in 2014. The population of this species can expand its distribution by several kilometers per year. However, though flight capacities play an active part in the dispersion of Ae. japonicus, they remain unknown for this species. In this study, we investigated the flight capacities of Ae. japonicus in a laboratory setting using the flight mill technique. We evaluated the influence of age on flight. We recorded videos of individual flights with a camera mounted on Raspberry Pi. We extracted data on distance, duration, and speed of flight using the Toxtrac and Boris software. Our analysis showed a median flight distance of 438 m with a maximum of 11,466 m. Strong flyers, which represented 10% of the females tested, flew more than 6,115 m during 4 h and 28 min at a speed of 1.7 km per h. As suspected, Ae. japonicus is a stronger flyer than the other invasive species Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) (Diptera: Culicidae). To our knowledge, this is the first flight mill study conducted on Ae. japonicus and therefore the first evaluation of its flight capacity. In the future, the flight propensity of Ae. japonicus determined in this study can be included as a parameter to model the colonization process of this invasive vector species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Krupa
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, UR7292 Dynamique des interactions hôte pathogène, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alexa-Lou Gréhal
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, UR7292 Dynamique des interactions hôte pathogène, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jérémy Esnault
- Syndicat de Lutte contre les Moustiques du Bas-Rhin (SLM67), F-67630, Lauterbourg, France
| | - Christelle Bender
- Syndicat de Lutte contre les Moustiques du Bas-Rhin (SLM67), F-67630, Lauterbourg, France
| | - Bruno Mathieu
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, UR7292 Dynamique des interactions hôte pathogène, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
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10
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Eritja R, Delacour-Estrella S, Ruiz-Arrondo I, González MA, Barceló C, García-Pérez AL, Lucientes J, Miranda MÁ, Bartumeus F. At the tip of an iceberg: citizen science and active surveillance collaborating to broaden the known distribution of Aedes japonicus in Spain. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:375. [PMID: 34311767 PMCID: PMC8314548 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04874-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Active surveillance aimed at the early detection of invasive mosquito species is usually focused on seaports and airports as points of entry, and along road networks as dispersion paths. In a number of cases, however, the first detections of colonizing populations are made by citizens, either because the species has already moved beyond the implemented active surveillance sites or because there is no surveillance in place. This was the case of the first detection in 2018 of the Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus, in Asturias (northern Spain) by the citizen science platform Mosquito Alert. METHODS The collaboration between Mosquito Alert, the Ministry of Health, local authorities and academic researchers resulted in a multi-source surveillance combining active field sampling with broader temporal and spatial citizen-sourced data, resulting in a more flexible and efficient surveillance strategy. RESULTS Between 2018 and 2020, the joint efforts of administrative bodies, academic teams and citizen-sourced data led to the discovery of this species in northern regions of Spain such as Cantabria and the Basque Country. This raised the estimated area of occurrence of Ae. japonicus from < 900 km2 in 2018 to > 7000 km2 in 2020. CONCLUSIONS This population cluster is geographically isolated from any other population in Europe, which raises questions about its origin, path of introduction and dispersal means, while also highlighting the need to enhance surveillance systems by closely combining crowd-sourced surveillance with public health and mosquito control agencies' efforts, from local to continental scales. This multi-actor approach for surveillance (either passive and active) shows high potential efficiency in the surveillance of other invasive mosquito species, and specifically the major vector Aedes aegypti which is already present in some parts of Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Eritja
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo
- Center for Rickettsioses and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital Universitario San Pedro–CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Mikel A. González
- NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
| | - Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation research group, Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB), Palma, Spain
| | - Ana L. García-Pérez
- NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Spain
| | - Javier Lucientes
- The Agrifood Institute of Aragón (IA2), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel Á. Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation research group, Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB), Palma, Spain
- Agro-Environmental and Water Economics Institute (INAGEA), Palma, Spain
| | - Frederic Bartumeus
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Horváth C, Cazan CD, Mihalca AD. Emergence of the invasive Asian bush mosquito, Aedes (Finlaya) japonicus japonicus, in an urban area, Romania. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:192. [PMID: 33827665 PMCID: PMC8024677 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04698-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A study conducted at the International Airport of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, with the aim of investigating the presence/absence of invasive Aedes mosquito species resulted in finding Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald 1901) eggs in one of the ovitraps placed on site. Methods The study was carried out between 30 June and 29 September 2020. On 24 August, 26 eggs were collected and later hatched at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca’s insectary. On 15 October another adult female Ae. japonicus was caught entering a building in the center of the city, about 7 km from the first sampling spot. Results The mosquitoes were identified morphologically and confirmed by molecular analysis, based on the genetic analysis of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI). Conclusion This is the first report of the species in Romania, highlighting the need for surveillance and implemented control methods. However, in Romania to our knowledge only Aedes albopictus has been established; further studies are required to learn about this new invasive species' status in Romania. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Horváth
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Cristina Daniela Cazan
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,CDS-9, "Regele Mihai I al României" Life Science Institute, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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12
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Smitz N, De Wolf K, Deblauwe I, Kampen H, Schaffner F, De Witte J, Schneider A, Verlé I, Vanslembrouck A, Dekoninck W, Meganck K, Gombeer S, Vanderheyden A, De Meyer M, Backeljau T, Werner D, Müller R, Van Bortel W. Population genetic structure of the Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus (Diptera, Culicidae), in Belgium suggests multiple introductions. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:179. [PMID: 33766104 PMCID: PMC7995749 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04676-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes japonicus japonicus has expanded beyond its native range and has established in multiple European countries, including Belgium. In addition to the population located at Natoye, Belgium, locally established since 2002, specimens were recently collected along the Belgian border. The first objective of this study was therefore to investigate the origin of these new introductions, which were assumed to be related to the expansion of the nearby population in western Germany. Also, an intensive elimination campaign was undertaken at Natoye between 2012 and 2015, after which the species was declared to be eradicated. This species was re-detected in 2017, and thus the second objective was to investigate if these specimens resulted from a new introduction event and/or from a few undetected specimens that escaped the elimination campaign. METHODS Population genetic variation at nad4 and seven microsatellite loci was surveyed in 224 and 68 specimens collected in Belgium and Germany, respectively. German samples were included as reference to investigate putative introduction source(s). At Natoye, 52 and 135 specimens were collected before and after the elimination campaign, respectively, to investigate temporal changes in the genetic composition and diversity. RESULTS At Natoye, the genotypic microsatellite make-up showed a clear difference before and after the elimination campaign. Also, the population after 2017 displayed an increased allelic richness and number of private alleles, indicative of new introduction(s). However, the Natoye population present before the elimination programme is believed to have survived at low density. At the Belgian border, clustering results suggest a relation with the western German population. Whether the introduction(s) occur via passive human-mediated ground transport or, alternatively, by natural spread cannot be determined yet from the dataset. CONCLUSION Further introductions within Belgium are expected to occur in the near future, especially along the eastern Belgian border, which is at the front of the invasion of Ae. japonicus towards the west. Our results also point to the complexity of controlling invasive species, since 4 years of intense control measures were found to be not completely successful at eliminating this exotic at Natoye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Smitz
- Royal Museum for Central Africa (BopCo & Biology Department), Leuvensesteenweg 17, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium.
| | - Katrien De Wolf
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Isra Deblauwe
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich Loeffler Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Jacobus De Witte
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Anna Schneider
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ingrid Verlé
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Adwine Vanslembrouck
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.,Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wouter Dekoninck
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kenny Meganck
- Royal Museum for Central Africa (BopCo & Biology Department), Leuvensesteenweg 17, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Sophie Gombeer
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ann Vanderheyden
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marc De Meyer
- Royal Museum for Central Africa (BopCo & Biology Department), Leuvensesteenweg 17, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Thierry Backeljau
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (BopCo & Scientific Heritage Service), Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium.,Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Ruth Müller
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Van Bortel
- The Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.,Outbreak Research Team, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
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Baharmand I, Coatsworth H, Peach DAH, Belton P, Lowenberger C. Molecular relationships of introduced Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) populations in British Columbia, Canada using mitochondrial DNA. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2020; 45:285-296. [PMID: 33207061 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald) is a relatively recent immigrant to the Pacific Northwest, having been collected in Washington State in 2001 and in British Columbia (BC) since 2014. We applied a molecular barcoding approach to determine the phylogenetic relationship of Ae. j. japonicus populations in BC with those from around the world. We sequenced a 617 base-pair segment of the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene and a 330 base-pair region of the NADH dehydrogenase 4 gene to find genetic variation and characterize phylogenetic and haplotypic relationships based on nucleotide divergences. Our results revealed low genetic diversity in the BC samples, suggesting that these populations arose from the same introduction event. However, our approach lacked the granularity to identify the exact country of origin of the Ae. j. japonicus collected in BC. Future efforts should focus on detecting and preventing new Ae. j. japonicus introductions, recognizing that current molecular techniques are unable to pin-point the precise source of an introduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Baharmand
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Heather Coatsworth
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Daniel A H Peach
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Peter Belton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Carl Lowenberger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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14
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Glavinic U, Varga J, Paslaru AI, Hauri J, Torgerson P, Schaffner F, Veronesi E. Assessing the role of two populations of Aedes japonicus japonicus for Zika virus transmission under a constant and a fluctuating temperature regime. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:479. [PMID: 32948231 PMCID: PMC7501641 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04361-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the huge epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil in 2015, questions were raised to understand which mosquito species could transmit the virus. Aedes aegypti has been described as the main vector. However, other Aedes species (e.g. Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) proven to be competent for other flaviviruses (e.g. West Nile, dengue and yellow fever), have been described as potential vectors for ZIKV under laboratory conditions. One of these, the Asian bush mosquito, Ae. japonicus, is widely distributed with high abundances in central-western Europe. In the present study, infection, dissemination and transmission rates of ZIKV (Dak84 strain) in two populations of Ae. japonicus from Switzerland (Zürich) and France (Steinbach, Haut-Rhin) were investigated under constant (27 °C) and fluctuating (14-27 °C, mean 23 °C) temperature regimes. RESULTS The two populations were each able to transmit ZIKV under both temperature regimes. Infectious virus particles were detected in the saliva of females from both populations, regardless of the incubation temperature regime, from 7 days post-exposure to infectious rabbit blood. The highest amount of plaque forming units (PFU) (400/ml) were recorded 14 days post-oral infection in the Swiss population incubated at a constant temperature. No difference in terms of infection, dissemination and transmission rate were found between mosquito populations. Temperature had no effect on infection rate but the fluctuating temperature regime resulted in higher dissemination rates compared to constant temperature, regardless of the population. Finally, transmission efficiency ranged between 7-23% and 7-10% for the constant temperature and 0-10% and 3-27% under fluctuating temperatures for the Swiss and the French populations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study confirming vector competence for ZIKV of Ae. japonicus originating from Switzerland and France at realistic summer temperatures under laboratory conditions. Considering the continuous spread of this species in the northern part of Europe and its adaptation at cooler temperatures, preventative control measures should be adopted to prevent possible ZIKV epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uros Glavinic
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jasmin Varga
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anca Ioana Paslaru
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jeannine Hauri
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paul Torgerson
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Francis Schaffner
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Francis Schaffner Consultancy, Lörracherstrasse 50, 4125, Riehen, Switzerland
| | - Eva Veronesi
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Fuehrer HP, Schoener E, Weiler S, Barogh BS, Zittra C, Walder G. Monitoring of alien mosquitoes in Western Austria (Tyrol, Austria, 2018). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008433. [PMID: 32574163 PMCID: PMC7337398 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes are of major importance to human and animal health due to their ability to transmit various pathogens. In Europe the role of mosquitoes in public health has increased with the introduction of alien Aedes mosquitoes such as the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus; the Asian bush mosquito, Ae. japonicus; and Ae. koreicus. In Austria, Ae. japonicus has established populations in various regions of the country. Aedes albopictus is not known to overwinter in Austria, although isolated findings of eggs and adult female mosquitoes have been previously reported, especially in Tyrol. Aedes koreicus had not so far been found in Austria. Within the framework of an alien mosquito surveillance program in the Austrian province of Tyrol, ovitraps were set up weekly from May to October, 2018, at 67 sites– 17 in East Tyrol and 50 in North Tyrol. Sampling was performed at highways and at urban and rural areas. DNA obtained from mosquito eggs was barcoded using molecular techniques and sequences were analysed to species level. Eggs of alien Aedes species were found at 18 out of 67 sites (27%). Both Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus were documented at highways and urban areas in both East and North Tyrol. Aedes koreicus was found in East Tyrol. During this mosquito surveillance program, eggs of Ae. albopictus, Ae. japonicus, and Ae. koreicus were documented in the Austrian province of Tyrol. These findings not only show highways to be points of entry, but also point to possible establishment processes of Ae. japonicus in Tyrol. Moreover, Ae. koreicus was documented in Austria for the first time. The importance of mosquitoes for Public Health in Europe increased dramatically with the introduction of alien species considered to be competent vectors of important human pathogens (e.g. dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses), which autochthonous mosquitoes are not yet known to transmit. The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), the Asian bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus), and Aedes koreicus are particularly of relevance, as they are expanding their range in Europe. Tyrol, a region in the Alps with main transport routes from Italy to Germany is of high relevance for the spread of potential invasive, alien Aedes mosquitoes. In this study, we demonstrate highways to be points of entry, and point to possible establishment of the Asian tiger mosquito and the East Asian bush mosquito in Tyrol (findings at highways and urban areas). Moreover, we report the first findings of Ae. koreicus in Austria, this species having most probably spread from neighbouring populations in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | - Ellen Schoener
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Bita Shahi Barogh
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carina Zittra
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gernot Walder
- Dr. Gernot Walder GmbH, Austria
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Fălcuţă E, Prioteasa LF, Horváth C, Păstrav IR, Schaffner F, Mihalca AD. The invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus in Romania: towards a country-wide colonization? Parasitol Res 2020; 119:841-845. [PMID: 32036439 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06620-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Currently, five invasive Aedes mosquito species are of concern in Europe according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae. atropalpus, Ae. japonicus, and Ae. koreicus. Among these, only Ae. albopictus was reported to occur in Romania, in Bucharest. The aim of this study was to update the knowledge on the distribution of this invasive mosquito species in Romania, by investigating new potential locations. Monitoring of Ae. albopictus was carried out between May 2017 and October 2018. Three types of traps (CDC-Gravid Traps, CDC miniature Light Traps, ovitraps) were placed in 53 localities in 13 counties at sites suitable for container-breeding mosquitoes. Collected adult mosquitoes were counted and identified according to morphological criteria. Larvae were found present in domestic containers and rain catch basins. Aedes albopictus adults and eggs were collected in 10 localities in eight counties across Romania. Our study confirms nine new localities and seven counties where Ae. albopictus became established in Romania, highlighting the need for surveillance to further assess the species' distribution and abundance, as well as the pathogen transmission risk related to that vector species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Fălcuţă
- Cantacuzino National Institute of Research-Development for Microbiology and Immunology, 103 Splaiul Independenței, 050096, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Liviu Florian Prioteasa
- Cantacuzino National Institute of Research-Development for Microbiology and Immunology, 103 Splaiul Independenței, 050096, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cintia Horváth
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Ioana Raluca Păstrav
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Active dispersion, habitat requirements and human biting behaviour of the invasive mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) in Hungary. Parasitol Res 2019; 119:403-410. [PMID: 31873769 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06582-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Aedes japonicus japonicus is endemic in a number of countries in eastern Asia but has been accidently introduced into many regions of the world including Europe. It was first detected in Hungary in 2012. In 2017, robust populations of the species were found at Lake Balaton, one of the most important tourist destinations in Central Europe. Based on the experience gathered in the above localities, habitat requirements, dispersion abilities and human biting behaviour of the species were studied in western Hungary during 2017 and 2018. Our results show that (a) a few years after its detection at the Slovenian-Hungarian border, Ae. j. japonicus is widespread in at least two-thirds of the western half of Hungary; (b) the species spreads quickly in ecological corridors formed by mosaics of rural areas, detached houses, gardens and small forest patches; (c) Ae. j. japonicus occupies artificial containers; (d) expansion of the species into new areas is slowed by extensive closed forest patches.
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Badenhorst M, de Heus P, Auer A, Rümenapf T, Tegtmeyer B, Kolodziejek J, Nowotny N, Steinmann E, Cavalleri JMV. No Evidence of Mosquito Involvement in the Transmission of Equine Hepacivirus (Flaviviridae) in an Epidemiological Survey of Austrian Horses. Viruses 2019; 11:v11111014. [PMID: 31683893 PMCID: PMC6893842 DOI: 10.3390/v11111014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prevalence studies have demonstrated a global distribution of equine hepacivirus (EqHV), a member of the family Flaviviridae. However, apart from a single case of vertical transmission, natural routes of EqHV transmission remain elusive. Many known flaviviruses are horizontally transmitted between hematophagous arthropods and vertebrate hosts. This study represents the first investigation of potential EqHV transmission by mosquitoes. More than 5000 mosquitoes were collected across Austria and analyzed for EqHV ribonucleic acid (RNA) by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Concurrently, 386 serum samples from horses in eastern Austria were analyzed for EqHV-specific antibodies by luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) and for EqHV RNA by RT-qPCR. Additionally, liver-specific biochemistry parameters were compared between EqHV RNA-positive horses and EqHV RNA-negative horses. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted in comparison to previously published sequences from various origins. No EqHV RNA was detected in mosquito pools. Serum samples yielded an EqHV antibody prevalence of 45.9% (177/386) and RNA prevalence of 4.15% (16/386). EqHV RNA-positive horses had significantly higher glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) levels (p = 0.013) than control horses. Phylogenetic analysis showed high similarity between nucleotide sequences of EqHV in Austrian horses and EqHV circulating in other regions. Despite frequently detected evidence of EqHV infection in Austrian horses, no viral RNA was found in mosquitoes. It is therefore unlikely that mosquitoes are vectors of this flavivirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcha Badenhorst
- University Equine Clinic - Internal Medicine, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Phebe de Heus
- University Equine Clinic - Internal Medicine, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Angelika Auer
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Till Rümenapf
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Birthe Tegtmeyer
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Medical School Hannover (MHH) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Jolanta Kolodziejek
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Norbert Nowotny
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Building 14, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE.
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Jessika-M V Cavalleri
- University Equine Clinic - Internal Medicine, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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Peach DAH, Almond M, Pol JC. Modeled distributions of Aedes japonicus japonicus and Aedes togoi (Diptera: Culicidae) in the United States, Canada, and northern Latin America. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2019; 44:119-129. [PMID: 31124225 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus japonicus, and the coastal rock pool mosquito, Aedes togoi, are potential disease vectors present in both East Asia and North America. While their ranges are fairly well-documented in Asia, this is not the case for North America. We used maximum entropy modeling to estimate the potential distributions of Ae. togoi and Ae. j. japonicus in the United States, Canada, and northern Latin America under contemporary and future climatic conditions. Our results suggest suitable habitat that is not known to be occupied for Ae. j. japonicus in Atlantic and western Canada, Alaska, the western, midwestern, southern, and northeastern United States, and Latin America, and for Ae. togoi along the Pacific coast of North America and the Hawaiian Islands. Such areas are at risk of future invasion or may already contain undetected populations of these species. Our findings further predict that the limits of suitable habitat for each species will expand northward under future climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A H Peach
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Max Almond
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Joshua C Pol
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
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Montarsi F, Martini S, Michelutti A, Da Rold G, Mazzucato M, Qualizza D, Di Gennaro D, Di Fant M, Dal Pont M, Palei M, Capelli G. The invasive mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus is spreading in northeastern Italy. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:120. [PMID: 30909981 PMCID: PMC6434805 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3387-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The invasive mosquito species, Aedes japonicus japonicus, was detected in northeastern Italy for the first time in 2015, at the border with Austria. After this finding, a more intensive monitoring was carried out to assess its distribution and to collect biological data. Herein, we report the results of four years (2015-2018) of activity. METHODS The presence of Ae. j. japonicus was checked in all possible breeding sites through collections of larvae. The monitoring started from the site of the first detection at the Austrian border and then was extended in all directions. The mosquitoes were identified morphologically and molecularly. RESULTS Aedes j. japonicus was found in 58 out of 73 municipalities monitored (79.5%). In total (2015-2018), 238 sampling sites were monitored and 90 were positive for presence of Ae. j. japonicus larvae (37.8%). The mosquito was collected mainly in artificial containers located in small villages and in rural areas. Cohabitation with other mosquito species was observed in 55.6% of the samplings. CONCLUSIONS Aedes j. japonicus is well established in Italy and in only four years has colonised two Italian Regions, displaying rapid spreading throughout hilly and mountainous areas. Colonization towards the south seems limited by climatic conditions and the occurrence of a large population of the larval competitor, Ae. albopictus. The further spread of Ae. j. japonicus has the potential to pose new threats of zoonotic agents (i.e. Dirofilaria spp. and West Nile virus) within areas at altitudes previously considered at negligible risk in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alice Michelutti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Graziana Da Rold
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Matteo Mazzucato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Davide Qualizza
- Azienda per l’Assistenza Sanitaria A.A.S. 3-Alto Friuli, Collinare e Medio Friuli, S.O.C. Igiene e Sanità Pubblica, Gemona del Friuli, Udine, Italy
| | - Domenico Di Gennaro
- Azienda per l’Assistenza Sanitaria A.A.S. 3-Alto Friuli, Collinare e Medio Friuli, S.O.C. Igiene e Sanità Pubblica, Gemona del Friuli, Udine, Italy
| | - Marcella Di Fant
- Azienda per l’Assistenza Sanitaria A.A.S. 3-Alto Friuli, Collinare e Medio Friuli, S.O.C. Igiene e Sanità Pubblica, Gemona del Friuli, Udine, Italy
| | - Marco Dal Pont
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine-Dipartimento di Prevenzione A.S.S. 4-Medio Friuli, Udine, Italy
| | - Manlio Palei
- Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia, Direzione Centrale Salute, Integrazione Sociosanitaria e Politiche Sociali-Servizio Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
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21
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Monitoring of alien mosquitoes of the genus Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Austria. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:1633-1638. [PMID: 30877440 PMCID: PMC6478629 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06287-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Systematic, continuous mosquito surveillance is considered the most reliable tool to predict the spread and establishment of alien mosquito species such as the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), Japanese bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus), and the transmission risk of mosquito-borne arboviruses to humans. Only single individuals of Ae. albopictus have been found in Austria so far. However, it is likely that the species will be able to establish populations in the future due to global trade and traffic as well as increasing temperatures in the course of global climate change. In summer 2017, a project surveilling the oviposition of newly introduced Aedes mosquitoes, using ovitraps, was set up by means of citizen scientists and researchers and was performed in six federal provinces of Austria-Tyrol, Carinthia, Vienna, Lower Austria, Styria, and Burgenland. Eggs of Ae. albopictus were identified in Tyrol during the months August and September, while Ae. japonicus was found in Lower Austria, Styria, and Burgenland. In Vienna and Carinthia, all ovitraps were negative for Aedes eggs; however, Ae. japonicus was found for the first time in Vienna in July 2017 during routine sampling of adult mosquitoes. With this project, we demonstrated the benefits of citizen scientists for ovitrap-based mosquito surveillance. The finding of Ae. albopictus eggs in Northern Tyrol is not yet a proof of the establishment of a self-sustaining population, although it indicates the ongoing introduction of this species along main traffic routes from Italy, where this mosquito is well established. The risk of establishment of the tiger mosquito in the Lower Inn Valley is therefore a given and informing the public about preventive measures to hinder and delay this development is highly recommended.
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Koban MB, Kampen H, Scheuch DE, Frueh L, Kuhlisch C, Janssen N, Steidle JLM, Schaub GA, Werner D. The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Europe, 17 years after its first detection, with a focus on monitoring methods. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:109. [PMID: 30871592 PMCID: PMC6419366 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3349-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
After the first detection of the Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus in the year 2000 in France, its invasive nature was revealed in 2008 in Switzerland and Germany. In the following years, accumulating reports have shown that Ae. j. japonicus succeeded in establishing in several European countries. Surveillance efforts suggest that there are currently four populations in Europe, with the largest one, formed by the recent fusion of several smaller populations, ranging from West Germany, with extensions to Luxembourg and French Alsace, southwards to Switzerland and continuing westwards through Liechtenstein to western Austria. This paper summarises the present distribution of Ae. j. japonicus in Europe, based on published literature and hitherto unpublished findings by the authors, and critically reviews the monitoring strategies applied. A proposal for a more standardised monitoring approach is provided, aiming at the harmonisation of future data collections for improving the comparability between studies and the suitability of collected data for further research purposes, e.g. predictive modelling approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel B. Koban
- Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
- University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dorothee E. Scheuch
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Linus Frueh
- Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
| | | | - Nele Janssen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | | | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
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Klobučar A, Lipovac I, Žagar N, Mitrović-Hamzić S, Tešić V, Vilibić-Čavlek T, Merdić E. First record and spreading of the invasive mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) in Croatia. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 33:171-176. [PMID: 30144125 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Aedes (Hulecoeteomyia) japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) has recently established across North America and Central Europe. A 3-year survey was conducted in northwestern Croatian regions from 2013 to 2015 using mosquito ovitraps at possible points of entry and house yards, occasionally complemented by larval collections from cemetery vases. In the first year, the survey investigated the county bordering Slovenia, where the first detection of Ae. j. japonicus had taken place on 28 August 2013. During the next 2 years, Ae. j. japonicus was detected in this area from early May until late October. In 2015, several counties further to the east were included in the survey, leading to the detection of Ae. j. japonicus approximately 100 km eastward from the initially surveyed region. Given a moderate continental climate and homogeneous climatic conditions in this part of Europe, the eastward spread of Ae. j. japonicus can be expected to continue.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Klobučar
- Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - I Lipovac
- Department of Epidemiology, Krapina-Zagorje County Institute of Public Health, Zlatar, Croatia
| | - N Žagar
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - S Mitrović-Hamzić
- Department of Epidemiology, Bjelovar-Bilogora County Institute of Public Health, Bjelovar, Croatia
| | - V Tešić
- Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - T Vilibić-Čavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - E Merdić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
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24
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Eritja R, Ruiz-Arrondo I, Delacour-Estrella S, Schaffner F, Álvarez-Chachero J, Bengoa M, Puig MÁ, Melero-Alcíbar R, Oltra A, Bartumeus F. First detection of Aedes japonicus in Spain: an unexpected finding triggered by citizen science. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:53. [PMID: 30674335 PMCID: PMC6344982 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3317-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes japonicus is an invasive vector mosquito from Southeast Asia which has been spreading across central Europe since the year 2000. Unlike the Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) present in Spain since 2004, there has been no record of Ae. japonicus in the country until now. RESULTS Here, we report the first detection of Ae. japonicus in Spain, at its southernmost location in Europe. This finding was triggered by the citizen science platform Mosquito Alert. In June 2018, a citizen sent a report via the Mosquito Alert app from the municipality of Siero in the Asturias region (NW Spain) containing pictures of a female mosquito compatible with Ae. japonicus. Further information was requested from the participant, who subsequently provided several larvae and adults that could be classified as Ae. japonicus. In July, a field mission confirmed its presence at the original site and in several locations up to 9 km away, suggesting a long-time establishment. The strong media impact in Asturias derived from the discovery raised local participation in the Mosquito Alert project, resulting in further evidence from surrounding areas. CONCLUSIONS Whilst in the laboratory Ae. japonicus is a competent vector for several mosquito-borne pathogens, to date only West Nile virus is a concern based on field evidence. Nonetheless, this virus has yet not been detected in Asturias so the vectorial risk is currently considered low. The opportunity and effectiveness of combining citizen-sourced data to traditional surveillance methods are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Eritja
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo
- Center for Rickettsioses and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Sarah Delacour-Estrella
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Francis Schaffner
- Francis Schaffner Consultancy, 4125 Riehen, Switzerland
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, VetSuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Mikel Bengoa
- Consultoria Moscard Tigre, 07013 Palma de Mallorca, Islas Baleares Spain
| | | | | | - Aitana Oltra
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), 17300 Blanes, Spain
| | - Frederic Bartumeus
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), 17300 Blanes, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
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Camp JV, Kolodziejek J, Nowotny N. Targeted surveillance reveals native and invasive mosquito species infected with Usutu virus. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:46. [PMID: 30665453 PMCID: PMC6341546 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3316-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence of Usutu virus (USUV) in Europe was first reported in Austria, 2001, and the virus has since spread to many European countries. Initial outbreaks are marked by a mass die-off of European blackbirds (Turdus merula) and other bird species. During outbreaks, the virus has been detected in pools of Culex pipiens mosquitoes, and these mosquitoes are probably the most important enzootic vectors. Beginning in 2017, a second wave of blackbird deaths associated with USUV was observed in eastern Austria; the affected areas expanded to the Austrian federal states of Styria in the south and to Upper Austria in the west in 2018. We sampled the potential vector population at selected sites of bird deaths in 2018 in order to identify infected mosquitoes. Results We detected USUV RNA in 16 out of 19 pools of Cx. pipiens/Cx. torrentium mosquitoes at sites of USUV-linked blackbird mortality in Linz and Graz, Austria. A disseminated virus infection was detected in individuals from selected pools, suggesting that Cx. pipiens form pipiens was the principal vector. In addition to a high rate of infected Cx. pipiens collected from Graz, a disseminated virus infection was detected in a pool of Aedes japonicus japonicus. Conclusions We show herein that naturally-infected mosquitoes at foci of USUV activity are primarily Cx. pipiens form pipiens. In addition, we report the first natural infection of Ae. j. japonicus with USUV, suggesting that it may be involved in the epizootic transmission of USUV in Europe. Ae. j. japonicus is an invasive mosquito whose range is expanding in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy V Camp
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Jolanta Kolodziejek
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Norbert Nowotny
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Pfitzner WP, Lehner A, Hoffmann D, Czajka C, Becker N. First record and morphological characterization of an established population of Aedes (Hulecoeteomyia) koreicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Germany. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:662. [PMID: 30558660 PMCID: PMC6296035 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3199-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The East Asian mosquito species Aedes koreicus was recorded out of its native range for the first time in Belgium in 2008. Since then, several other European populations or single individuals have been observed throughout Europe with reports from Italy, Switzerland, European Russia, Slovenia, Germany and Hungary. The Italian population seems to be the only one that is expanding rapidly, so the Swiss population very likely derives from it. RESULTS In a surveillance program for invasive mosquito species, a single larva of Ae. koreicus was found in a cemetery vase in 2016 in the city of Wiesbaden, Germany. In the following year the finding was confirmed and an established population could be proven over an area of about 50 km2. The morphological identification of the first larva was confirmed by sequencing of a region within the nad4 sequence. A study of adult females showed that the morphological characteristics of this population are not identical to the populations from Belgium and Italy. The eggs and larvae were found together with Aedes j. japonicus in the same breeding sites and ovitraps, as well as with other indigenous mosquito species such as Culex pipiens/Culex torrentium, Aedes geniculatus and Anopheles plumbeus. CONCLUSIONS Since the newly discovered population in Germany shows different morphological characteristics to the populations in Belgium and Italy, it seems to originate from an independent introduction. It remains unknown how the introduction took place. A further spread similar to the one in northern Italy can be assumed for the future due to similar climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolf Peter Pfitzner
- Kommunale Aktionsgemeinschaft zur Bekämpfung der Schnakenplage e. V. (KABS), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, 67346 Speyer, Germany
| | - Alice Lehner
- Kommunale Aktionsgemeinschaft zur Bekämpfung der Schnakenplage e. V. (KABS), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, 67346 Speyer, Germany
| | - Daniel Hoffmann
- Kommunale Aktionsgemeinschaft zur Bekämpfung der Schnakenplage e. V. (KABS), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, 67346 Speyer, Germany
| | - Christina Czajka
- Kommunale Aktionsgemeinschaft zur Bekämpfung der Schnakenplage e. V. (KABS), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, 67346 Speyer, Germany
| | - Norbert Becker
- Kommunale Aktionsgemeinschaft zur Bekämpfung der Schnakenplage e. V. (KABS), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, 67346 Speyer, Germany
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27
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Kurucz K, Kiss V, Zana B, Jakab F, Kemenesi G. Filarial nematode (order: Spirurida) surveillance in urban habitats, in the city of Pécs (Hungary). Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3355-3360. [PMID: 30196322 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6066-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
As part of the seasonal mosquito control activities in the city of Pécs (Baranya County, Hungary), a total of 1123 adult female mosquitoes belonging to 18 species (including the invasive species Aedes koreicus) were collected from human-inhabited areas, using CO2-baited traps, during two consecutive years. To survey the presence and prevalence of filarial parasites in these mosquitoes, we performed a molecular survey for filarial DNA, attempted by PCR using generic primers (COI), and followed by DNA sequencing. Filaroid nematode DNA was detected in 4% of investigated mosquito pools. Out of 410 pools, 9 pools of mosquitoes were positive for Dirofilaria repens (Aedes vexans, Aedes koreicus, Coquillettidia richiardii), and/or Dirofilaria immitis (Ae. vexans, Cq. richiardii), and further 8 pools were positive for Setaria tundra (Ae. vexans, Cq. richiardii). Our study provides novel insight for prevalence of filaroid nematodes in mosquitoes occurring in close proximity to humans, thereby highlights the possible human and veterinary health importance of these mosquito species, including the recently introduced invasive mosquito Ae. koreicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornélia Kurucz
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 20, Pécs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Vivien Kiss
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 20, Pécs, 7624, Hungary.,Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 6, Pécs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Brigitta Zana
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 20, Pécs, 7624, Hungary.,Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 6, Pécs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Jakab
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 20, Pécs, 7624, Hungary.,Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 6, Pécs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kemenesi
- Virological Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 20, Pécs, 7624, Hungary. .,Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 6, Pécs, 7624, Hungary.
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Rudolf I, Blažejová H, Straková P, Šebesta O, Peško J, Mendel J, Šikutová S, Hubálek Z, Kampen H, Schaffner F. The invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Czech Republic: Repetitive introduction events highlight the need for extended entomological surveillance. Acta Trop 2018; 185:239-241. [PMID: 29856987 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
In the framework of a regional collaborative project between authorities and scientists, evidence was found of repeated introduction of Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) alongside the main road entrances (E461 and E65) connecting Austria and the Slovak Republic with the Czech Republic. In comparison to data from 2012 (17 specimens collected on three occasions), the seasons 2016 (66 specimens on ten occasions) and 2017 (90 specimens on eight occasions) show an apparent increase of introduction events as well as of mosquito numbers and underline the need for more intense surveillance activities.
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Integrated analysis of human-animal-vector surveillance: West Nile virus infections in Austria, 2015-2016. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018. [PMID: 29535293 PMCID: PMC5849732 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0021-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The results of integrated human and veterinary surveillance for West Nile virus (WNV) infections in Austria during the transmission seasons 2015 and 2016 are shown. Altogether WNV nucleic acid was detected in 21 humans, horses, wild birds and mosquito pools. In detail: in four human clinical cases [two cases of West Nile fever (WNF) and two cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND)]; eight blood donors [among 145,541 tested donations], of which three remained asymptomatic and five subsequently developed mild WNF; two horses with WNND, of which one recovered and one had to be euthanized; two wild birds [one goshawk and one falcon, both succumbed to WNND]; and five Culex pipiens mosquito pools. Compared to previous years the number of infections increased remarkably. All infections were recorded in the city of Vienna and neighboring regions of Lower Austria. Sixteen coding-complete WNV sequences were established which were closely related to each other and to other Austrian, Czech and Italian viruses, all belonging to the Central/Southern European cluster of WNV sublineage 2d. However, several genetically slightly different WNV strains seem to co-circulate in the same area, as demonstrated by phylogenetic analysis. Based on detailed sequence analysis, all newly discovered Austrian WNV strains had the potential to cause neurological disease, but no correlation was found between severity of disease and the analyzed genetic virulence/neuroinvasiveness markers. Results of integrated human-animal-vector surveillance presented in this paper provide a comprehensive description of WNV activity in the region and will facilitate proactive public health measures to prevent or mitigate potential outbreaks.
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Kampen H, Schuhbauer A, Walther D. Emerging mosquito species in Germany-a synopsis after 6 years of mosquito monitoring (2011-2016). Parasitol Res 2017; 116:3253-3263. [PMID: 29032497 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5619-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Globalisation and climate change are the main drivers of invasion of non-endemic regions by mosquitoes. Mass transportation of people, animals and goods facilitate accidental long-distance displacement while climate warming supports active spread and establishment of thermophilic species. In the framework of a mosquito-monitoring programme, eight non-indigenous culicid species have been registered in Germany since 2011, with four of them being more or less efficient vectors of disease agents and another four now considered established. The eight newly emerged species include Aedes albopictus, Ae. japonicus, Ae. aegypti, Ae. koreicus, Ae. berlandi, Ae. pulcritarsis, Anopheles petragnani and Culiseta longiareolata. We here review recent findings and at the same time present new findings of specimens of non-native mosquito species in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | | | - Doreen Walther
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Muencheberg, Germany
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Zittra C, Vitecek S, Obwaller AG, Rossiter H, Eigner B, Zechmeister T, Waringer J, Fuehrer HP. Landscape structure affects distribution of potential disease vectors (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:205. [PMID: 28441957 PMCID: PMC5405510 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2140-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vector-pathogen dynamics are controlled by fluctuations of potential vector communities, such as the Culicidae. Assessment of mosquito community diversity and, in particular, identification of environmental parameters shaping these communities is therefore of key importance for the design of adequate surveillance approaches. In this study, we assess effects of climatic parameters and habitat structure on mosquito communities in eastern Austria to deliver these highly relevant baseline data. Methods Female mosquitoes were sampled twice a month from April to October 2014 and 2015 at 35 permanent and 23 non-permanent trapping sites using carbon dioxide-baited traps. Differences in spatial and seasonal abundance patterns of Culicidae taxa were identified using likelihood ratio tests; possible effects of environmental parameters on seasonal and spatial mosquito distribution were analysed using multivariate statistical methods. We assessed community responses to environmental parameters based on 14-day-average values that affect ontogenesis. Results Altogether 29,734 female mosquitoes were collected, and 21 of 42 native as well as two of four non-native mosquito species were reconfirmed in eastern Austria. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in mosquito abundance between sampling years and provinces. Incidence and abundance patterns were found to be linked to 14-day mean sunshine duration, humidity, water–level maxima and the amount of precipitation. However, land cover classes were found to be the most important factor, effectively assigning both indigenous and non-native mosquito species to various communities, which responded differentially to environmental variables. Conclusions These findings thus underline the significance of non-climatic variables for future mosquito prediction models and the necessity to consider these in mosquito surveillance programmes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2140-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Zittra
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Vitecek
- Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adelheid G Obwaller
- Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports, Division of Science, Research and Development, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Barbara Eigner
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Johann Waringer
- Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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Emergence of Aedes koreicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in an urban area, Hungary, 2016. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:4687-4689. [PMID: 27511369 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5229-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In June 2016, three adult females of Aedes koreicus mosquitoes were trapped in the urban area of Pécs, Southwest Hungary. The introduction of this invasive mosquito species in this region, along with the recent detection in Germany, may indicate the capability of the species to spread across Europe. Along with Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus mosquitoes, this is the third invasive mosquito species occurred in Hungary.
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