In July 2011, during routine invasive exotic mosquito surveillance inspections at companies that import used tyres, two invasive exotic mosquito species were found at three locations in the Netherlands: the Asian tiger mosquito (Ae. albopictus) [Stegomyia albopicta sensu Reinert et al., 2004] and the American rock-pool mosquito (Ae. atropalpus) [Georgecraigius atropalpus sensu Reinert et al., 2006]. Mosquito control was initiated one week after the first invasive mosquito was found, using adulticides and larvicides, and continued until the second week of November. Despite control, findings of these species continued in August and September, with the last finding in the first week of October. The same species were also found at these sites in 2010, followed by control until the end of the season. The available surveillance data suggest, although not conclusive, that the findings of 2011 are the result of unrestricted import of used tyres from Ae.albopictus- and Ae. atropalpus-endemic areas in 2011, rather than from surviving specimens found in 2010.
A revised checklist, with maps showing the known distribution and local frequency of the 49 species in the Hungarian fauna is presented. A short research history and a bibliography of Hungarian mosquitoes are also included in the paper.
The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) (=Ochlerotatus japonicus (sensu Reinert et al., 2004) =Hulecoeteomyia japonica (sensu Reinert et al., 2006)), has invaded large parts of North America and has recently started to spread in Central-Western Europe. The species is suspected to act as a bridge vector of West Nile virus but nothing or very little is known about its vector competence for Chikungunya and Dengue viruses. Here, we report on experiments of laboratory infections of Ae. japonicus with CHIKV and DENV, demonstrating that the species has a vector potential for both viruses. Considering the high abundance of the species in urban environments and its ability to feed on human, these results plead to include this species when processing risk assessments for mosquito-borne diseases.
GIS and remote sensing techniques are increasingly being used for modelling approaches to public health issues, especially when dealing with vector-borne diseases. They facilitate identification and mapping of the aquatic habitats of many mosquito species, and contribute to successful control operations. In this study the GIS database of mosquito breeding sites in irrigation fields in Wroclaw, Poland, enabled analysis of the relevant biological parameters (larval emergence, abundance, development) of the various nuisance mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) involved, and enhanced the efficacy and sustainability of the control programme. The ArcView software employed allowed preparation of a detailed map precisely delineating mosquitobreeding sites within these irrigation fields, using digital guidelines (polygons). Employment of GPS allows better accordance with features of the terrain and further increases accuracy. This map shows the exact locations of the mosquito-breeding sites, with calculated size based on their geometry. It enables more precise, better timed aerial applications to be made and above all, economies in use of microbial larvicidal agents. In addition to facilitating control of resident species, this system should make establishment of potential invasive pest or vector mosquitoes more difficult.
