Habitat suitability modelling to assess the introductions of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Netherlands

Adolfo Ibáñez-Justicia,Constantianus J M Koenraadt,Ron Van Lammeren,Annapaola Rizzoli,Juan Diego Alcaraz-Hernández,Aldo Bergsma,Willem Takken,Luca Delucchi

doi:10.1186/s13071-020-04077-3

Abstract

BackgroundIn the Netherlands, Aedes albopictus has been found each year since 2010 during routine exotic mosquito species surveillance at companies that import used tires. We developed habitat suitability models to investigate the potential risk of establishment and spread of this invasive species at these locations.MethodsWe used two methodologies: first, a species distribution model based on the maximum entropy modelling approach (MaxEnt) taking into consideration updated occurrence data of the species in Europe, and secondly, a spatial logic conditional model based on the temperature requirements of the species and using land surface temperature data (LST model).ResultsSuitability assessment obtained with the MaxEnt model at European level accurately reflect the current distribution of the species and these results also depict moderately low values in parts of the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, the British islands and southern parts of Scandinavia. Winter temperature was the variable that contributed most to the performance of the model (47.3%). The results of the LST model showed that: (i) coastal areas are suitable for overwintering of eggs; (ii) large areas in the northern part of the country have a low suitability for adult survival; and (iii) the entire country is suitable for successful completion of the life-cycle if the species is introduced after the winter months. Results of the LST model revealed that temperatures in 2012 and 2014 did not limit the overwintering of eggs or survival of adults at the locations where the species was found. By contrast, for the years 2010, 2011 and 2013, overwintering of eggs at these locations is considered unlikely.ConclusionsResults using two modelling methodologies show differences in predicted habitat suitability values. Based on the results of both models, the climatic conditions could hamper the successful overwintering of eggs of Ae. albopictus and their survival as adults in many areas of the country. However, during warm years with mild winters, many areas of the Netherlands offer climatic conditions suitable for developing populations. Regular updates of the models, using updated occurrence and climatic data, are recommended to study the areas at risk.

Highlights

In the Netherlands, Aedes albopictus has been found each year since 2010 during routine exotic mos‐ quito species surveillance at companies that import used tires
According to the estimated permutation importance, our results show that winter temperature was the variable that contributed most to the model performance (47.3%), while the mean temperature of the wettest quarter and the annual precipitation contributed with 23.6% and 13.3%, respectively (Table 2)
The land surface temperature (LST) model showed that coastal areas are suitable for overwintering of eggs and the entire country is suitable for successful completion of the life-cycle if the species is introduced after the winter months

Summary

Introduction

In the Netherlands, Aedes albopictus has been found each year since 2010 during routine exotic mos‐ quito species surveillance at companies that import used tires. The first sighting in Europe came from Albania in 1979 and probably originated from goods imported from China [12] It was only when the species was introduced into Italy in 1990 through the import of used airplane tires from Atlanta (USA) [13], that the species became established throughout Italy. Aedes albopictus is an undesirable invasive mosquito species (IMS), that causes considerable nuisance by its biting behaviour [17], and the species has been proven to transmit more than 22 different viruses under laboratory conditions [18]. In the field, it is considered a competent vector of chikungunya and dengue viruses [19]. Several other pathogens were isolated from specimens collected in the field such as West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus [20] and La Crosse virus [21] in North America, and the heartworms Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens and Usutu virus in Italy [22, 23]

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