Abstract
Aedes vexans is known to occur in large populations in riverine floodplains in much of Europe, where it can cause a significant biting nuisance and is often subject to large scale control strategies. Until recently it had only been reported in very small numbers in the United Kingdom. After receiving reports of nuisance biting near the river Idle, Nottinghamshire (East Midlands, England), mosquito surveillance was conducted over three years (2018-2020) using Mosquito Magnet adult traps. Ae. vexans was found in all years, in very high numbers, particularly in 2020, reaching a peak of almost 5,000 female mosquitoes per trap night, the highest reported density of trapped adult mosquitoes in the UK. Larval control was conducted in all years, and adult control in one year, however local peculiarities of flood and water management presents challenges and necessitates a multi-faceted approach. Strategies for further expansion of the control operation by developing strategies for water management, coupled with larval surveys to define the extent and seasonality of larval habitats, and application methods of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis products are discussed.
Highlights
Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans (Meigen, 1830) is a polycyclic mosquito species breeding predominantly in inundated areas such as floodplains of rivers and lakes with fluctuating water levels
This study reports on adult mosquito trapping in and near the village of Gamston in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands of England, conducted from 2018-2020 in order to characterise the mosquito population, and details control efforts and viral analysis of mosquitoes
Mosquito Magnet traps were chosen on account of their proven ability to trap large numbers of mammal biting mosquitoes in the UK, and are able to run for consecutive nights without servicing or maintenance (Hutchinson et al, 2007; Medlock and Vaux, 2015; Vaux et al, 2015)
Summary
Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans (Meigen, 1830) is a polycyclic mosquito species breeding predominantly in inundated areas such as floodplains of rivers and lakes with fluctuating water levels. In temporary flooded wet meadow and swamp habitats in continental Europe, the species can develop large populations, and can cause a significant biting nuisance (Becker, 1989). Larval development can be rapid in temporary water bodies that remain wet from just a few days to several weeks, such as flooded meadows, and low-lying areas with willow and reed (Becker et al, 2003). Aedes vexans adult females can cause a severe nuisance and can become highly abundant where the flooding regime favours egg hatching and larval development (Becker et al, 2003). Huge numbers of larvae can be found, with hundreds per litre and more than 100 million per hectare.
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