Occurrence of Aedes cretinus in Cyprus based on information collected by citizen scientists

M Georgiou,I Angelidou,M Philippou,A.F Martinou,F Schaffner,J Fawcett

doi:10.52004/jemca2021.0002

Abstract

The current study presents a success story where through a small network of citizen scientists original information regarding the occurrence of Aedes cretinus was received, suggesting the absence of invasive Aedes species on the island of Cyprus. Citizen science records show that Ae. cretinus most likely has an island wide spatial distribution while its seasonal activity is limited to the spring and summer months. Data collected by citizen scientists under ‘The Three Mosquiteers’ citizen science initiative, provided more records than any efforts from the authorities in the last 73 years. The future success and the longevity of this initiative will be strongly dependent on the in-depth engagement and collaboration between local experts in entomology and citizen scientists.

Highlights

Surveillance is an essential component of any integrated mosquito management programme designed for native and non-native mosquitoes in natural, protected areas or urban settings (Martinou et al, 2020; Osorio et al, 2014)
Mosquito surveillance is usually undertaken by skilled operators, experts in medical entomology, public health authorities or researchers and it requires a significant amount of expertise and resources in terms of personnel, equipment, and time (ECDC, 2012, 2014; Martinou et al, 2020; Wint et al, 2020)
In 2015, the Joint Services Health Unit (JSHU), British Forces Cyprus, raised two questions: (1) whether Aedes invasive non-native mosquitoes were present on the island of Cyprus; as there was no island wide surveillance programme undertaken by the authorities, it was impossible to know; (2) whether citizens could help the authorities find out what is the case for invasive non-native mosquitoes by trying to detect non-native mosquitoes and by providing mosquito occurrence records

Summary

Introduction

Surveillance is an essential component of any integrated mosquito management programme designed for native and non-native mosquitoes in natural, protected areas or urban settings (Martinou et al, 2020; Osorio et al, 2014). The public can contribute towards recording mosquitoes through citizen or community science projects where nonexperts get involved in scientific research (Pataki et al, 2021; Tweddle et al, 2012). Citizen science can enhance and facilitate mosquito surveillance undertaken by authorities at the local level, ensuring better geographic coverage at a finer scale, providing essential information on mosquito diversity, distribution and habitat preferences (Braz-Sousa et al 2020; Palmer et al, 2017; Pernat et al, 2020; Tyson et al, 2018). Citizen scientists, guided by experts and provided with mosquito identification keys, can contribute to mosquito recording by either collecting mosquito specimens and submitting them to the experts or by using mobile application technologies for photorecordings. Citizen science projects can contribute towards early warning rapid response systems for nonnative mosquitoes informing the authorities and the public (Cardoso et al, 2014)

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