Abstract
Aedes albopictus is a competent vector of several arboviruses that has spread throughout the United States over the last three decades. With the emergence of Zika virus in the Americas in 2015–2016 and an increased need to understand the current distributions of Ae. albopictus in the US, we initiated surveillance efforts to determine the abundance of invasive Aedes species in Iowa. Here, we describe surveillance efforts from 2016 to 2020 in which we detect stable and persistent populations of Aedes albopictus in three Iowa counties. Based on temporal patterns in abundance and genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes between years, our data support that Ae. albopictus are overwintering and have likely become established in the state. The localization of Ae. albopictus predominantly in areas of urbanization, and noticeable absence in rural areas, suggests that these ecological factors may contribute to overwintering success. Together, these data document the establishment of Ae. albopictus in Iowa and their expansion into the Upper Midwest, where freezing winter temperatures were previously believed to limit their spread. With impending climate change, our study provides evidence for the further expansion of Ae. albopictus into temperate regions of the United States resulting in increased risks for vector-borne disease transmission.
Highlights
Aedes albopictus is a competent vector of several arboviruses that has spread throughout the United States over the last three decades
With Ae. albopictus as a competent vector of Zika virus (ZIKV)[11,12], the emergence of ZIKV in the Americas in 2015 and 2016 created a critical need to better understand the distributions of Ae. albopictus in the United States (US) in order to determine the potential risks for ZIKV transmission
We describe our continued monitoring of mosquito populations in Iowa through targeted surveillance efforts focusing on invasive Aedes species
Summary
Aedes albopictus is a competent vector of several arboviruses that has spread throughout the United States over the last three decades. With the emergence of Zika virus in the Americas in 2015–2016 and an increased need to understand the current distributions of Ae. albopictus in the US, we initiated surveillance efforts to determine the abundance of invasive Aedes species in Iowa. The localization of Ae. albopictus predominantly in areas of urbanization, and noticeable absence in rural areas, suggests that these ecological factors may contribute to overwintering success Together, these data document the establishment of Ae. albopictus in Iowa and their expansion into the Upper Midwest, where freezing winter temperatures were previously believed to limit their spread. Expanding on our initial e fforts[19], we used a trapping network consisting of BG sentinel and Gravid Aedes traps from 2017 to 2020 to monitor mosquito populations in a total of 25 counties over a 5-year period (2016–2020) Through these efforts, we document the detection and likely establishment of Ae. albopictus in three Iowa counties. Genetic analysis confirms the subsistence of genetic haplotypes between years, supporting the establishment of Ae. albopictus in each of the respective counties in which it has been detected, providing insight into the origins of their introduction
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