Abstract
Mosquitoes are vectors of pathogens, causing human and animal diseases. Their ability to adapt and expand worldwide increases spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Climate changes contribute in enhancing these “epidemic conditions”. Understanding the effect of weather variables on mosquito seasonality and host searching activity contributes towards risk control of the mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. To enable early detection of Aedes invasive species we developed a surveillance network for both invasive and native mosquitoes at the main point of entry for the first time in Cyprus. Mosquito sampling was carried out for one year (May 2017–June 2018), at bimonthly intervals around Limassol port. Morphological and molecular identification confirmed the presence of 5 species in the study region: Culex. pipiens, Aedes detritus, Ae. caspius, Culiseta longiareolata and Cs. annulata. No invasive Aedes mosquito species were detected. The Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression were used to compare number of sampled mosquitoes and weather variables for three most numerous species (Cx. pipiens, Ae. detritus and Ae. caspius). The population densities of the most numerous species were highest from February to April. Number of Cx. pipiens (−0.48), Ae. detritus (−0.40) and Ae. caspius (−0.38) specimens sampled was negatively correlated with average daily temperature. Monthly relative humidity showed positive correlation with the numbers of the species sampled, Cx. pipiens (0.66) Ae. detritus (0.68), and Ae. caspius (0.71). Mosquito abundance of Cx. pipiens (0.97) and Ae. detritus (0.98) was strongly correlated to seasonal precipitation as well. Our work is a stepping stone to further stimulate implementation of International Health Regulations and implementation of early warning surveillance system for detection of invasive Aedes mosquitoes, native mosquitoes and arboviruses they may transmit. A network for the surveillance of both invasive and native mosquito species at the main point of entry for the first time in Cyprus was developed. Number of mosquitoes sampled was correlated with weather factors to identify parameters that might predict mosquito activity and species distribution to the prevention of international spread of vector mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases.
Highlights
In recent decades, international travel and trade raise globally and this may lead to increased transportation of potential insect vectors to new countries and greater risk of transmission of both human and animal diseases
1917 mosquitoes were collected during the one-year survey (May 2017–June 2018), out of which 1036 were classified as Cx. pipiens, 671 as Ae. detritus, 77 as Ae. caspius and 133 remained unidentified
Our results demonstrate that temperature significantly affects host searching activity of Cx. pipiens, Ae. detritus and Ae. caspius population
Summary
International travel and trade raise globally and this may lead to increased transportation of potential insect vectors to new countries and greater risk of transmission of both human and animal diseases. Known as the Asian tiger mosquito, is a highly invasive species, classified as one of the world’s top hundred worst invasive species [4]. It has a vector capacity for a wide range of vector-borne diseases such as Chikungunya, Dengue, Yellow fever and Zika [5,6,7]. It was first introduced in Europe through international transport routes for used tires and ‘lucky bamboo’ [8] and has been reported in 31 European countries [9]
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