Abstract
BackgroundIn Europe, Aedes albopictus is an important vector of chikungunya virus and Dirofilaria nematodes and has been involved in local autochthonous circulation of dengue and Zika viruses. Due to the ongoing spread, targeted field surveillance at potential points of entry of invasive Aedes mosquitoes was initiated by the Republic of Moldova in 2020 as part of the transboundary “Invasive Aedes Mosquitoes COST-Action project.”MethodsIn 2020, ovitraps were positioned at each of three locations: the border crossing to Romania in Leuşeni (Hancesti region), Chişinӑu International Airport and Chişinӑu Botanical Garden.ResultsA total of 188 Aedes spp. eggs were collected at the Chişinӑu International Airport between August and September 2020. Twenty-three adults reared in the laboratory were identified morphologically as Ae. albopictus (Skuse, 1895), and 12 selected specimens were confirmed by molecular barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene region. In addition, one adult Ae. albopictus female at the same site was caught with a manual aspirator.ConclusionsThis is the first documented report of Ae. albopictus in the Republic of Moldova. The presence of immature and adult stages indicates the local reproduction of the species in the country. Therefore, it is crucial to extend and strengthen surveillance of the invasive Aedes mosquitoes to prevent Ae. albopictus and other exotic mosquito species from becoming established in the Republic of Moldova.Graphical abstract
Highlights
In Europe, Aedes albopictus is an important vector of chikungunya virus and Dirofilaria nematodes and has been involved in local autochthonous circulation of dengue and Zika viruses
Field surveys were conducted at three locations that were potential routes of entry to the Republic of Moldova for invasive Aedes mosquito species
Surveillance of the presence/absence of invasive Aedes species at the potential points of entry (PoE) in the Republic of Moldova demonstrated the presence of Ae. albopictus at the Chişinӑu International Airport
Summary
In Europe, Aedes albopictus is an important vector of chikungunya virus and Dirofilaria nematodes and has been involved in local autochthonous circulation of dengue and Zika viruses. Due to its ecological plasticity [1], Ae. albopictus has invaded and become established in 30 countries in Europe including the neighboring regions of the Republic of Moldova in the Mediterranean Basin, the Thrace region of Turkey and the eastern Black Sea coast [15,16,17]. The first report of Ae. albopictus in Romania, a neighboring country to the Republic of Moldova, was in Bucharest in 2012 [19].
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