A Review of the Invasive Mosquitoes in Europe: Ecology, Public Health Risks, and Control Options

Abstract

There has been growing interest in Europe in recent years in the establishment and spread of invasive mosquitoes, notably the incursion of Aedes albopictus through the international trade in used tires and lucky bamboo, with onward spread within Europe through ground transport. More recently, five other non-European aedine mosquito species have been found in Europe, and in some cases populations have established locally and are spreading. Concerns have been raised about the involvement of these mosquito species in transmission cycles of pathogens of public health importance, and these concerns were borne out following the outbreak of chikungunya fever in Italy in 2007, and subsequent autochthonous cases of dengue fever in France and Croatia in 2010. This article reviews current understanding of all exotic (five introduced invasive and one intercepted) aedine species in Europe, highlighting the known import pathways, biotic and abiotic constraints for establishment, control strategies, and public health significance, and encourages Europe-wide surveillance for invasive mosquitoes.

Climate Change, Biological Invasion and Emerging Diseases: a Longitudinal Sociological Study Monitoring the Spread of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes in a European Region

“…While the fl ying range of A. albopictus is very limited (a few hundred meters), the mosquito "rides" boats, trains, buses and cars. For large geographical scales (e.g., from one continent to another), the accidental transportation of vector mosquitoes occurs primarily in the egg stage (Hawley, 1988;Medlock, 2012). For A. albopictus, the international trade in re-treaded tyres is particularly responsible (Hawley, 1988;Medlock, 2012;Schaffner, 2013).…”

“…For large geographical scales (e.g., from one continent to another), the accidental transportation of vector mosquitoes occurs primarily in the egg stage (Hawley, 1988;Medlock, 2012). For A. albopictus, the international trade in re-treaded tyres is particularly responsible (Hawley, 1988;Medlock, 2012;Schaffner, 2013). On smaller geographical scales, it is sometimes the adult mosquitoes that travel directly.…”

“…Since the late 20 th century, this invasive species has spread widely and can currently be found in Europe, North and South America, Africa and in the Pacifi c and Indian Oceans (Paupy et al, 2009). Th e intensifi cation of global trade has facilitated the introduction of A. albopictus to new continents (Hawley, 1988;Medlock et al, 2012). Climate change, urbanisation and the ensuing loss of biodiversity 2 have encouraged its proliferation (Gould et al, 2009;Ostfeld, 2009).…”

“…Since the observation of its introduction in Menton, France in 2004, A. albopictus has rapidly expanded its range along the entire coast and has also begun to move northward (Medlock et al, 2012). In addition to new epidemic risks in the region (several autochthonous cases of dengue and chikungunya [Schnaff er, 2013]), there has also been a signifi cant increase in discomfort, since the arrival of A. albopictus has exposed local inhabitants and tourists to a much greater degree of nuisance than previously (Claeys et Mieulet, 2013) as the tiger mosquito is indeed known for the intensity and frequency of its bites (Hawley, 1988;Medlock, 2012). Since 2009, we have been conducting sociological monitoring of the reactions of decision-makers and local inhabitants regarding the intrusion into mainland France of this exotic, nuisance biter species of vector mosquito.…”

First Report on Invasion of Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti, at Narita International Airport, Japan in August 2012

“…The introduction and/or establishment of exotic mosquito species in temperate as well as tropical countries has become particularly important in the context of environmental and climatic changes, which may allow the spread of mosquito vectors and increase the risk of vector-borne disease transmission. Strengthening the surveillance of invasive mosquito species is therefore required, particularly in temperate regions (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). In Japan, vector surveillance is conducted at international airports and international ports on the basis of the Japanese Quarantine Law.…”