Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) - a threat for Switzerland?

Abstract

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Stegomya albopicta) originating from south-east Asia, has spread primarily by the trade of used tyres to the United States, Europe, Latin America and Africa [1]. In Italy, the mosquito species was first detected in Genoa in 1990 and has since spread to several parts of the country, including border areas with Switzerland [2]. In 2000, an active monitoring system was established in southern Switzerland. The first tiger mosquito was detected in the canton of Ticino in 2003 [3]. Monitoring was gradually intensified due to growing mosquito densities in northern Italy. As the long-distance migration of Ae. albopictus depends on passive transport, the monitoring system consisted of strategically positioned oviposition traps along main traffic axes, including parking lots within industrial complexes, border crossings and shopping centres. In 2007, this monitoring system consisted of over 70 checkpoints with a total of 300 traps. Bi-weekly control visits to all traps were conducted between April and November 2007. As soon as eggs were detected, the surrounding vegetation within a perimeter of about 100 metres was sprayed with permethrin against adult mosquitoes. Stagnant water was treated with Bacillus thuringiensis and in some cases with diflubenzuron to control the larval stages.

Trends in Imported Chikungunya Virus Infections in Germany, 2006–2009

“…Ae. albopictus has so far not established itself in Germany, although its ova have been found once (in 2007) in the German Southwest (Pluskota et al 2008) and it has established itself in neighboring Switzerland (Wymann et al 2008). The Netherlands to the West have repeatedly noted the importation of Ae.…”

A Study on Distribution and Seasonal Abundance of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Population in Athens, Greece

“…albopictus established homogenous populations and could be considered as spreading in France, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia, with Italy being currently by far the most heavily infested country in Europe (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control [ECDC] 2009). Wymann et al (2008) reported the establishment and onward spread of Ae. albopictus in southern Switzerland, whereas the species was detected but failed to be established in other European countries such as Germany (2007), Belgium (2000), and the Netherlands (2005) (ECDC 2009).…”

Infektiologie und Tropenmedizin 2008

“…Die asiatische Tigermücke, ein potenter Überträger des Chikungunya-Virus, hat sich in den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten in Südeuropa ausgebreitet. Vereinzelte Tigermoskitos wurden bereits nördlich der Alpen gefangen, etwa in der Schweiz, in Holland, in Belgien und in Deutschland im Oberrheintal [45].…”