The invasive mosquito Aedes japonicus in Central Europe

Abstract

Abstract. Complaints about a biting pest led to the recognition of invasive Aedes (Finlaya) japonicus japonicus (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Central Europe. Larval collections from cemetery vases revealed a colonized area of approximately 1400 km 2 in northern Switzerland spreading into bordering Germany, suggesting that the mosquito has been established in this region for several years. Within this range, larvae of Ae. japonicus were recovered from more containers than the most common resident culicid species Culex pipiens. Possible introduction sites (used tyre yards and international airports) revealed few or no larvae, and the mode of introduction remains unclear. Given the vector potential of this species for arboviruses, implementation of surveillance and control measures should be considered.

Evidence that implicit assumptions of ‘no evolution’ of disease vectors in changing environments can be violated on a rapid timescale

“…j. japonicus were also detected in the western US states of Washington and Oregon in 2002 [23] and, as mentioned, in Hawaii in 2003 [26]. In Europe infestations of this species were intercepted and destroyed in northern France in 2001 but established populations were detected in Belgium in 2002 [25]. Currently, Ae.…”

“…Aedes j. japonicus is highly sensitive to high temperatures and does better at relatively low temperatures (less than 208C) as evidenced by colonization, life-history and competition studies [19][20][21]. Its recent expansion into temperate North America and Europe [22][23][24][25] was unexpected but not surprising. It was very surprising, however, that this species also established populations in the island of Hawaii and is spreading into the southeastern USA [26,27] where it is consistently much rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org Phil.…”

Diptera. Chapter 10

“…Most Culicidae are distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Whereas the European native fauna only includes 93 species within this family, seven alien species have established in Europe: two species belonging to the genus Aedes (the Asian tiger mosquito, A. albopictus-see factsheet 14.27, and the Asian rock pool mosquito, A. japonicus (Schaff ner et al 2009)); three Asian species of the genus Culex (Adhami 1987, Ramos et al 1998, Samanidou and Harbach 2003 and two species of Ochlerotatus (Romi et al 1999, Schaff ner et al 2001. Aedes aegypti, the vector of yellow fever which has been present in Europe for a long time, now seems to be extinct; no exotic species of Anopheles has yet established (Schaff ner et al 2001).…”

“…Most species originate from the temperate, eastern Asia such as Contarinia quinquenotata damaging fl ower buds of Hemerocallis fulva (Liliaceae), Epidiplosis fi lifera, a predator of the coccid scale Ceratoplates fl oridensis on citrus fruits (Nijveldt 1965), and probably Rhopalomyia chrysanthemi (Cecidomyiidae) (Barnes 1948) whilst Cerodontha unisetiorbita (Agromyzidae) (Süss 2001), Aedes japonicus (Culicidae) (Schaff ner et al 2009) and Drosophila curvispina (Drosophilidae) (Bächli et al 2002) originate from Japan. However, tropical Asia, mainly India, has also contributed to the alien entomofauna, having supplied Aedes albopictus (Eritja et al 2005), Culex tritaebiorhynchus (Samanidou and Harbach 2003), C. vishnui (Culicidae) (Adhami 1987), Placopsidella phaenota (Ephydridae) (Gatt and Ebejer 2003), Procontarinia matteiana (Kieff er and Cecconi 1906), Horidiplosis fi cifolii (Cecidomyiidae), causing leaf galls on Ficus benjamina (Moraceae) (Harris and Goff au 2003), and Megaselia tamilnaduensis (Phoridae) (Disney and Durska 1999).…”

“…In a number of cases, it however could be inferred from the species biology, for that of the plant/animal host or from repeated interceptions with merchandise at borders. Th us, eggs and larvae of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, and those of the Asian rock pool mosquito, A. japonicus, have been shown to be imported as stowaway through the trade of secondhand tyres (Reiter 1998, Schaff ner et al 2009). Larvae of A. albopictus were also found inside bags watering "lucky bamboos" (Dracaena senderiana) for horticultural markets.…”