All articles tagged with #aedes albopictus
Experts say the invasive Asian Tiger mosquito is active during the day and spreading across Chicagoland, driven by heavy rainfall that creates standing-water breeding sites; while the species is mainly a nuisance rather than a disease threat in Illinois, residents should drain standing water, report it to 311, use EPA-registered repellents, and consider using a box fan outdoors to deter bites.
Climate warming is enabling the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) to spread across Europe, leading to locally transmitted dengue and chikungunya without travel links, as seen in a 2024 Italian outbreak in Fano. Researchers warn the mosquito season could lengthen and transmission may occur at cooler temperatures than previously thought, raising the risk of endemic disease in parts of Europe even as extreme heat can reduce mosquito numbers. Public-health preparedness, vector-control efforts (such as sterile-male releases), and individual precautions are increasingly essential as other invasive species like Aedes aegypti appear in Madeira and Cyprus.
A nine-year study in Wake County, NC found a mutation in Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) that lets them survive common pyrethroid insecticides; the mutation appeared in 2018 and, by 2023, was spread across the area, with more than a third of relevant gene copies carrying the resistant variant, likely aided by uneven backyard spraying. The findings suggest backyard and private-sector spraying can drive resistance, potentially undermining disease-control tools and calling for coordinated monitoring and management that includes private yards.
Two NC State studies show backyard spraying by wealthier homeowners in the eastern U.S. is applying selective pressure that has driven rapid evolution of pyrethroid resistance in the invasive Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus); by 2023, resistance markers appeared in 84% of sampled residential blocks in Wake County, NC, and 39% of mosquitoes carried the resistance mutation. Researchers warn that relying on chemical sprays alone is risky and advocate integrated pest management and community-wide efforts to curb breeding sites, plus practical steps for homeowners to reduce standing water and mosquito habitats.
A Maryland company will release about 600,000 Wolbachia-infected, non-biting male Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the Washington, DC area this summer to reduce local mosquito populations, using an EPA-approved biopesticide approach.
Six Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) were found near Bamaga in far north Queensland, marking Australia’s first confirmed mainland detection. Health authorities have begun spraying Cape York Peninsula; tests showed no viruses in the sampled insects, and origin is under investigation with DNA testing possible. Experts warn the species can spread quickly via human movement, and residents are advised to reduce standing water, wear protective clothing, and use insect repellent to limit further spread.
Michigan officials are monitoring the invasive and aggressive Aedes albopictus mosquito, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, which bites during the day and can carry viruses like West Nile, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, though the current disease risk is low. Preventative measures include eliminating standing water and using repellents.
Dengue, a mosquito-borne disease typically found in tropical regions, is spreading in parts of southern Europe due to a combination of warm weather conditions, an increase in imported cases, and the presence of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes capable of transmitting the virus. As of October, locally transmitted cases have been reported in Italy, France, and Spain. While the incidence of dengue in Europe is currently sporadic and seasonal, experts believe it is unlikely to become endemic. Climate change and the adaptability of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes contribute to the spread of the disease. Dengue is also on the rise globally, with efforts to combat outbreaks including the introduction of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. However, the presence of two strains of Wolbachia in Aedes albopictus poses challenges to this approach.