He Japanese mosquito, Aedes Japanesean invasive species native to Japan and Korea, saw again in Spain. This time he was discovered in Navarre. Although they risks since humans are smaller than other species such as the tiger mosquito or the yellow fever mosquito, this may be virus carrier. First in Spain Japanese mosquitoes are watching This happened in 2018 in the city of Siero, Asturias. Now a researcher Enrique Bakerofrom the Institute of Biodiversity and Environment (BIOMA) of the University of Navarra, discovered a specimen in a building in Pamplona.
Mosquito Alert, a citizen science project dedicated to studying, monitoring and controlling the spread of invasive mosquitoes, has played a key role in monitoring the spread of this species. Roger Heritya, biologist and head of the initiative’s entomology department, explains that the first sighting was thanks to photograph sent by an Asturian citizenwhich was confirmed by experts in this field. Until this moment, the Japanese mosquito had not been discovered at a distance of less than a thousand kilometers.
Since then, they have launched monitoring campaigns among the population and institutions, allowing them to be confirmed presence in several regions of northern Spainsuch as Asturias, Cantabria, Euskadi and Navarre. The expert clarifies that progress of knowledge “This does not necessarily represent an expansion of a species that has likely been in the country for several years without being detected.”
This species prefers rural habitat and woodland with a cool climate that encourages more water spaces such as puddles or livestock water troughs. Unlike the tiger mosquito, which typically lives in urban environments, Aedes Japanese finds its niche in rural areas, where lower temperatures and bodies Still waterboth natural and artificial, allow it to develop.
It’s a mosquito something more than its relatives, the tiger mosquito and the yellow fever mosquito. What makes him different is golden lines on chestalthough this can lead to confusion with Aedes Koreananother invasive mosquito with similar characteristics. Like other mosquitoes, only women members of this species sting to obtain proteins necessary for the development of eggs.
Mosquito Alert infographic with characteristics of Japanese mosquitoes / J. L. Ordonez
His activities are mainly day and twilightwhich means that their bites occur in the early hours of the day and evening. Although there is no absolute certainty about its activity cycle in Spain, it is known that in Europe It starts in May and can last until October.. During the hottest summer months there is a definite decline, as excessive temperatures do not favor their reproduction.
health warning The Japanese mosquito is not as important as the tiger mosquito or the yellow fever mosquito, but it is ability to transmit diseases This is also a cause for concern. This is a vector West Nile virus and La Crosse virus, and has been shown in laboratory settings to be susceptible to other viruses such as Japanese encephalitis, dengue or chikungunya, although its ability to transmit these in nature has not been proven. Navarre, with its large number of birds of prey and its location in “bird migration funnel” may be at high risk for transmission of West Nile virus, especially now that this new vector has joined native species. Culex pipienswhat already is ordinary transmitterexplains Baquero.
The distribution of this species in Europe and Spain is directly related to human activityespecially in the international trade of used tires. The Japanese mosquito first appeared in Europe in 2000, in Normandy (France), and has been visiting several European countriessuch as Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy and Switzerland. Eritya insists that “globalization is the main cause of the spread of invasive mosquitoes, although climate change acts as a contributing factor.”
Your ability to survive cold climate and withstanding winter temperatures gives it advantage for other types of mosquitoes. Their eggs are resistant to freezing and drying out. They remain inactive for long periods of time until conditions become favorable for them to hatch. In addition, this view demonstrates significant tolerance to pollution in their breeding areas, which increases the potential for their spread.
Experts emphasize the need carry out control and supervision measures prevent its uncontrolled expansion. Mosquito Alert has published detailed guides to help the public identify it correctly. Eritya stresses the importance of eliminating the source of the problem: stagnant water. If the presence of these invasive mosquitoes is detected, the key is to monitor and eliminate these spots to prevent them from breeding. When this is not possible, the expert explains, it is necessary to use personal protective measures, although it is advisable not to go so far as to do so.
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