First interception of Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus in Lucky bamboo shipments in Belgium

Six gel-and five water-transported Dracaena braunii shipments originating from the South coast of China were screened for exotic mosquito species during a surveillance project on exotic vectors in Belgium. In November 2013, a live Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus larva was detected in a gel substrate. This is the first direct evidence of the importation of Ae. albopictus on gel-transported Lucky bamboo. It also confirms that the importation risk of Ae. albopictus by transport of ornamental bamboo plants remains. In addition to the registration of appropriate biocides, a structured and permanent surveillance programme is needed in Belgium to allow for the early detection of invasive mosquito species and the timely implementation of control measures. JournalThe Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC)http://e-m-b.orgam201

Exploring the efficacy of predacious diving beetles as potential nature-based solution for combatting the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894)

The invasive mosquito species Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) is rapidly spreading in Europe, posing an increasing threat because of its high vector competence for chikungunya and dengue virus. An integrative and eco-friendly control of these populations is required to prevent mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. Traditionally-used insecticides or other chemical control agents are often expensive, harmful to the environment, strictly controlled or completely banned in several countries. Additionally, insecticide resistance is a potential threat. One possibility for biological control agents is the use of native aquatic beetles as natural predators of mosquitoes to boost Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) interventions. Thirty predatory aquatic beetle taxa were caught in Belgium and kept at the Institute of Tropical Medicine’s insectary to test predation rate and prey choice on Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens Linnaeus, 1758. Predation rates suggest at least four efficient dytiscid predators that are known to inhabit small, temporary habitats in Europe. Further experiments on prey choice reveal a clear preference for Aedes albopictus over alternative larval prey (Culex pipiens, Daphnia sp., Chaoboridae). We found a strong ecological overlap of the feeding niche of A. albopictus and the hunting zone of dytiscid predators in the benthic layer of small waterbodies. Our findings on the efficacy are very encouraging to further assess the potential of native predacious diving beetles as a biological control agent against the invasive A. albopictus in Europe

From a long‑distance threat to the invasion front : a review of the invasive Aedes mosquito species in Belgium between 2007 and 2020

Author contributions ID drafted the manuscript and revised it after comments of all co-authors. ID, TVL, KDW and AV carried out the mosquito identifications. ID, KDW, AS, AV, IV, JDW, JD, TVL and WVB collected data in the field and sorted the mosquitoes in the laboratory. WVB, ID and KDW managed the data. NS and JDW performed the DNA barcoding. WD and AV produced the morphological reference collection. WVB, ID, MM and RM coordinated the projects. MK performed the statistical analysis. All authors critically reviewed the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.Data supporting the conclusions of this article are included within the article and its additional file. The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are available in the GBIF repository [44–50].ADDITIONAL FILE 1: TABLE S1. Overview of the trapping methods used to monitor invasive mosquito species (IMS) in Belgium during the different years (and projects) and in different risk scenarios, indicating the number of traps or larval sampling visits per site and the frequency of trapping or larval sampling. TABLE S2. Aedes albopictus detections in Belgium between 2007 and 2020 at the ten points of entry (PoEs) per year including the sampling perimeter, collection and detection methods, collection (light grey) and detection (dark grey) period, control measures (X), number of individuals (total, females, males, larvae and eggs) and project. TABLE S3. Aedes japonicus detections in Belgium between 2007 and 2020 at the four points of entry (PoEs) per year including the sampling perimeter, collection and detection methods, collection (light grey) and detection (dark grey) period, the control measures (X), number of individuals (total, females, males, larvae and eggs) and project. TABLE S4. Aedes koreicus detections in Belgium between 2007 and 2020 at the two points of entry (PoEs) per year including the sampling perimeter, collection and detection methods, collection (light grey) and detection (dark grey) period, control measures (X), number of individuals (total, females, males, larvae and eggs) and project.Invasive mosquito species (IMS) and their associated mosquito-borne diseases are emerging in Europe. In Belgium, the first detection of Aedes albopictus (Skuse 1894) occurred in 2000 and of Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald 1901) in 2002. Early detection and control of these IMS at points of entry (PoEs) are of paramount importance to slow down any possible establishment. This article reviews the introductions and establishments recorded of three IMS in Belgium based on published (2007–2014) and unpublished (2015–2020) data collected during several surveillance projects. In total, 52 PoEs were monitored at least once for the presence of IMS between 2007 and 2020. These included used tyre and lucky bamboo import companies, airports, ports, parking lots along highways, shelters for imported cutting plants, wholesale markets, industrial areas, recycling areas, cemeteries and an allotment garden at the country border with colonised areas. In general, monitoring was performed between April and November. Mosquitoes were captured with adult and oviposition traps as well as by larval sampling. Aedes albopictus was detected at ten PoEs, Ae. japonicus at three PoEs and Aedes koreicus (Edwards 1917) at two PoEs. The latter two species have established overwintering populations. The percentage of PoEs positive for Ae. albopictus increased significantly over years. Aedes albopictus is currently entering Belgium through lucky bamboo and used tyre trade and passive ground transport, while Ae. japonicus through used tyre trade and probably passive ground transport. In Belgium, the import through passive ground transport was first recorded in 2018 and its importance seems to be growing. Belgium is currently at the invasion front of Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus. The surveillance and control management actions at well-known PoEs associated to long-distance introductions are more straightforward than at less-defined PoEs associated with short-distance introductions from colonised areas. These latter PoEs represent a new challenge for IMS management in Belgium in the coming years. Aedes albopictus is expected to become established in Belgium in the coming years, hence increasing the likelihood of local arbovirus transmission. The implementation of a sustainable, structured and long-term IMS management programme, integrating active and passive entomological surveillance, vector control and Public Health surveillance is therefore pivotal.The MODIRISK project (2007–2010) was funded by the Belgian Science Policy Programs; the EXOSURV project (2012) by the Federal, Flemish, Walloon and Brussels Capital region governments, the FASFC project (2013–2016) by the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC), the MEMO and MEMO+2020 projects (2017–2020) by the Flemish, Walloon and Brussels regional governments and the Federal Public Service (FPS) Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment in the context of the National Environment and Health Action Plan (NEHAP) (Belgium), and the DiMoc project by the 2018–2019 BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND programme with the funding organisation FWO. The Barcoding Facility for Organisms and Tissues of Policy Concern is financed by the Belgian Science Policy Office (Belspo) as Belgian federal in-kind contribution to the European Research Infrastructure Consortium “LifeWatch”. The Outbreak Research Team of the Institute of Tropical Medicine is financially supported by the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation of the Flemish government.https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.comam2023Veterinary Tropical Disease

Aedes koreicus, a vector on the rise: Pan-European genetic patterns, mitochondrial and draft genome sequencing

25openYesBackground The mosquito Aedes koreicus (Edwards, 1917) is a recent invader on the European continent that was introduced to several new places since its first detection in 2008. Compared to other exotic Aedes mosquitoes with public health significance that invaded Europe during the last decades, this species’ biology, behavior, and dispersal patterns were poorly investigated to date. Methodology/Principal findings To understand the species’ population relationships and dispersal patterns within Europe, a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI or COX1) gene was sequenced from 130 mosquitoes, collected from five countries where the species has been introduced and/or established. Oxford Nanopore and Illumina sequencing techniques were combined to generate the first complete nuclear and mitochondrial genomic sequences of Ae. koreicus from the European region. The complete genome of Ae. koreicus is 879 Mb. COI haplotype analyses identified five major groups (altogether 31 different haplotypes) and revealed a large-scale dispersal pattern between European Ae. koreicus populations. Continuous admixture of populations from Belgium, Italy, and Hungary was highlighted, additionally, haplotype diversity and clustering indicate a separation of German sequences from other populations, pointing to an independent introduction of Ae. koreicus to Europe. Finally, a genetic expansion signal was identified, suggesting the species might be present in more locations than currently detected. Conclusions/Significance Our results highlight the importance of genetic research of invasive mosquitoes to understand general dispersal patterns, reveal main dispersal routes and form the baseline of future mitigation actions. The first complete genomic sequence also provides a significant leap in the general understanding of this species, opening the possibility for future genome-related studies, such as the detection of ‘Single Nucleotide Polymorphism’ markers. Considering its public health importance, it is crucial to further investigate the species’ population genetic dynamic, including a larger sampling and additional genomic markers.Kurucz, Kornélia; Zeghbib, Safia; Arnoldi, Daniele; Marini, Giovanni; Manica, Mattia; Michelutti, Alice; Montarsi, Fabrizio; Deblauwe, Isra; Van Bortel, Wim; Smitz, Nathalie; Pfitzner, Wolf Peter; Czajka, Christina; Jöst, Artur; Kalan, Katja; Šušnjar, Jana; Ivović, Vladimir; Kuczmog, Anett; Lanszki, Zsófia; Tóth, Gábor Endre; Somogyi, Balázs A; Herczeg, Róbert; Urbán, Péter; Bueno-Marí, Rubén; Soltész, Zoltán; Kemenesi, GáborKurucz, K.; Zeghbib, S.; Arnoldi, D.; Marini, G.; Manica, M.; Michelutti, A.; Montarsi, F.; Deblauwe, I.; Van Bortel, W.; Smitz, N.; Pfitzner, W.P.; Czajka, C.; Jöst, A.; Kalan, K.; Šušnjar, J.; Ivović, V.; Kuczmog, A.; Lanszki, Z.; Tóth, G.E.; Somogyi, B.A.; Herczeg, R.; Urbán, P.; Bueno-Marí, R.; Soltész, Z.; Kemenesi, G

Publishing data to support the fight against human vector-borne diseases

Vector-borne diseases are responsible for more than 17% of human cases of infectious diseases. In most situations, effective control of debilitating and deadly vector-bone diseases (VBDs), such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika and Chagas requires up-to-date, robust and comprehensive information on the presence, diversity, ecology, bionomics and geographic spread of the organisms that carry and transmit the infectious agents. Huge gaps exist in the information related to these vectors, creating an essential need for campaigns to mobilise and share data. The publication of data papers is an effective tool for overcoming this challenge. These peer-reviewed articles provide scholarly credit for researchers whose vital work of assembling and publishing well-described, properly-formatted datasets often fails to receive appropriate recognition. To address this, GigaScience 's sister journal GigaByte partnered with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to publish a series of data papers, with support from the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Here we outline the initial results of this targeted approach to sharing data and describe its importance for controlling VBDs and improving public health