New study provides important information on mosquitoes that spread the disease

July 9, 2018

The Asian Tiger Mosquito ( Aedes albopictus ) is a highly invasive species and a vector of multiple pathogens including various viruses, such as chikungunya, dengue and the Zika. A new study of medical and veterinary entomology badessing the relationship between mosquito occurrence and small-scale habitat variables provides important information for planning effective prevention and control campaigns

. they found that Ae. The presence of Albopictus was negatively badociated with altitude, probably due to a greater human presence at low altitude near the coast. In addition, Ae. albopictus was positively badociated with the extent of the freshwater surface (mainly swimming pools), because of the gardens, plants and freshwater sources nearby. The researchers combined these two variables to predict the presence of the species across the island on a small scale.

"Given the widespread presence of Asian tiger mosquito on the island of Mallorca and its badociation with human activities, the removal of potential breeding sites The intervention of citizens will be essential to improve species control, "said Ana Sanz-Aguilar, lead author of IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Spain.