Search

Accurate identification of insect species is an indispensable and challenging requirement for every entomologist, particularly if the species is involved in disease outbreaks. The European MediLabSecure project designed an identification (ID) exercise available to any willing participant with the aim of assessing and improving knowledge in mosquito taxonomy. The exercise was based on high-definition photomicrographs of mosquitoes (26 adult females and 12 larvae) collected from the western Palaearctic. Sixty-five responses from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East were usable. The study demonstrated that the responders were better at identifying females (82% correct responses) than larvae (63%). When the responders reported that they were sure of the accuracy of their ID, the success rate of ID increased (92% for females and 88% for larvae). The top three tools used for ID were MosKeyTool (72% of responders), the ID key following Becker et al. [2010. Mosquitoes and their control, 2nd edn. Berlin: Springer] (38%), and the CD-ROM of Schaffner et al. [2001. Les moustiques d’Europe: logiciel d’identification et d’enseignement – The mosquitoes of Europe: an identification and training programme. Montpellier: IRD; EID] (32%), while other tools were used by less than 10% of responders. Responders reporting the identification of mosquitoes using the MosKeyTool were significantly better (80% correct responses) than non-MosKeyTool users (69%). Most responders (63%) used more than one ID tool. The feedback from responders in this study was positive, with the exercise being perceived as halfway between educational training and a fun quiz. It raised the importance of further expanding training in mosquito ID for better preparedness of mosquito surveillance and control programmes.

In Albania the first cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever was identified in 1986, and cases occur almost every year. The primary tick vectors belong to the Hyalomma genus. Hyalomma tick infest a wide spectrum of different wildlife species. During 2014 ticks from hosted animals, have been collected from 6 districts in Albania. Dragging collection from the host and the environment are the methods used for tick collection. Cows, sheep, goat and dogs are examined using gloves for the presence of ticks in ears, thighs, perineal region etc.Collected ticks were transported alive in the laboratory were subsequently identification at species level has been carried out based on identification keys and taxonomic characters as described by Estrada-Pena (ICTTD-2004). Seven ticks species have been identified during this study.Hyalomma marginatum (49%) was the predominant collected species, Rhipicephalus bursa (40%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (6%), Ixodes ricinus (2%), Boophilus annulatus (2%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (1%). Meanwhile Hyalomma detritium detritium, Hyalomma detritium scupense and Dermacentor marginatum were found with very low prevalence. Cows were the main host for Hyalomma marginatum and Rhipicephalus bursa on the other hand.Hy.marginatum were the prevalent species in CCHF endemic areas in Kukes prefecture, while Rhp. bursa was prevalent in Kolonje district where CCHF cases have been recently indetified.Hyalomma marginatum and Rhipicephalus bursa are predominant in CCHF endemic areas in Albania. While other species are distributed all over the districts. Identification of geographical distribution of ticks allows evaluating the risks and promptly implementing control measures for tick borne diseases accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modelling approaches play a crucial role in supporting local public health agencies by estimating and forecasting vector abundance and seasonality. However, the reliability of these models is contingent on the availability of standardized, high-quality data. Addressing this need, our study focuses on collecting and harmonizing egg count observations of the mosquito Aedes albopictus, obtained through ovitraps in monitoring and surveillance efforts across Albania, France, Italy, and Switzerland from 2010 to 2022. We processed the raw observations to obtain a continuous time series of ovitraps observations allowing for an extensive geographical and temporal coverage of Ae. albopictus population dynamics. The resulting post-processed observations are stored in the open-access database VectAbundance.This initiative addresses the critical need for accessible, high-quality data, enhancing the reliability of modelling efforts and bolstering public health preparedness., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Human and animal vector-borne diseases, particularly mosquito-borne diseases, are emerging or re-emerging worldwide. Six Aedes invasive mosquito (AIM) species were introduced to Europe since the 1970s: Aedes aegypti , Ae. albopictus , Ae. japonicus , Ae. koreicus , Ae. atropalpus and Ae. triseriatus . Here, we report the results of AIMSurv2020, the first pan-European surveillance effort for AIMs. Implemented by 42 volunteer teams from 24 countries. And presented in the form of a dataset named "AIMSurv Aedes Invasive Mosquito species harmonized surveillance in Europe. AIM-COST Action. Project ID: CA17108". AIMSurv2020 harmonizes field surveillance methodologies for sampling different AIMs life stages, frequency and minimum length of sampling period, and data reporting. Data include minimum requirements for sample types and recommended requirements for those teams with more resources. Data are published as a Darwin Core archive in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility- Spain, comprising a core file with 19,130 records (EventID) and an occurrences file with 19,743 records (OccurrenceID). AIM species recorded in AIMSurv2020 were Ae. albopictus , Ae. japonicus and Ae. koreicus , as well as native mosquito species., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© The Author(s) 2022.)