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Genetic studies preceded by the observation of an unknown mosquito species in Mikołów (Poland) confirmed that it belongs to a new invasive species in Polish fauna, Aedes japonicus (Theobald, 1901), a known vector for numerous infectious diseases. Ae. japonicus is expanding its geographical presence, raising concerns about potential disease transmission given its vector competence for chikungunya virus, dengue virus, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. This first genetically confirmed identification of Ae. japonicus in Poland initiates a comprehensive review of the literature on Ae. japonicus, its biology and ecology, and the viral infections transmitted by this species. This paper also presents the circumstances of the observation of Ae. japonicus in Poland and a methodology for identifying this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hyperparasitism of tetracotyle metacercariae (Cotylurus sp.; Strigeidae) in trematode asexually multiplicating larval stages (sporocysts and/or rediae) within snail intermediate hosts have been perceived for years as a highly evolved mode of life strategy within trematodes, enhancing their development and transmission success. Here, we verified these data and the potential implications for the co-evolution of life strategies within the host–parasite–hyperparasite system. During complex research on the taxonomy and life cycles of trematodes of the family Strigeidae, the results showed that the phenomenon of metacercariae hyperparasitism on sporocysts/rediae within snail hosts is not uncommon in natural conditions in central Europe. However, the relatively low rate of cases of hyperparasitism within the population of snails and the lack of visible trends favouring such a life strategy suggest the accidental nature of this phenomenon. Simultaneously, we found a significantly higher prevalence and mean intensity of tetracotyles in snails without sporocysts/rediae than in snails co-infected by these larval stages and tetracotyles. These distinctions suggest negative relationships between tetracotyles and trematode asexually multiplicating larval stages within snails, with a potential impact on the structure and functioning of trematode larval infracommunities in snail intermediate hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]