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Altogether, ten species of cuckoo bees of the tribe Dioxyini have been recorded from Europe, with two species distributed widely in the continent while others are restricted in distribution to only one or several countries in southern Europe. These ten representatives are classified into five genera: Aglaoapis, Dioxys, Ensliniana, Metadioxys and Paradioxys. Dioxys atlanticus is reclassified from a subspecies to a valid species, and new occurrence records of this species are reported. New synonymy is established for Dioxys cinctus = D. montana syn. nov. The distribution, morphology, ecology and hosts of all species were reviewed from both published and unpublished sources. New red-list categories for each species were created according to the new records of occurrence. An identification key including all ten species and photographs of their whole bodies and main identification characteristics was prepared, and distribution maps for all species were created. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rickettsia felis is an emerging pathogen with increasing reports of human cases and detection in arthropod and animal host species worldwide. In this scoping review we record the newest data reported for R. felis in Europe: the vector and host species found to be infected, and the geographical distribution and prevalence of R. felis infection in vectors and hosts. A total of 15 European countries reported the occurrence of R. felis in hosts and vectors during 2017–2022. The vectors found to be infected by R. felis were flea, tick and mite species; Ctenocephalides felis and Ixodes ricinus were the dominant ones. The hosts found to be infected and/or exposed to R. felis were humans, cats and small mammals. Physicians should be aware of the epidemiology and include illness caused by R. felis in the differential diagnosis of febrile disease. Veterinarians should keep training pet owners on the need for effective year-round arthropod control on their pets, especially for fleas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks are the most important vectors of disease-causing pathogens in Europe. In the U.K., Ixodes ricinus L. (Ixodida: Ixodidae) transmits louping ill virus (LIV; Flaviviridae), which kills livestock and red grouse, Lagopus lagopus scoticus Lath. (Galliformes: Phasianidae), a valuable game bird. Tick burdens on grouse have been increasing. One novel method to reduce ticks and LIV in grouse may be acaricide treatment. Here, we use a mathematical model parameterized with empirical data to investigate how the acaricide treatment of grouse might theoretically control ticks and LIV in grouse. Assuming a situation in which ticks and LIV impact on the grouse population, the model predicts that grouse density will depend on deer density because deer maintain the tick population. In low deer densities, no acaricide treatment is predicted to be necessary because abundances of grouse will be high. However, at higher deer densities, the model predicts that grouse densities will increase only if high numbers of grouse are treated, and the efficacy of acaricide is high and lasts 20 weeks. The qualitative model predictions may help to guide decisions on whether to treat grouse or cull deer depending on deer densities and how many grouse can be treated. The model is discussed in terms of practical management implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Invasive mosquito species alter the local epidemiology of many pathogens in the invaded areas, including locality circulating pathogens and imported ones. Four invasive species of the genus Aedes are established in Europe, potentially affecting the transmission of vector-borne diseases in the area. These species include Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes japonicus and Aedes koreicus. Here, we extensively review the blood feeding patterns of these invasive Aedes mosquitoes which constitute a key parameter affecting the contact rates between infected and susceptible hosts, thus playing a central role in epidemiology of mosquito-borne pathogens. Our results show that these mosquito species feed on different vertebrate groups, especially on mammals. Humans are common hosts of these species, representing 36% and 93% of the blood meals identified for Aedes japonicus and Aedes aegypti, respectively. Birds and, even, ectotherms have been recorded as potential hosts of these Aedes invasive mosquitoes. Given their competence for the transmission of emerging arboviruses such as dengue or Chikungunya viruses and their rates of feeding in humans, Aedes invasive species may have an important impact in the transmission of these pathogens in urban and periurban areas. Finally, we identify the knowledge gaps on the blood feeding patterns of these species and propose directions for future research. Aedes invasive mosquitoes (AIMs) play a key role as vectors of several pathogens of public health relevance. Four species have been established in Europe, including Aedes aegypti, Aedesalbopictus, Aedes japonicus and Aedes koreicus. In addition, Aedes atropalpus has been repeatedly recorded although it has not yet been established. In spite of their importance in the transmission of endemic (e.g., heartworms) and imported pathogens (e.g., dengue virus), basic information of parameters affecting their vectorial capacity is poorly investigated. The aim of this study is to review the blood feeding patterns of these invasive mosquito species in Europe, summarizing available information from their native and introduced distribution ranges. The feeding patterns of mosquitoes constitute a key parameter affecting the contact rates between infected and susceptible hosts, thus playing a central role in the epidemiology of mosquito-borne pathogens. Our results highlight that these mosquito species feed on the blood of different vertebrate groups from ectotherms to birds and mammals. However, humans represent the most important source of blood for these species, accounting for 36% and 93% of hosts identified for Ae. japonicus and Ae. aegypti, respectively. In spite of that, limited information has been obtained for some particular species, such as Ae. koreicus, or it is restricted to a few particular areas. Given the high vector competence of the four AIM species for the transmission of different emerging arboviruses such as dengue, Chikungunya, Zika or Yellow fever viruses and their high feeding rates on humans, these AIM species may have an important impact on the vectorial capacity for such pathogens on urban and periurban areas. Finally, we propose directions for future research lines based on identified knowledge gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The β-diversity of fleas parasitic on small mammals in 45 regions of the Palearctic was partitioned into species [species contributions to β-diversity (SCBD)] and site ( = assemblage) contributions [local contributions to β-diversity (LCBD)]. We asked what are the factors affecting SCBD and LCBD and tested whether (a) variation in ecological, morphological, life history and geographic traits of fleas can predict SCBD and (b) variation in flea and host community metrics, off-host environmental factors, host species composition of flea assemblages can predict LCBD. We used spatial variables to describe geographic distribution of flea assemblages with various LCBD values. SCBD significantly increased with an increase in abundance and a decrease in phylogenetic host specificity of a flea as well as with size and latitude of its geographic range, but was not associated with any morphological/life history trait. LCBD of flea assemblages did not depend on either flea or host species richness or environmental predictors, but was significantly affected by compositional uniqueness ( = LCBD) of regional host assemblages and variables describing their species composition. In addition, variation in LCBD was also explained by broad-to-moderate-scale spatial variables. We conclude that SCBD of fleas could be predicted via their ecological and geographic traits, whereas LCBD of their assemblages could be predicted via host composition.