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Arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) are expanding their geographic range, posing significant health threats to millions of people worldwide. This expansion is associated with efficient and suitable vector availability. Apart from the well-known Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, other Aedes species may potentially promote the geographic spread of arboviruses because these viruses have similar vector requirements. Aedes japonicus, Ae. vexans, and Ae. vittatus are a growing concern, given their potential and known vector competence for several arboviruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and zika viruses. In the present study, we developed detailed maps of their global potential distributions under both current and future (2050) climate conditions, using an ecological niche modeling approach (Maxent). Under present-day conditions, Ae. japonicus and Ae. vexans have suitable areas in the northeastern United States, across Europe, and in southeastern China, whereas the tropical regions of South America, Africa, and Asia are more suitable for Ae. vittatus. Future scenarios anticipated range changes for the three species, with each expected to expand into new areas that are currently not suitable. By 2050, Ae. japonicus will have a broader potential distribution across much of Europe, the United States, western Russia, and central Asia. Aedes vexans may be able to expand its range, especially in Libya, Egypt, and southern Australia. For Ae. vittatus, future projections indicated areas at risk in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. As such, these species deserve as much attention as Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus when processing arboviruses risk assessments and our findings may help to better understand the potential distribution of each species. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Mosquitoes transmit several agents of diseases and the presence of different species represents a threat to animal and public health. Aedes and Culex mosquitoes are of particular concern giving their potential vector competence for Arbovirus transmission. In Morocco, the lack of detailed information related to their spatial distribution raises major concerns and hampers effective vector surveillance and control. Using maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling, we generated prediction models for the potential distribution of Arboviruses vectors (Aedes aegypti, Ae. vexans, Ae. caspius, Ae. detritus, and Culex pipiens) in Morocco, under current climatic conditions. Also, we investigated the habitat suitability for the potential occurrence and establishment of Ae. albopictus and Ae. vittatus recorded only once in the country. Prediction models for these last two species were generated considering occurrence datasets from close countries of the Mediterranean Basin, where Ae. albopictus is well established, and from a worldwide database for the case of Ae. vittatus (model transferability). With the exception of Ae. vittatus, the results identify potential habitat suitability in Morocco for all mosquitos considered. Existing areas with maximum risk of establishment and high potential distribution were mainly located in the northwestern and central parts of Morocco. Our results essentially underline the assumption that Ae. albopictus, if not quickly controlled, might find suitable habitats and has the potential to become established, especially in the northwest of the country. These findings may help to better understand the potential distribution of each species and enhance surveillance efforts in areas identified as high risk.Modélisation et cartographie de l’aptitude de l’habitat et de la distribution potentielle des vecteurs d’Arbovirus au Maroc.Les moustiques transmettent plusieurs agents de maladies et la présence de différentes espèces représente une menace pour la santé animale et publique. Les moustiques Aedes et Culex sont particulièrement préoccupants compte tenu de leur compétence de vecteur potentiel pour la transmission des Arbovirus. Au Maroc, le manque d’informations détaillées relatives à leur répartition spatiale soulève des préoccupations majeures et entrave une surveillance et un contrôle efficaces des vecteurs. En utilisant la modélisation de l’entropie maximale (Maxent), nous avons généré des modèles de prédiction pour la distribution potentielle des vecteurs d’Arbovirus (Aedes aegypti, Ae. vexans, Ae. caspius, Ae. detritus et Culex pipiens) au Maroc, dans les conditions climatiques actuelles. De plus, nous avons étudié l’adéquation de l’habitat pour l’occurrence et l’établissement potentiels d’Ae. albopictus et Ae. vittatus signalés une seule fois dans le pays. Des modèles de prévision pour ces deux dernières espèces ont été générés en tenant compte des ensembles de données d’occurrence des pays voisins du bassin méditerranéen, où Ae. albopictus est bien établi et provient d’une base de données mondiale pour le cas d’Ae. vittatus (transférabilité du modèle). À l’exception d’Ae. vittatus, les résultats identifient la pertinence potentielle de l’habitat au Maroc pour tous les moustiques considérés. Les zones existantes présentant un risque maximal d’établissement et une distribution à fort potentiel étaient principalement situées dans le nord-ouest et le centre du Maroc. Nos résultats soulignent essentiellement l’hypothèse qu’Ae. albopictus, s’il n’est pas rapidement contrôlé, pourrait trouver des habitats convenables et a le potentiel de s’établir, en particulier dans le nord-ouest du pays. Ces résultats peuvent aider à mieux comprendre la répartition potentielle de chaque espèce et à renforcer les efforts de surveillance dans les zones identifiées comme à haut risque.