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Este artículo contiene 12 páginas, 2 tablas, 2 figuras., Background: Active surveillance aimed at the early detection of invasive mosquito species is usually focused on seaports and airports as points of entry, and along road networks as dispersion paths. In a number of cases, however, the frst detections of colonizing populations are made by citizens, either because the species has already moved beyond the implemented active surveillance sites or because there is no surveillance in place. This was the case of the frst detection in 2018 of the Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus, in Asturias (northern Spain) by the citizen science platform Mosquito Alert. Methods: The collaboration between Mosquito Alert, the Ministry of Health, local authorities and academic research‑ ers resulted in a multi-source surveillance combining active feld sampling with broader temporal and spatial citizensourced data, resulting in a more fexible and efcient surveillance strategy. Results: Between 2018 and 2020, the joint eforts of administrative bodies, academic teams and citizen-sourced data led to the discovery of this species in northern regions of Spain such as Cantabria and the Basque Country. This raised the estimated area of occurrence of Ae. japonicus from < 900 km2 in 2018 to > 7000 km2 in 2020. Conclusions: This population cluster is geographically isolated from any other population in Europe, which raises questions about its origin, path of introduction and dispersal means, while also highlighting the need to enhance sur‑ veillance systems by closely combining crowd-sourced surveillance with public health and mosquito control agencies’ eforts, from local to continental scales. This multi-actor approach for surveillance (either passive and active) shows high potential efciency in the surveillance of other invasive mosquito species, and specifcally the major vector Aedes aegypti which is already present in some parts of Europe., RE and FB from Mosquito Alert received funding from “la Caixa” Foundation (ID 100010434), under agreement HR18-00336 (Community-Driven Big Data Intel‑ ligence to Fight Mosquito-Borne Disease). This project has also been funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, under the grant agreement 874735 (VEO). Samplings in the Basque Country were funded by the Department of Public Health and the Department of Economic Development and Infrastructures of the Basque Government, and co-funded by the project EU-LIFE 18 IPC/ES/000001 (Urban Klima 2050).

Vector-borne diseases are responsible for more than 17% of human cases of infectious diseases. In most situations, effective control of debilitating and deadly vector-bone diseases (VBDs), such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika and Chagas requires up-to-date, robust and comprehensive information on the presence, diversity, ecology, bionomics and geographic spread of the organisms that carry and transmit the infectious agents. Huge gaps exist in the information related to these vectors, creating an essential need for campaigns to mobilise and share data. The publication of data papers is an effective tool for overcoming this challenge. These peer-reviewed articles provide scholarly credit for researchers whose vital work of assembling and publishing well-described, properly-formatted datasets often fails to receive appropriate recognition. To address this, GigaScience 's sister journal GigaByte partnered with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to publish a series of data papers, with support from the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Here we outline the initial results of this targeted approach to sharing data and describe its importance for controlling VBDs and improving public health.

Haematophagous Diptera, such as mosquitoes (Culicidae), biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), and black flies (Simuliidae), are important insects for public and animal health due to their capacity to bite and transmit pathogens. Outdoor recreation areas are usually affected by biting species and provide suitable habitats to both adult and immature stages. This study aimed to determine the species diversity and larval sites of these Diptera groups in two golf courses.A multi-method collection approach using ultraviolet-CDC traps, human landing catches, collection in breeding sites, and ovitraps was implemented during summer 2020 in northern Spain. Insects were determined by morphological features accompanied by DNA barcoding.A total of ten native mosquito species were recorded either as adults or as larval stages. The invasive species Aedes japonicus was collected only at egg or pupa stage in ovitraps. Culex pipiens s.l. and Culex torrentium were both common mosquito species accounting for 47.9% of the total larval site collections and their larvae might be found in a wide range of natural and artificial sites. Culiseta longiareolata specimens were also prominent (30.1% of the total) and occurred exclusively in man-made water-filled containers. A total of 13 Culicoides species were identified, 10 of which were captured by ultraviolet-CDC traps, particularly members of the Obsoletus complex (Culicoides obsoletus/Culicoides scoticus, 74.9%) and seven species by emergence traps, being the two most abundant C. kibunensis (44.8%) and C. festivipennis (34.9%). Simulium cryophilum was also collected hovering around the operator under field sampling.A comprehensive representation of the blood-sucking Diptera fauna and their larval sites was obtained by the multi-method approach in two Spanish golf courses.

Este artículo contiene 12 páginas, 8 figuras, 2 tablas., Global monitoring of disease vectors is undoubtedly becoming an urgent need as the human population rises and becomes increasingly mobile, international commercial exchanges increase, and climate change expands the habitats of many vector species. Traditional surveillance of mosquitoes, vectors of many diseases, relies on catches, which requires regular manual inspection and reporting, and dedicated personnel, making large-scale monitoring difcult and expensive. New approaches are solving the problem of scalability by relying on smartphones and the Internet to enable novel community-based and digital observatories, where people can upload pictures of mosquitoes whenever they encounter them. An example is the Mosquito Alert citizen science system, which includes a dedicated mobile phone app through which geotagged images are collected. This system provides a viable option for monitoring the spread of various mosquito species across the globe, although it is partly limited by the quality of the citizen scientists’ photos. To make the system useful for public health agencies, and to give feedback to the volunteering citizens, the submitted images are inspected and labeled by entomology experts. Although citizen-based data collection can greatly broaden disease-vector monitoring scales, manual inspection of each image is not an easily scalable option in the long run, and the system could be improved through automation. Based on Mosquito Alert’s curated database of expert-validated mosquito photos, we trained a deep learning model to fnd tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus), a species that is responsible for spreading chikungunya, dengue, and Zika among other diseases. The highly accurate 0.96 area under the receiver operating characteristic curve score promises not only a helpful pre-selector for the expert validation process but also an automated classifer giving quick feedback to the app participants, which may help to keep them motivated. In the paper, we also explored the possibilities of using the model to improve future data collection quality as a feedback loop., Tis work was in part fnanced by EU Horizon 2020 program Grant agreement “VEO” No. 874735. Te research was supported by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology NRDI Ofce within the framework of the Artifcial Intelligence National Laboratory Program.

A gynandromorph is an imago combining well-defined male and female structures, caused by different processes, and it is infrequent in wild-caught mosquitoes. A

Se expone la primera cita de Aedes (Fredwardsius) vittatus (Bigot, 1861) en la comunidad autónoma de Galicia, conseguida gracias a la plataforma de ciencia ciudadana Mosquito Alert. Aun cuando este proyecto está enfocado hacia la detección y seguimiento de dos especies de culícidos exóticos invasores: Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse 1894) y Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.), se evidencia la gran capacidad existente para el estudio de la biodiversidad así como la detección de otras especies por parte de plataformas que se apoyan en miles de ciudadanos motivados y un equipo experto. We present here the first record of Aedes (Fredwardsius) vittatus (Bigot, 1861) in the autonomous region of Galicia, obtained by the means of the citizen science project Mosquito Alert. Whereas this project only aims to the monitoring and early detection of the two invasive mosquito species Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse 1894) and Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.), it is worth noting its capacities in regards to the general biodiversity study and the detection of mosquito species if a large pool of users combines with the expert knowledge.

A gynandromorph is an imago combining well-defined male and female structures, caused by different processes, and it is infrequent in wild-caught mosquitoes. A Culex pipiens gynandromorph was caught in La Grajera wetland (La Rioja, Spain) in 2016. The phenotypic sex of wings was determined using linear discriminating analysis and the training error for the model on a previous database of sex-classified wing biometry data. It is suggested that the individual had an uncommon layout categorized as a top quarter male gynandromorph.

Invasive species can encounter environments different from their source populations, which may trigger rapid adaptive changes after introduction (niche shift hypothesis). To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether postintroduction evolution is correlated with contrasting environmental conditions between the European invasive and source ranges in the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. The comparison of environmental niches occupied in European and source population ranges revealed more than 96% overlap between invasive and source niches, supporting niche conservatism. However, we found evidence for postintroduction genetic evolution by reanalyzing a published ddRADseq genomic dataset from 90 European invasive populations using genotype–environment association (GEA) methods and generalized dissimilarity modeling (GDM). Three loci, among which a putative heat‐shock protein, exhibited significant allelic turnover along the gradient of winter precipitation that could be associated with ongoing range expansion. Wing morphometric traits weakly correlated with environmental gradients within Europe, but wing size differed between invasive and source populations located in different climatic areas. Niche similarities between source and invasive ranges might have facilitated the establishment of populations. Nonetheless, we found evidence for environmental‐induced adaptive changes after introduction. The ability to rapidly evolve observed in invasive populations (genetic shift) together with a large proportion of unfilled potential suitable areas (80%) pave the way to further spread of Ae. albopictus in Europe., Invasive species can encounter environments different from their source populations, which may trigger rapid adaptive changes after introduction. Combining niche distribution modeling, genotype–environment associations and generalized dissimilarity modeling, we found evidence for environmental‐induced adaptive changes in the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus after its introduction in Europe. The ability to rapidly evolve observed in invasive populations together with a large proportion of unfilled potential suitable areas pave the way to further spread of Ae. albopictus in Europe.

A range of mosquito species that belong to the Culicidae family are responsible for the worldwide transmission of infectious arboviral diseases such as dengue fever, Zika, West Nile fever and Chikungunya fever. Spain is at risk of arbovirus outbreaks, as various arboviral diseases are frequently introduced and it has established competent vector populations. Autochthonous human cases of West Nile virus have been reported infrequently since 2004, and since October 2018 three autochthonous human case of dengue fever have been confirmed. In response to an outbreak of any arboviral disease, space spraying or fogging will be implemented to control adult mosquito populations. To ensure adulticiding is cost-effective, the insecticide susceptibility status of vectors throughout Catalonia, an autonomous region in north-eastern Spain, was assessed through standardized WHO tube and CDC bottle bioassays. All Culex pipiens populations tested were resistant to at least one of the pyrethroids tested, whereas Aedes albopictus populations were susceptible to all pyrethroids tested. More detailed studies on the Cx. pipiens populations from the Barcelona area (the capital and largest city of Catalonia) revealed resistance to all four classes of public health insecticides available (pyrethroids, carbamates, organophosphates and organochlorides). All Ae. albopictus populations were susceptible to those classes, except for one of the tests performed with pirimiphos-methyl (an organophosphate). Pyrethroids are currently the first line chemical class to be used in space spray operations in response to an outbreak of an arboviral disease. While pyrethroids can be effective in reducing Ae. albopictus populations, this class may not be effective to control Cx. pipiens populations.

Este artículo consta de 5 páginas.

[Background] Aedes japonicus is an invasive vector mosquito from Southeast Asia which has been spreading across central Europe since the year 2000. Unlike the Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) present in Spain since 2004, there has been no record of Ae. japonicus in the country until now., [Results] Here, we report the first detection of Ae. japonicus in Spain, at its southernmost location in Europe. This finding was triggered by the citizen science platform Mosquito Alert. In June 2018, a citizen sent a report via the Mosquito Alert app from the municipality of Siero in the Asturias region (NW Spain) containing pictures of a female mosquito compatible with Ae. japonicus. Further information was requested from the participant, who subsequently provided several larvae and adults that could be classified as Ae. japonicus. In July, a field mission confirmed its presence at the original site and in several locations up to 9 km away, suggesting a long-time establishment. The strong media impact in Asturias derived from the discovery raised local participation in the Mosquito Alert project, resulting in further evidence from surrounding areas., [Conclusions] Whilst in the laboratory Ae. japonicus is a competent vector for several mosquito-borne pathogens, to date only West Nile virus is a concern based on field evidence. Nonetheless, this virus has yet not been detected in Asturias so the vectorial risk is currently considered low. The opportunity and effectiveness of combining citizen-sourced data to traditional surveillance methods are discussed., Mosquito Alert is currently promoted by the ‘la Caixa’ Banking Foundation and Dipsalut from the Diputació de Girona, and sponsored by the Company Lokimica S.A.

Dengue has emerged as the most important viral mosquito-borne disease globally. The current risk of dengue outbreaks in Europe appeared with the introduction of the vector Aedes albopictus mosquito in Mediterranean countries. Considering the increasing frequency of dengue epidemics worldwide and the movement of viraemic hosts, it is expected that new autochthonous cases will occur in the future in Europe. Arbovirus surveillance started in Catalonia in 2015 to monitor imported cases and detect possible local arboviral transmission. During 2015, 131 patients with a recent travel history to endemic countries were tested for dengue virus (DENV) and 65 dengue cases were detected. Twenty-eight patients with a febrile illness were viraemic, as demonstrated by a positive real-time RT-PCR test for DENV in serum samples. Entomological investigations around the viraemic cases led to the detection of DENV in a pool of local Ae. albopictus captured in the residency of one case. The sequence of the DENV envelope gene detected in the mosquito pool was identical to that detected in the patient. Our results show how entomological surveillance conducted around viraemic travellers can be effective for early detection of DENV in mosquitoes and thus might help to prevent possible autochthonous transmission.

Dengue has emerged as the most important viral mosquito-borne disease globally. The current risk of dengue outbreaks in Europe appeared with the introduction of the vector Aedes albopictus mosquito in Mediterranean countries. Considering the increasing frequency of dengue epidemics worldwide and the movement of viraemic hosts, it is expected that new autochthonous cases will occur in the future in Europe. Arbovirus surveillance started in Catalonia in 2015 to monitor imported cases and detect possible local arboviral transmission. During 2015, 131 patients with a recent travel history to endemic countries were tested for dengue virus (DENV) and 65 dengue cases were detected. Twenty-eight patients with a febrile illness were viraemic, as demonstrated by a positive real-time RT-PCR test for DENV in serum samples. Entomological investigations around the viraemic cases led to the detection of DENV in a pool of local Ae. albopictus captured in the residency of one case. The sequence of the DENV envelope gene detected in the mosquito pool was identical to that detected in the patient. Our results show how entomological surveillance conducted around viraemic travellers can be effective for early detection of DENV in mosquitoes and thus might help to prevent possible autochthonous transmission. Funding acknowledgment to the CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya and the Health department of the Generalitat de Catalunya. The study was also partially funded by ISCIII, project RD12/0018/0006 Red de Enfermedades Tropicales, Subprograma RETICS del Plan Estatal de I+D+I 2013-2016 and cofunded by FEDER: Una manera de hacer Europa and by grant 2017 SGR 794 from the Agència de gestió Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR) - Departament d’Empresa i Coneixement . Generalitat de Catalunya. The authors are very grateful for the excellent technical contribution of Núria Pujol and Raquel Rivas from CReSA (IRTA). Sí

The invasive mosquito, Aedes albopictus, found in Spain since 2004, is a competent vector of yellow fever, Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses among other diseases. Although controversial, the use of adulticiding is a relevant tool for vector control and could be crucial for the management of any possible outbreak of imported diseases. We present the 1st study in Spain on the susceptibility of field populations from Barcelona, Peniscola, Castellon, and Mallorca of Ae. albopictus to several pyrethroids using either bioassays under the World Health Organization methodology and biochemical tests. In the bioassays, the discriminating concentrations were calculated using a local, susceptible laboratory strain. Different susceptibility levels were found for some combinations of populations and products. The biochemical tests carried out by enzymatic analysis supported these results, showing an overexpression of glutathione S-transferase activity in 1 population.

Este artículo contiene 15 páginas, 8 figuras., Whereas the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has low active dispersal capabilities, its worldwide colonization has been rapid. Indirect evidence and informal reports have long implicated passive transportation in cars, but this has not previously been studied systematically given the difficulties of real-time roadside surveys. Here we report the first sampling study confirming that adult tiger mosquitoes travel with humans in cars and enabling us to estimate the frequency of these events. We combine the results with citizen science data to model the car-facilitated dispersal of Aedes albopictus at a nationwide level. During the summer of 2015, we sampled 770 cars in north-eastern Spain, discovering 4 adult female tiger mosquitoes that had entered cars prior to sampling. Our Bayesian model suggests that of the 6.5 million daily car trips in the Barcelona metropolitan area, between 13,000 and 71,500 facilitate tiger mosquito movement, and that Barcelona is the largest source of interprovince tiger mosquito transfers in Spain. Our results are supported by expert-validated citizen science data, and will contribute to better understanding the tiger mosquito’s invasion process and ultimately lead to more effective vector control strategies.

Este artículo contiene 13 páginas, 8 figuras, 2 tablas., Recent outbreaks of Zika, chikungunya and dengue highlight the importance of better understanding the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes across multiple spatio-temporal scales. Traditional surveillance tools are limited by jurisdictional boundaries and cost constraints. Here we show how a scalable citizen science system can solve this problem by combining citizen scientists’ observations with expert validation and correcting for sampling effort. Our system provides accurate early warning information about the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) invasion in Spain, well beyond that available from traditional methods, and vital for public health services. It also provides estimates of tiger mosquito risk comparable to those from traditional methods but more directly related to the human–mosquito encounters that are relevant for epidemiological modelling and scalable enough to cover the entire country. These results illustrate how powerful public participation in science can be and suggest citizen science is positioned to revolutionize mosquito-borne disease surveillance worldwide., A. Torrell (Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat, Generalitat de Catalunya) and the support of the Spanish Ministry of Public Health, CCAES (Centro de Coordinación de Alertas y Emergencias Sanitarias) and the Health Department of the Generalitat de Catalunya. J.R.B.P. is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 657956. The research leading to these results has received funding from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO, Plan Estatal I+D+I CGL2013-43139-R) and ‘la Caixa’ Banking Foundation. Mosquito Alert is currently promoted by ‘la Caixa’ Banking Foundation. Other contributors during 2014-15 are the Fundación Española de Ciencia y Tecnología (FCT-13-7019), the program RecerCaixa-2013, and the company Lokimica S.A.

Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, was 1st detected in Spain in 2004 and since then has spread along the Mediterranean coast. New adulticiding strategies are being tested to enhance control of the species. The residual effect of applications of 2 formulations containing deltamethrin over vegetation was evaluated in bioassay tests for 34 days. Hedera helix plants were treated with K-othrine SC25® (deltamethrin 2.56% SC) and Aqua K-othrine® (deltamethrin 2.03% EW). Bioassays consisted of exposing batches of Ae. albopictus females to treated plants. Significant mortality (>80%) for up to 12 days was obtained with Aqua K-othrine, and for up to 5 days using K-othrine SC25. Results show that the type of formulation has an impact on the residual effect of deltamethrin against Ae.albopictus. This validates the strategy of applying pyrethroid insecticides to vegetal barriers for the control of this species, as carried out in several countries.

The invasive species Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse 1894) (Diptera: Culicidae) has reached several European countries, including Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and recently Spain (Med. Vet. Entomol. 20: 150-152, 2006). Here, we present the initial characterization of the distribution of Ae. albopictus in the municipality of Sant Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, Spain, where it was found for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula. An ovitrap sampling campaign was developed from September to December 2004 to assess the spatial distribution and abundance of Ae. albopictus to evaluate the potential of an eradication attempt. The population of Ae. albopictus in the whole area was shown to be widespread within the municipality, and it included at least another one neighboring town, so authorities were advised to develop large-scale control measures. Some indirect evidence was collected on the introduction means and date.

The used tire trade has facilitated the introduction, spread, and establishment of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, and other mosquito species in several countries of America, Africa, Oceania, and Europe. A strategy for detecting these imported mosquito vectors was developed in Spain during 2003-2004 by EVITAR (multidisciplinary network for the study of viruses transmitted by arthropods and rodents). A survey in 45 locations found no invasive species. Eight autochthonous species of mosquitoes were detected in used tires, including Culex pipiens, Cx. hortensis, Cx. modestus, Anopheles atroparvus, An. claviger, Culiseta longiareolata, Cs. annulata, and Aedes caspius. Dominant species were Cx. pipiens and Cs. longiareolata. Aedes caspius was found in only once, near its natural breeding habitat. Considering the recent discovery of an established population of Ae. albopictus in Catalonia, the increasing commerce of used tires in Spain for recycling, storage, and recapping might greatly contribute to the rapid spread of this species across the Iberian Peninsula.

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) has expanded its distribution worldwide during the past decades. Despite attempts to explain and predict its geographic occurrence, analyses of the distribution of Ae. albopictus in the context of broad climatic regions (biomes) has not been performed. We analyzed climate conditions at its distribution sites in the range before the worldwide invasions (from the easternmost Hawaii through westernmost Madagascar) by using thermal and aridity-humidity indices descriptive of major biomes. A significant advantage of this approach is that it uses simple indices that are clearly related to the population dynamics of Ae. albopictus. Although it has been regarded as a forest species preferring humid climate, in areas with significant human habitation, the distribution sites extended from the per-humid, rain-forest zone to the semi-arid, steppe zone. This pattern was common from the tropics through the temperate zone. There was no seasonal discordance between temperature and precipitation; at sites where winter (monthly means 10°C) under the Asian summer monsoon. Absence of the species in northern and eastern coastal Australia and eastern coastal Africa was not attributable solely to climate conditions. However, Asia west of the summer monsoon range was climatically unsuitable due to low precipitation throughout the year or in warm months favorable to reproduction (concentration of precipitation in winter). We hypothesized that Ae. albopictus originated in continental Asia under the monsoon climate with distinct dry seasons and hot, wet summer enabling rapid population growth. Fil: Motoyoshi, Mogi. Saga University. Faculty of Medicine; Japón Fil: Armbruster, Peter. Georgetown University; Estados Unidos Fil: Tuno, Nobuko. Kanazawa University; Japón Fil: Campos, Raul Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Limnología; Argentina Fil: Eritja, Roger. Consell Comarcal del Baix Llobregat; España

Ground ultra-low volume (ULV) application against Aedes albopictus is a challenging methodology as its efficacy is strongly related to environmental conditions, insect behavior, and the pesticide formulation. Such operations are very relevant in many control programs, although their real efficacy is often unknown. Trials were carried out as part of real-world applications in urban scenarios in the Baix Llobregat region to evaluate the efficacy of 2 active ingredients, delatamethrin and alpha-cypermethrin. Both pyrethroids were tested against caged mosquitoes placed at a range of distances and under varying environmental conditions. Additionally, persistence on plants placed at the same distances was evaluated after 5 h, as well as droplet distribution using water-sensitive papers. The deltamethrin formulation used yielded significantly higher 24-h mortality than alpha-cypermethrin (100% direct mortality up to 25 m versus 10 m; and 73.9% residual 5-h mortality at 20 m compared to50% at 5 m). The influence of environmental factors, a comparison with other field tests, and the real effect on uncaged mosquitoes is discussed.

Field and laboratory studies were performed in order to assess the degree of canine dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy) in the Baix Llobregat region, a fluvial area near Barcelona, Spain. A total of 188 dogs were sampled between May and August of 1994. Three main areas were chosen: the Western Delta, the Eastern Delta and the Northern zone. Simultaneously, a mosquito sampling programme was carried out with CO2 light traps, to search for infective larvae (L3) of D. immitis. Of the 188 dogs sampled, 38 were positive for at least one of the three filaria found: D. immitis 12.8%, Dipetalonema reconditum (Grassi) 3.7% and Dipetalonema dracunculoides (Cobbold) 2.7%. Only 1.1% showed a mixed infection of both D. immitis and D. dracunculoides. Although Dirofilaria repens Raillet et Henry has been found in Spain, it was not found in this study. Comparing the three zones of the Baix Llobregat, the Eastern Delta showed the highest level of D. immitis (35.3%), probably due to the presence of Aedes caspius (Pallas). Despite the effort in sampling the mosquito population, D. immitis was not found in any of the 2001 females dissected, belonging to 5 species.

The invasive mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) was detected for the first time in Spain, in Sant Cugat del Vallès, a city in the north-east of the country (41 degrees 28' N, 2 degrees 4' E, altitude 120 m), during August 2004. A male and one larva were collected in the backyard of a house and in a tree hole, respectively. Dense populations of adults and larvae were found in subsequent surveys, confirming the establishment of the species in the area. This is the first report of the establishment of this species in the Iberian Peninsula.

The phytophagous bug Oxycarenus lavaterae F. may sometimes cause major public concern because of its breeding in large numbers near towns. This happened between 1994 and 1996 in Cornella de Llobregat, Baix Llobregat, northeastern Spain. As information on its susceptibility to pesticides was scarce, a laboratory susceptibility test was designed. Different dilutions of 3 pyrethroids (beta-cyfluthrin, tralomethrin, and deltamethrin) and 3 organophosphates (acephate, phoxim, and malathion) were evaluated by means of a direct-spray test. Tralomethrin at 22.7 mg/liter yielded an LT 50 of 30.6 min and was considered to be the most appropriate product for field use.

Gynandromorphism in mosquitoes is an infrequent phenomenon which may have useful applications in mosquito physiology, embryology, and genetics, and it could also provide valuable material for the development of non chemical control methods. To study the bilateral sexual expression on the thorax of a damaged, wild-caught northern house mosquito, Culex pippins L., 1758 gynandromorph, statistical discriminant analysis was required. The genotype sex of each wing was assessed by comparing it with a large database of 1,490 C. pipiens individuals for 4 sexually dimorphism wing vein parameters. Both wings were classified as female; therefore, it was concluded that the thorax boundary line was not oblique but rather transverse. The importance of database-linked statistical identification is also discussed.

The feeding patterns of haematophagous arthropods are of major importance in the ampliÞcation and transmission of infectious disease agents to vertebrate hosts, including humans. The establishment of new vector populations in nonnative range might alter transmission networks. The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) represents an example of how an invasive species can alter the risk of viral transmission to humans. Blood meal molecular identiÞcation from two sympatric mosquito species (the invasive Ae. albopictus and the native Culex pipiens) was carried out by polymerase chain reaction-based methods. Samples were collected in Barcelona metropolitan area, Spain, from June to October 2009 as part of a monitoring-control program. Blood meals were identiÞed to the species level in 30 Ae. albopictus and 43 Cx. pipiens. Ae. albopictus acquired blood exclusively from human hosts (100%), whereas Cx. pipiens fed on a diversity of avian and mammalian hosts, including 35.7% of blood meals from humans. Based on mosquito diet, our results suggest that the Ae. albopictus invasion in Spain might increase the risk of virus transmission to humans and could support local outbreaks of imported tropical viruses such as dengue and chikungunya. However, in the studied area, the presence of this invasive species would have a negligible effect on the transmission of zoonotic agents such as West Nile virus. However, Cx. pipiens could amplify and transmit West Nile virus, but avian contribution to its diet was lower than that reported in North America. Feeding patterns of these mosquito species may help to understand the ßavivirus outbreaks recently reported in southwestern Europe.

An Asiatic mosquito species, Aedes albopictus, began to spread worldwide in the 1970s thanks to marine transport of tires and other goods, leading to colonization of many areas of the world. This species is a vector of major human diseases such as Dengue, Yellow Fever and the West Nile virus. In Europe, it was established in Albania and Italy and has been detected in other countries such as France; no records exist for Spain as yet. Colonization by Aedes albopictus is a major public health concern considering that the West Nile virus and several other viruses are known to circulate sporadically in the Mediterranean. Additionally, the parent species Aedes aegypti was the vector causing severe outbreaks of Dengue and Yellow Fever two centuries ago. Although Ae. aegypti was also introduced, it was eradicated from Spain. Both mosquitoes shared habitat types, diseases transmitted and many bionomic data. This article contains a review of the present Ae. albopictus distribution range worldwide and discusses the likelihood of an establishment in Spain in view of climatological and geographical data.

Within the Llobregat Delta (Barcelona, Spain), Culex pipiens L. has been the target of organophosphate insecticide (OP) control for 10 yr (1982-1992). Between 1991 and 1992, OPs were replaced by Bacillus-based toxins in all the mosquito control programs within > 150 km of this area. The distribution of several OP-resistance genes was surveyed within the Llobregat Delta and neighboring populations (< 25 km) during the 2 yr following this regional pesticide change to investigate how the change in selection pressure affected the dynamics of OP-resistance genes. The immigration failure of the A2-B2 resistant esterases and the observed difference in OP-resistance dynamics between isolated and nonisolated populations may indicate fitness disadvantages associated with OP-resistance genes, hence a tendency for a decrease in OP-resistance. In contrast, one OP-resistance gene further increased in frequency, whereas the frequencies of some others were maintained. These unexpected results question the importance of pesticides from sources other than mosquito control, and the variability of pleiotropic fitness costs among pesticide resistance genes.

SummaryTwo ecotypes have been described forCulex pipiensmosquitoes of the temperate zone: a human commensal type and a feral type, but their degree of evolutionary differentiation and taxonomic status are still unclear. The commensal form is characterized by life-history traits probably adaptive to underground man-made environments. This situation has sometimes been considered as an example of recent speciation although the existence of intermediate forms indicates that the balance between gene flow and disruptive selection should first be assessed. The present study was concerned with (1) the determination of biological traits involved in adaptation to commensalism, and (2) the pattern of gene flow within and between ecotypes in a restricted area. It was found that (1) significant differences in biological traits exist between mosquitoes from different habitats, (2) characteristics of the commensal type are not universal in mosquitoes from underground man-made habitats, (3) allozyme markers do not clearly differentiate ecotypes and (4) insecticide resistance genes, which reveal recent migration, occur in each ecotype. These results are discussed in the context of possible speciation due to commensalism.

A case is reported of a capture of an Aedes taeniorhynchus female mosquito in an aircraft cabin as it attempted to bloodfeed on one of the authors during a transoceanic flight from the USA to the Iberian Peninsula.

Spray drift determinations of truck-mounted ULV applications of temephos and Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.) in simulated field trials were conducted in the Baix Llobregat area near Barcelona, Spain, using larval Culex pipiens as bioindicators. A 50:50 temephos:oil mixture applied at 350 ml/min, while traveling 9 kph, resulted in 100% control of larvae 10-50 m from the point of application (with the exception of 82% mortality at 30 m); control decreased rapidly to 50% at 55 m. Mortality due to B.t.i. application ranged from 92 to 100% within 12 m, and generally decreased therafter to about 11% at 30 m.

Ten years have gone by since the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus was recorded for the first time in Spain. In this paper, all relevant published information about this vector in Spain for the period 2004-2014 is reviewed. The known distribution for 2014 is provided, including all historical records (published and unpublished data) and the results from samplings of the last year. The consequences on public health about the presence of the Asian tiger mosquito in Spain are also highlighted. Further, legal aspects and control plans related to the management and diseases transmitted by this invasive vector species are also discussed. Part of the samplings are supported by the contract “Entomological surveillance at airports and ports against imported vectors of exotic infectious diseases and surveillance of potential indigenous vectors of such diseases”, funding by the Spanish Ministery of Health, Social Services and Equality, and the project “The tiger mosquito invasion in Spain: A public health risk caused by global change”, funding by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. The Generalitat de Catalunya has provided their unpublished sampling data from 2011 to 2014, what was indispensable to complete the known distribution. The Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias is involved in the entomological surveillance of airports and harbours of Canary Islands and the regional administration (Consejería de Sanidad) supports, in part, this work. The companies Compañía de Tratamientos de Levante S.L., Rafaela Belmonte Nortes and Campos Serrano Biólogos have collaborated in the samplings of 2014 in the Spanish Mediterranean side, exclusive Catalonia. The data of the project Atrapaeltigre.com has significantly helped to find some possible new localities for Ae. albopictus located far way from the known range. Sí