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Metzger ME, Wekesa JW, Kluh S, Fujioka KK, Saviskas R, Arugay A, McConnell N, Nguyen K, Krueger L, Hacker GM, Hu R, Kramer VL. Detection and Establishment of Aedes notoscriptus (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes in Southern California, United States. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:67-77. [PMID: 34617571 PMCID: PMC8755992 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aedes notoscriptus (Skuse), the Australian backyard mosquito, is a pestiferous daytime-biting species native to Australia and the surrounding southwestern Pacific region. It is suspected to play a role in the transmission of several arboviruses and is considered a competent vector of dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy). This highly adaptable mosquito thrives in natural and artificial water-holding containers in both forested and urbanized areas, from tropical to temperate climates, and has benefitted from a close association with humans, increasing in abundance within its native range. It invaded and successfully established in New Zealand as well as in previously unoccupied temperate and arid regions of Australia. Ae. notoscriptus was discovered in Los Angeles County, CA, in 2014, marking the first time this species had been found outside the southwestern Pacific region. By the end of 2019, immature and adult mosquitoes had been collected from 364 unique locations within 44 cities spanning three southern California counties. The discovery, establishment, and rapid spread of this species in urban areas may signal the global movement and advent of a new invasive container-inhabiting species. The biting nuisance, public health, and veterinary health implications associated with the invasion of southern California by this mosquito are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco E Metzger
- Vector-Borne Disease Section, Division of Communicable Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, 1616 Capitol Avenue, MS-7307, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
| | - J Wakoli Wekesa
- San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, 1145 North Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina, CA 91790, USA
- Current Address: East Side Mosquito Abatement District, 2000 Santa Fe Avenue, Modesto, CA 95357, USA
| | - Susanne Kluh
- Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, 12545 Florence Avenue, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA
| | - Kenn K Fujioka
- San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, 1145 North Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina, CA 91790, USA
| | - Robert Saviskas
- Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District, 6750 Centinela Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230, USA
| | - Aaron Arugay
- Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District, 6750 Centinela Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230, USA
| | - Nathan McConnell
- County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health, Vector Control Program, 5570 Overland Avenue Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Kiet Nguyen
- Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, 13001 Garden Grove Boulevard, Garden Grove, CA 92843, USA
| | - Laura Krueger
- Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, 13001 Garden Grove Boulevard, Garden Grove, CA 92843, USA
| | - Gregory M Hacker
- Vector-Borne Disease Section, Division of Communicable Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, 1616 Capitol Avenue, MS-7307, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
| | - Renjie Hu
- Vector-Borne Disease Section, Division of Communicable Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, 1616 Capitol Avenue, MS-7307, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
| | - Vicki L Kramer
- Vector-Borne Disease Section, Division of Communicable Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, 1616 Capitol Avenue, MS-7307, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
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Webb CE, Porigneaux PG, Durrheim DN. Assessing the Risk of Exotic Mosquito Incursion through an International Seaport, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:25. [PMID: 33671150 PMCID: PMC8005993 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Exotic mosquitoes, especially container-inhabiting species such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, pose a risk to Australia as they bring with them potentially significant pest and public health concerns. Notwithstanding the threat to public health and wellbeing, significant economic costs associated with the burden of mosquito control would fall to local authorities. Detection of these mosquitoes at airports and seaports has highlighted pathways of introduction but surveillance programs outside these first ports of entry are not routinely conducted in the majority of Australian cities. To assist local authorities to better prepare response plans for exotic mosquito incursions, an investigation was undertaken to determine the extent of habitats suitable for container-inhabiting mosquitoes in over 300 residential properties adjacent to the Port of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW. More than 1500 water-holding containers were recorded, most commonly pot plant saucers, roof gutters, and water-holding plants (e.g., bromeliads). There were significantly more containers identified for properties classified as untidy but there was no evidence visible that property characteristics could be used to prioritise property surveys in a strategic eradication response. The results demonstrate that there is potential for local establishment of exotic mosquitoes and that considerable effort would be required to adequately survey these environments for the purpose of surveillance and eradication programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron E. Webb
- Marie Bashir Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2006, Australia
- Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | | | - David N. Durrheim
- Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia; (P.G.P.); (D.N.D.)
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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