Water associated with residential areas and tourist resorts is the key predictor of Asian tiger mosquito presence on a Mediterranean island. Issue 4 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sanz‐Aguilar, A.; Rosselló, R.; Bengoa, M.; Ruiz‐Pérez, M.; González‐Calleja, M.; Barceló, C.; Borrás, D.; Paredes‐Esquivel, C.; Miranda, M. A.; Tavecchia, G.
• Is Part Of: Medical and veterinary entomology. Volume 32:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 443
• Page End: 450
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Aedes albopictus -- detectability -- invasion -- invasive species -- site occupancy models -- Balearic Islands; Entomology -- Periodicals; Veterinary entomology -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.968
• DOI: 10.1111/mve.12317
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-283X

Abstract

Abstract: The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae), is a highly invasive species and a vector of several viruses of serious concern to public health. Investigating the habitat selection of this species at small to medium scales is essential to the planning of effective prevention and control campaigns. The present group considered detailed data for this species' presence/absence collected at 228 sites on Mallorca Island (Spain) in autumn 2015, 3 years after the first detection of the species on the island. Site occupancy models accounting for false negative detections and imperfect monitoring were used to evaluate the relationships between mosquito presence and habitat variables. In the study area, mosquito presence was negatively associated with altitude, probably as a result of greater human presence at low altitudes near the coast. Moreover, the presence of Ae. albopictus was positively associated with swimming pools as a result of associated gardens, plants and sources of fresh water. These two variables were combined to predict the presence of the species across the entire island. Abstract : Three years after its arrival, the probability of the presence of the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mallorca was 83% and was highest in coastal and tourist areas. On the island of Mallorca, mosquito presence was negatively associated with altitude, probably as a result of greater human presence at low altitudes near the coast. The presence of Ae. albopictus was positively associated with swimming pools as a result of associated gardens, plants and fresh water sources.