BOLETÍN DE MALARIOLOGÍA Y SALUD AMBIENTAL Vol. L, Nº 1, Enero-Julio, 2010

Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894): current status and records of an important invasive mosquito species in Rubén Bueno Marí & Ricardo Jiménez Peydró

Since the first detection of Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) in Spain in 2004 the expansion of this invasive mosquito (Diptera, Culicidae) has been constant through the East of the Iberian Peninsula. All the geo-referenced species records are provided together for the first time in this work. The potential negative implications for the public health as well as the Spanish and European management against the species are also briefly discussed.

Key words: Aedes albopictus, arboviruses, vector control, invasive species, public health, Spain.

Although invasive alien species (IAS) are the production of several water-borne substances considered one of the most important threats to (Sunahara & Mogi, 2002. Ecol. Entomol., 27: 346- biodiversity, it is well known that the impact of some 354), mating behaviour (Ribeiro and Spielman, 1986. of them strongly and directly affect public health, their Amer. Nat., 128: 513–528) or delays in hatching influence being secondary or null on native species in (Edgerly et al., 1993. Ecol. Entomol., 18: 123-128). terms of “interspecific competition”. Inside this group The ecological flexibility of Ae. albopictus allows it of IAS we can situate the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes to colonize many types of man-made sites such as albopictus (Skuse, 1894), in a worrying preferential cemetery flower pots, abandoned containers or used place (ISSG, 2009. http://www.issg.org/database/ tires, among others (Hawley et al., 1987. Science, 236: species/ecology.asp?si=109&fr=1&sts [Consulted: 1114-1116; Bueno Marí & Jiménez Peydró, 2009. Enf. 2010, February, 11]). The main reason of this concern Emerg., 11: 30-35), being consequently a great aquatic lies not only in the nuisances associated with their invader in several water microhabitats. Therefore, it intense anthropophilic behavior, but also for its ability has gone from being just a strictly tree hole mosquito to act as a vector of arboviruses such as Dengue, Yellow of the Asian jungle to becoming an urban mosquito Fever, West Nile, Chikungunya or Sindbis. Concerning currently present in all continents. the “interspecific competition”, a term understood as any mechanism that produces negative effects The first trapping ofAe. albopictus in Europe on population growth of the native or focal species occurred in Albania in 1979, probably due to the (Juliano & Lounibos, 2005. Ecol. Lett., 8: 558-574), introduction of indigenous populations from China the investigations are scanty and the results also less (Adhami & Reiter, 1998. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc., clarifying for invasive mosquitoes. 14: 340-343). Since then, sixteen European countries have detected Ae. albopictus at least once in their However some authors have proposed territory (ECDC, 2009. Technical Report. Development the appearance of competence situations related to of Aedes albopictus risk maps, pp: 1-45). However this number could be an underestimation due to the absence of Ae. albopictus surveillance in many countries of Laboratorio de Entomología y Control de Plagas, Instituto the Old Continent. In countries like Italy, where Ae. Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva (ICBIBE), Universitat de València (Estudi General), España. albopictus arrived in 1990, this invasive mosquito is currently colonizing two thirds of the territory, causing *Autor de correspondencia: [email protected] an expenditure of about 10-15 millions of Euros

139 Aedes albopictus in Spain in control strategies (Pilani et al., 2004. Abstracts Furthermore the European Centre for Disease book of the 3rd Third EMCA Workshop) and being Prevention and Control (ECDC) collaborates closely responsible of an outbreak of Chikungunya virus in 2007 with experts in entomology to ensure a comprehensive (Seyler et al., 2008. Euro Surveill. 13 (3) http://www. understanding of the vector-related risk for introduction eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=8015 of arboviruses in Europe. Moreover, in 2002 the [Consulted: 2010, February, 11]). European Mosquito Control Association (EMCA) created a specific working group focused in the study of The cosmopolitanism of the Asian tiger the status of Ae. albopictus in Europe due to the rapidity mosquito is closely related to several commercial of its spread in the Old Continent. It is important to and tourist human actions, taking even more into note that the surveillance of Ae. albopictus allowed account the short flight range of the imago (Eritja et the discovery of other exotic treehole species, also al., 2005. Biol. Invasions, 7: 87-97). The eggs of Ae. with a high vectorial capacity, such as Aedes japonicus albopictus can withstand desiccation, which allows (Theobald, 1901), Aedes atropalpus (Coquillett, 1902) them to survive long journeys around the world in or Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) in several European a variety of containers. Therefore, dispersions have countries (Romi et al., 1997. J. Am. Mosq. Control been determined by the presence of eggs in used Assoc., 13: 245-246; Schaffner et al., 2003. J. Am. tires (Reiter & Sprenger, 1987. J. Am. Mosq. Control Mosq. Control Assoc., 19: 1-5; Almeida et al., 2007. Assoc., 3: 494-501) and garden products associated Euro Surveill. 12 (46) www.eurosurveillance.org/ with “Lucky Bamboo” (Dracaena spp.) (Madon et ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=3311 [Consulted: 2010, al., 2002. J. Vector Ecol., 27: 149-154), as well as February, 11]; Scholte et al., 2009. Euro Surveill. 14 accidental transport with adults inside vehicles (Flacio (45) http://www.eurosurveillance.org/images/dynamic/ et al., 2004. Boll. Soc. Ticin. Sci. Nat., 92: 141-142). EE/V14N45/art19400.pdf [Consulted: 2010, February, 11]). Nevertheless, control measures directed against In Spain, Ae. albopictus was first caught Ae. albopictus also enabled the elimination of some in Sant Cugat del Vallès (, Spain) in 2004 of these species in different territories (Romi et al., (Aranda et al., 2006. Med. Vet. Entomol., 20: 150-152) 1999. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc., 15: 425-427). promoted by an increase of medical visits resulting from the nuisance of their aggressive bites (Giménez In conclusion, we must pay attention to the et al., 2007. Gac. Sanitaria, 21: 25-28). In this country, dispersal and seasonal abundance of this invader until the year 2009 a total of 87 municipalities of mosquito with the aim of preventing possible scenarios Catalonia (NE of Spain) and 2 municipalities of of emergence and/or reemergence of several imported Alicante (SE of Spain) detected Asian tiger mosquito diseases in recent years in Spain such as Dengue or population in their territories (Roiz et al., 2007. Bol. Chikungunya (Martín-Farfán et al., 2008. Enferm. SEA, 40: 523-526; GCAT, 2008. Caracterització de la Infecc. Microbiol. Clin., 26: 343-344; Reiter, 2010. población del mosquit tigre asiàtic (Aedes albopictus) Euro Surveill. 15 (10) http://www.eurosurveillance. a Catalunya, pp: 1-66; Bueno Marí et al., 2009a. Bol. org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19509 [Consulted: Asoc. Esp. Entomol., 33: 529-532). All the information about these records is provided in Table I. Depending 2010, March, 15]; Bueno Marí and Jiménez Peydró, on the different regions, the mosquito control is carried 2010. Gac. Sanit., in press). Although the eradication out by private or public entities in Spain. Two of the of Ae. albopictus would not be a realistic goal, we also five Mosquito Control Services (SCM) that are active should intensify and improve the control operations in Spain have detected Ae. albopictus in their working in order to limit its dispersion toward the Iberian areas. These SCM, together with various public Peninsula (Eritja et al., 2005. Op. cit.; Bueno Marí et research centers, are currently working intensely in al., 2009b. Op. cit.). distribution and spreading assessment as well as in the management and advice of satisfactory control ACKNOWLEDGMENTS measures against the Asian tiger mosquito (Roiz et al., 2008. J. Med. Entomol., 45: 347-352; Eritja, 2009. This article was partially funded by Research Abstracts book of the 5th European Mosquito Control Project CGL 2009-11364 (BOS), supported by Association Workshop, pp: 88-89; Bueno Marí et al., the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain 2009b. Rev. Esp. Salud Pública, 83: 201-214). (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España).

140 Bol. Mal. Salud Amb. Bueno Marí R. & Jiménez Peydró R.

Table I. Confirmed records of Aedes albopictus in Spain (Tabla I. Capturas confirmadas de Aedes albopictus en España). Record year Location Coordinates Latitude / Longitude First report 2004 Sant Cugat del Vallès 41°28’18.7’’ N; 2°04’55.7 ‘’E Aranda et al. (2006) 2004 Cerdanyola del Vallès 41°29’34.7’’ N; 2°07’23.2 ‘’E Roiz et al. (2007) 2005 41°24’50.1’’ N; 2°00’57.0’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2005 41°26’20.2’’ N; 2°00’38.4’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2005 41°23’16.5’’ N; 2°10’11.7’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2005 Sant Quirze del Vallès 41°30’01.3’’ N; 2°04’43.9’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2005 Barberà del Vallès 41°30’57.4’’ N; 2°07’29.0’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2005 Orihuela 37°58’40.8’’ N; 0°45’17.3’’ W Roiz et al. (2007) 2005 Rubí 41°29’32.4’’ N; 2°01’52.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2005 41°29’50.4’’ N; 2°09’20.4’’ E GCAT (2008) 2005 41°33’39.4’’ N; 2°00’37.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2005 Altafulla 41°08’33.8’’ N; 1°22’23.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2006 Gavà 41°18’11.4’’ N; 2°00’11.5’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2006 41°16’49.4’’ N; 1°58’36.3’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2006 Hospitalet de Llobregat 41°21’34.5’’ N; 2°05’58.9’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2006 41°22’51.3’’ N; 2°02’42.6’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2006 Pallejà 41°25’25.4’’ N; 1°59’48.1’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2006 41°22’39.0’’ N; 2°05’17.1’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2006 41°23’08.7’’ N; 2°04’31.9’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2006 41°23’19.3’’ N; 1°55’56.1’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2006 41°14’05.2’’ N; 1°48’40.4’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2006 Vilanova i la Geltrú 41°13’26.9’’ N; 1°43’32.0’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2006 41°28’28.8’’ N; 1°58’53.0’’ E Roiz et al. (2007) 2006 Badia del Vallés 41°30’31.3’’ N; 2°06’53.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2006 Caldes d´ Estrac 41°34’10.0’’ N; 2°31’34.7’’ E GCAT (2008) 2006 Santa Perpètua de Mogoda 41°32’05.5’’ N; 2°10’44.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2006 41°28’56.3’’ N; 2°11’18.6’’ E GCAT (2008) 2006 Polinyà 41°33’27.0’’ N; 2°09’22.4’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°24’25.6’’ N; 1°51’40.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°26’49.8’’ N; 1°58’33.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°18’57.6’’ N; 2°01’12.7’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°19’49.7’’ N; 2°05’35.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Castellví de Rosanes 41°27’01.3’’ N; 1°53’58.1’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Sant Joan Despí 41°22’03.6’’ N; 2°03’21.8’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 La Palma de Cervelló 41°24’47.9’’ N; 1°58’01.7’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Cervelló 41°23’46.1’’ N; 1°57’27.4’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°28’24.7’’ N; 1°55’39.7’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°20’50.5’’ N; 2°02’35.1’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Cornellà de Llobregat 41°21’02.2’’ N; 2°04’13.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°30’57.9’’ N; 1°54’07.7’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Santa Coloma de Cervelló 41°22’00.6’’ N; 2°00’54.3’’ E GCAT (2008) Continue...

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2007 41°32’20.0’’ N; 1°52’14.4’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Sant Adrià de Besos 41°25’50.1’’ N; 2°13’05.6’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°27’03.8’’ N; 2°12’32.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°27’00.4’’ N; 2°14’50.7’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°12’30.0’’ N; 1°40’22.1’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°34’46.0’’ N; 2°33’05.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Masnou 41°28’45.5’’ N; 2°19’09.2’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°35’20.2’’ N; 2°34’54.9’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°27’59.2’’ N; 2°16’44.7’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 41°32’55.0’’ N; 2°06’26.7’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Ullastrell 41°31’37.4’’ N; 1°57’24.9’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Castellar del Vallés 41°36’58.2’’ N; 2°05’08.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Palau-Solità i Plegamans 41°35’19.0’’ N; 2°10’45.2’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Mollet Del Vallés 41°32’25.8’’ N; 2°12’48.7’’ E GCAT (2008) 2007 Sant Fost de Campsentelles 41°30’52.2’’ N; 2°14’05.2’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Sant Vicenç de Castellet 41°39’56.8’’ N; 1°51’49.8’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Sant Vicenç dels Horts 41°23’37.0’’ N; 2°00’35.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 41°21’14.0’’ N; 1°58’35.9’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 41°29’40.3’’ N; 1°52’22.0’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Calafell 41°12’02.0’’ N; 1°34’06.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 El Vendrell 41°13’13.5’’ N; 1°32’05.4’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 41°15’32.7’’ N; 1°46’31.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Lloret de Mar 41°41’55.6’’ N; 2°50’51.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Blanes 41°40’27.3’’ N; 2°47’31.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Tossa de Mar 41°43’12.6’’ N; 2°55’55.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Vidreres 41°47’24.9’’ N; 2°46’48.0’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Maçanet de la Selva 41°46’37.3’’ N; 2°43’57.4’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Tiana 41°28’59.6’’ N; 2°16’08.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 41°31’00.0’’ N; 2°21’30.7’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Lliçà d’Amunt 41°36’31.1’’ N; 2°14’21.9’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 41°36’48.2’’ N; 2°39’26.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Sant Cebrià de Vallalta 41°37’11.1’’ N; 2°36’01.1’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 41°17’13.4’’ N; 1°43’17.6’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 41°42’07.4’’ N; 2°43’08.4’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Premià de Mar 41°29’22.4’’ N; 2°21’23.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Teià 41°29’58.8’’ N; 2°19’14.2’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Premià de Dalt 41°30’23.5’’ N; 2°20’35.0’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 41°33’19.9’’ N; 2°24’02.0’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Sant Andreu de Llavaneres 41°34’20.5’’ N; 2°28’56.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Sant Vicenç de Montalt 41°34’57.4’’ N; 2°30’35.7’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Maials 41°21’50.0’’ N; 0°30’29.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Torredembarra 41°08’40.2’’ N; 1°23’49.5’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 Tarragona 41°07’08.4’’ N; 1°14’43.6’’ E GCAT (2008) Continue...

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2008 41°36’29.5’’ N; 2°17’16.4’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 41°36’22.5’’ N; 1°55’08.9’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 41°38’17.3’’ N; 2°21’16.1’’ E GCAT (2008) 2008 41°31’32.7’’ N; 2°14’34.3’’ E GCAT (2008) 2009 Torrevieja 37°58’38.8’’ N; 0°40’59.6’’ W Bueno Marí et al. (2009a)

Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894): situación geo-referenciados. Las implicaciones negativas del actual y registros de una importante especie establecimiento y expansión de esta especie para la de mosquito invasora en España salud pública, así como las principales directrices nacionales y europeas en la lucha contra este vector RESÚMEN son también discutidas.

Desde la primigenia detección de Aedes Palabras clave: Aedes albopictus, arbovirus, control albopictus (Skuse, 1894) en España, la expansión de de vectores, especies invasoras, salud pública, España. esta especie de mosquito (Diptera, Culicidae) ha sido constante a través del este de la Península Ibérica. En el presente trabajo se reportan por primera vez todos Recibido el 26/02/2010 los hallazgos de la especie en España debidamente Aceptado el 09/05/2010

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