Common name Asian bush, rock pool mosquito Family Culicidae Subfamily Culicinae Aedes japonicus Synonyms Ochlerotatus japonicus Hulecoeteomyia japonica Aedes japonicus Morphological description / Adults are relatively © WRBU large and show a dark MediLabSecure Aedes japonicus has become the third invasive mosquito species to be reported in and light pattern due to Europe after Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. Its geographical expansion has the presence of white scale patches on a black been facilitated by human activities, such as the international trade in used tyres background on the legs and a high overwintering survival (diapause). Its distribution in central Europe is also and other parts of the body. expanding. Ae. japonicus colonises urbanised environments and females are active during the day, increasing the potential contact this species could have with humans. This presence of several lines of species has shown vector competence for dengue and chikungunya viruses, both of yellowish scales on a dark/ brown background on the which have been recently reported in Europe. Abdominal tergite with lateral and scutum median pale basal patches, that do not form complete basal bands. Distribution around the Mediterranean Basin / Originated from Asia, Aedes japonicus Body length / 6 mm japonicus has spread throughout North Longevity as a biting insect / 3 weeks America and later into central Europe. He Biting behaviour / Adults are often found in forested areas. Active during the was first reported in Europe in France in daytime and crepuscular hours. This species is an aggressive biter and will 2000 where it was eliminated, and has readily bite humans outside and occasionally inside houses. since been reported in several central Europe countries (Belgium, Switzerland, Habitats / Ae. japonicus prefers shady rock holes but can develop in a large range Germania, Austria, Croatia, the of both natural and artificial aquatic container habitats including tree holes, tyres, Netherlands, etc.), showing evidence of its bird baths, and all breeding sites rich in organic matter. establishment and continuing range. Current known distribution of Ae. japonicus - April 2017 / VectorNet Host preference / This species preferentially feeds on mammalian hosts, including humans. Vector surveillance / Transmission / Easily confused species European map available by ECDC/VectorNet. Potential vector of: presence of specific patterns of black and Vector control / West Nile virus (in field) dark scutum covered a complete basal band with blackish brown and white scales on the scutum > Source reduction: elimination of stagnant water that is Japanese encephalitis on hindtarsomeres 4 & 5 distinct silver-white propitious for larvae virus (in field) Chikungunya virus (in lab) © IRD > Spraying of chemical or organic pesticides © WRBU Dengue virus (in lab) > Use of repellents to reduce bites Ae. koreicus Rift Valley fever (in lab) Yellow Fever virus (in lab) Ae. japonicus References, tools / Aedes koreicus Subgenus Stegomyia ECDC Factsheet Aedes japonicus: https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/disease-vectors/facts/mosquito- Aedes albopictus, Aedes cretinus, Aedes aegypti factsheets/aedes-japonicus www.medilabsecure.com.