Spatial distribution of Culex mosquitoes across England and Wales, July 2023
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Background
With medically important arboviruses such as West Nile virus (WNV) circulating in Europe and Usutu virus (USUV) currently present in the UK, it is imperative to identify areas in the UK at risk of establishment and spread of these viruses. Here, we describe a comprehensive nationwide field surveillance study conducted during July 2023 to map the distribution of the WNV and USUV competent vectors: Culex pipiens biotype pipiens , Culex pipiens biotype molestus , and Culex torrentium , across England and Wales.
Methods
Mosquitoes were sampled for 3 trap nights (3TN) at two hundred sites in rural, urban and suburban settings, selected using a lattice plus close pairs surveillance design. Field caught samples were analysed using morphological and molecular approaches.
Results
A total of 2,157 adult mosquitoes of the Culex genus were collected. Culex pipiens biotype pipiens dominated the resident Culex populations, comprising 1,478 (95.8%) out of 1,543 mosquitoes with confirmed molecular species identity. Culex torrentium were present in much lower numbers, with only 38 (2.5%) identified. Only five of the biotype molestus (0.3%) were identified in this study, however these were found in localities outside of London and in a rural location, with the biotype previously having been associated with human-made habitats. This study also found that hybrids of the pipiens and molestus biotypes are more widespread than previously recorded. In total, 22 hybrids (1.4%) were identified from counties as far west as Cornwall and as far north as Suffolk.
Conclusions
Coupled with reviews of previous UK Culex sp. surveys, this study provides essential data for risk modelling of WNV and USUV, furthering the UK’s preparedness for incursions of vector-borne diseases in the future.
