Correction to: Emergence of the invasive Asian bush mosquito, Aedes (Finlaya) japonicus japonicus, in an urban area, Romania

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Asian Bush Mosquito, Asian Rock Pool Mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Contents: Introduction - Synonymy - Distribution - Life Cycle - Medical Importance - Surveillance and Management - Selected References Also published on the Featured Creatures website at http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/AQUATIC/aedes_japonicus.html

Emergence of the invasive Asian bush mosquito, Aedes (Finlaya) japonicus japonicus, in an urban area, Romania

Background A study conducted at the International Airport of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, with the aim of investigating the presence/absence of invasive Aedes mosquito species resulted in finding Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald 1901) eggs in one of the ovitraps placed on site. Methods The study was carried out between 30 June and 29 September 2020. On 24 August, 26 eggs were collected and later hatched at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca’s insectary. On 15 October another adult female Ae. japonicus was caught entering a building in the center of the city, about 7 km from the first sampling spot. Results The mosquitoes were identified morphologically and confirmed by molecular analysis, based on the genetic analysis of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI). Conclusion This is the first report of the species in Romania, highlighting the need for surveillance and implemented control methods. However, in Romania to our knowledge only Aedes albopictus has been established; further studies are required to learn about this new invasive species' status in Romania.

Population genetic structure of the Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus (Diptera, Culicidae), in Belgium suggests multiple introductions

Background Aedes japonicus japonicus has expanded beyond its native range and has established in multiple European countries, including Belgium. In addition to the population located at Natoye, Belgium, locally established since 2002, specimens were recently collected along the Belgian border. The first objective of this study was therefore to investigate the origin of these new introductions, which were assumed to be related to the expansion of the nearby population in western Germany. Also, an intensive elimination campaign was undertaken at Natoye between 2012 and 2015, after which the species was declared to be eradicated. This species was re-detected in 2017, and thus the second objective was to investigate if these specimens resulted from a new introduction event and/or from a few undetected specimens that escaped the elimination campaign. Methods Population genetic variation at nad4 and seven microsatellite loci was surveyed in 224 and 68 specimens collected in Belgium and Germany, respectively. German samples were included as reference to investigate putative introduction source(s). At Natoye, 52 and 135 specimens were collected before and after the elimination campaign, respectively, to investigate temporal changes in the genetic composition and diversity. Results At Natoye, the genotypic microsatellite make-up showed a clear difference before and after the elimination campaign. Also, the population after 2017 displayed an increased allelic richness and number of private alleles, indicative of new introduction(s). However, the Natoye population present before the elimination programme is believed to have survived at low density. At the Belgian border, clustering results suggest a relation with the western German population. Whether the introduction(s) occur via passive human-mediated ground transport or, alternatively, by natural spread cannot be determined yet from the dataset. Conclusion Further introductions within Belgium are expected to occur in the near future, especially along the eastern Belgian border, which is at the front of the invasion of Ae. japonicus towards the west. Our results also point to the complexity of controlling invasive species, since 4 years of intense control measures were found to be not completely successful at eliminating this exotic at Natoye.

Field Observations of Invasive Species Aedes japonicus and Larval Contemporaries in Escambia County, Florida

ABSTRACT The Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus, is an invasive species that is well established in North America and Europe. Though it is considered a temperate species, we have observed an established population of Ae. japonicus in the subtropical climate of northwestern Florida. To evaluate the temporal patterns of Ae. japonicus abundance, mosquito larvae were collected from 15 artificial containers in Escambia County, FL, from August 2019 to July 2020, with the prediction that Ae. japonicus abundance would peak in the winter months and decline with increasing ambient temperatures. Aedes japonicus larvae were collected in low abundances during each month except for February (n = 51), with no clear temporal patterns of abundance. Larval contemporaries belonging to other species were considered in sampling of containers and were also cataloged. We demonstrate monthly observance of this temperate species at a single site in the Florida panhandle, exemplifying the persistence of Ae. japonicus through all seasons in a subtropical climate.