What Mosquitoes Are in the UK?

Wouter

During the last few years, the UK has experienced a rise in complaints about mosquitoes. The mosquito population has increased by at least 2.5 times in the last 15 years.

There are over 30 native species of mosquito in the UK. Some of these species are beneficial, while others are considered a nuisance. There are also five non-native species in the UK. These include Aedes albopictus, known as the Asian tiger mosquito, which transmits dengue and chikungunya diseases. Other species include Culex molestus, which bites but does not carry diseases.

There are also ticks, which can carry Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever, and Lyme disease. The British Pest Control Association says that the wet weather over the last few months has provided an environment that is suitable for these insects. They also urge the public to keep mosquito-free environments.

While the UK does not currently have a mosquito-driven outbreak of an exotic disease, there are concerns that the introduction of new species could spark new clusters of diseases across Europe. These diseases can be transferred to humans by travellers returning from malaria-stricken areas.

The Asian tiger mosquito was first imported into Europe in the 1970s. It is a small black and white daytime biting insect. Its ability to adapt to new environments has made it a threat to health. It has spread to southern Europe. Its eggs and larvae have been found in two UK sites in recent years.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been focusing its summer surveillance efforts on the Thames estuary for the last 12 years. It has detected Culex modestus, also known as the bridge vector, in some parts of Essex. This mosquito is found in narrow shallow ditches across the Thames estuary.

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