Biting Midges on a Break: Climate Change and Asian Tiger Mosquitoes
Mosquito activity temporarily diminishes due to drought conditions, though a resurgence is predicted during summer months.
You'd think the drought due to global warming would be a bad thing, right? Maybe not for everyone. Mosquito larvae are finding it difficult to survive in this harsh climate, resulting in fewer biting midges this spring. But don't celebrate just yet, the experts say this relief might not last until summer.
The Asian tiger mosquito is a particular concern. Experts like Renke Lühken from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg are keeping a close eye on it. "Due to the severe drought, there are fewer breeding sites, resulting in fewer biting midges," explains Lühken. Many wetlands, the usual breeding ground for midges in the spring, are dried up. Similarly, artificial breeding waters like rain barrels have run out too, meaning fewer midges in gardens.
But don't breathe a sigh of relief just yet, as Lühken points out, "This dry spring doesn't guarantee fewer bites in the summer. During the summer, conditions like heavy rain, which flood flood midge eggs, can cause midge plagues."
The Asian Tiger Mosquito: A Must-Watch
First appearing in South Germany a decade ago, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is spreading rapidly across the country. Lühken explains, "This species has already established itself in southern Germany for almost ten years, with the northernmost population being Berlin. It's spreading further and it's likely that it will lead to the transmission of diseases we typically associate with the tropics in Germany in the future."
This mosquito is smaller than a one-cent coin, has a black body, a distinctive white pattern, five white rings on the hind legs, and a white longitudinal stripe on the front back. If you come across one, catch it without crushing it, freeze it overnight, and send it to the relevant authorities in a small container as soon as possible. The German Environment Agency warns that this mosquito can transmit West Nile, dengue, and Zika viruses in affected regions.
Sources: ntv.de, as/dpa
- Asian Tiger Mosquito
- Climate Change
- Drought
- Parasites
- Global Warming
Enrichment Data:
The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is spreading rapidly across the European continent, thanks in no small part to rising temperatures and changing weather patterns caused by climate change. This mosquito, native to Southeast Asia, has been found in hundreds of regions across Europe, including areas as far north as South Tyrol near Germany, where serious efforts to control its population are underway.
Experts warn that this development significantly increases the risk of transmission and outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile, dengue, and Zika, which were historically tropical and subtropical, in Germany. Enhanced vector control programs, using climate data to optimize mosquito control timing, and strengthened epidemiological surveillance, early warning systems, and public education, are essential to mitigate this growing threat.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive to address the rapid spread of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) across Germany, as changes in climate due to global warming are contributing to its expansion in Europe. In the realm of science and health-and-wellness, climate-change induced drought has created fewer breeding sites for biting midges, but this temporary relief may not prevent a midge plague during heavy summer rain. To maintain monitoring efforts, environmental-science experts like Renke Lühken from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine advise sending any captured Asian tiger mosquitoes to relevant authorities for testing.
