The Decreased Presence of Mosquitoes: A Temporary Relief, Not the End of Summer Woes
Summer's mosquito population is still low, but not yet a complete reprieve - Few mosquitoes spotted thus far - summer not flagged with a health alert yet
Let's cut to the chase: this spring, there's been a notable absence of those pesky mosquitoes in our neck of the woods. Renke Lühken from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg reveals the root cause - a severe drought that's left numerous mosquito breeding sites dry. As a result, few us have those itchy summer encounters we're used to.
The lack of moisture has also left many natural wetlands and artificial breeding waters, like our much-loved rain barrels, bone dry. Consequently, the mosquito population has dwindled in gardens as well.
But before you break out the summer clothes and bask in the joy of bug-free bliss, hold on just a minute...
The forthcoming summer respite doesn't guarantee an outright victory against mosquito invaders. According to Lühken, the dry spring season has no bearing on the mosquito situation in the sultry months ahead. So, brace yourself – you could still be on the receiving end of a mosquito-biting marathon in July and August.
Take, for instance, the so-called flood mosquitoes, whose eggs can endure drought for several years. If the heavens open up and unleash a torrential downpour, their eggs will be submerged, bringing forth new generations of bloodsucking pests.
While we're dealing with a lull in mosquito activity, the focus remains on the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes Albopictus), a tenacious species that has become established in some regions of Germany. Lühken explains that this mosquito has been firmly rooted in Southern Germany for almost a decade, with the northernmost population now in Berlin. This species is poised to spread further and could potentially transport tropical viruses to our shores in the not-so-distant future.
Berlin's health department is on the lookout for Asian tiger mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are described as smaller than a one-cent coin with 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 catch one of these critters alive, Lühken advises freezing it overnight and sending it to the authorities in a small container as soon as you can.
The Asian tiger mosquito is a known carrier of various diseases, like chikungunya, dengue fever, and Zika virus, although they are not currently rampant here in Germany. Nevertheless, the presence of these mosquitoes heightens the risk of future outbreaks among infected individuals or if our beloved mosquito pals bring the diseases into the country.
Mentioned in This Article:
- Mosquitoes: Insects that are infamous for their nuisance and ability to transmit diseases.
- Renke Lühken: An expert from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg.
- Carsten Pusch: A deputy state chairman of the Nature Conservation Association (NABU) in Schleswig-Holstein and an insect expert.
- Asian tiger mosquito(Aedes Albopictus)**: An invasive species that has been spreading in Germany since its first detection in 2007.
- Chikungunya, dengue fever, Zika virus: Tropical viruses transmitted by the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes Albopictus).
- Berlin: The German capital city where the Asian tiger mosquito has been detected.
In the midst of a temporary decrease in mosquitoes, it's important to consider the impending arrival of summer, as dry weather doesn't guarantee long-term protection against these pests. To combat the continuous threat, there's renewed emphasis on addressing the issue of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes Albopictus), particularly in Berlin, where this invasive species has been established for nearly a decade. This species, known to carry tropical diseases like chikungunya, dengue fever, and Zika virus, can potentially introduce these diseases to Germany if not controlled effectively.
