Anna Karolina Eriksson/TT
The Asian tiger mosquito has been found in Sweden for the first time.
The eggs were found in plants brought by tourists from Spain.
– The northernmost find in the world, says mosquito expert Anders Lindström at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (SVA).
On returning home, the returning tourists put their two plants in water – then eggs hatched which turned into larvae – and mosquitoes, explains Anders Lindström, who followed the process.
– They themselves saw this, they had put the plant in a glass pot.
The case ended up with the SVA after the alarm from the home-returners.
Most invasive
The returnees were concerned that something might have come with them, explains Lindström. And very true – the eggs actually belonged to the tiger mosquito species, which has so far been confirmed and discovered a little way up in Germany.
It can spread viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and zika.
The mosquito was discovered for the first time in Europe in 1979, and is considered the most invasive mosquito species of all. However, this current introduced tiger mosquito has been rendered harmless, and will not spread further in Sweden, confirms Lindström.
– Even if they hadn’t been discovered, I think it’s too late in the year to spread. It’s getting too cold. But if they had been here in May, they might have been able to build up a population during the summer, with eggs that managed to overwinter.
Took the flight
The invasive mosquitoes are often spread by road transport, and are therefore usually discovered in southern Sweden first. This time, however, the mosquitoes took flight – and according to Lindström, it is only a matter of time before the species establishes itself in Sweden.
– The further north, the slower the spread seems to be. I don’t think we need to be super worried – but as we’ve said all these years: It will come.
What problems does the tiger mosquito cause in southern Europe?
– Above all, it is a discomfort. You get mosquitoes in the cities in a way that you are not used to. Then you have local outbreaks of tropical diseases, so it causes problems.
FACT The tiger mosquito
The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus was found in Europe for the first time in 1979.
It is considered the most invasive mosquito species.
The mosquito has spread to temperate and tropical areas throughout the world.
Now it is found all the way up in Germany.
Once established, it continues to spread using truck transport and camping transport.
Source: SVA
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