Surveillance and Control of Aedes Albopictus (diptera: Culicidae) in Switzerland

In 2003 the invasive Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus arrived in Southern Switzerland for the first time. It has since then been continuously surveyed and controlled using ovitraps for monitoring alongside targeted applications of larvicides (Bti and diflubenzuron) and larval source reduction. Until recently the focus of activities was on surveillance and control in the Canton of Ticino (Southern Switzerland) and less attention was drawn on its potential introduction to the northern parts of the country. As this mosquito has been reported from neighbouring Southern Germany and Northern France we examined whether A. albopictus is also being introduced north of the Alps. Here, mosquitoes were monitored by ovitraps placed along motorways, ports and major airports across Switzerland. Collected mosquito eggs were identified using recently developed protein profiling methodology. This study shows that A. albopictus is occasionally introduced to Switzerland even north of the Alps along motorways though the results suggest no firm establishment of the mosquito in those areas.