Alien and potentially invasive mosquito species are potential vectors of a variety of pathogens and therefore pose a threat to public health. This project enables new populations of these species to be recognised at an early stage, allowing countermeasures to be taken in good time and the development of existing populations to be monitored. Furthermore, the standardised method used throughout Austria means that the data obtained can be used to record spatial and temporal changes in the occurrence of alien mosquito species.
The distribution of the tiger mosquito(Ae. albopictus) in Austria in 2023 was similar to the previous year. This species is already established, particularly in parts of Vienna and Graz, where it occurs in large numbers. In the greater Linz area, the number of findings is currently still relatively low (compared to Vienna and Graz), but since tiger mosquitoes have already been found repeatedly since 2021 (especially in the Keferfeld district), there is a high risk that tiger mosquitoes will become even more common here and spread even further. As can (also) be seen from the Mosquito Alert data, the spatial spread of tiger mosquitoes in these three cities has increased compared to 2022. It is therefore strongly recommended that intensive monitoring and countermeasures involving the population take place in these areas in order to try to decimate the population and prevent or at least slow down further spread.
At locations where the tiger mosquito has only occurred sporadically to date, care should be taken to ensure that these locations continue to be monitored. In addition, action plans to combat this species should be drawn up in advance so that if the tiger mosquito is repeatedly found, it can be combated quickly. The frequent findings at motorway service stations confirm the relevance of the spread via road traffic. In order to prevent further spread from these motorway service areas, care must be taken to ensure that the Asian tiger mosquito does not find any possible breeding grounds.
The Japanese bush mosquito(Ae. japonicus) can now be found in all of Austria's federal states and is particularly widespread in the south. This species will no longer be eradicated in Austria.
The Korean bush mosquito(Ae. koreicus) has so far only been found sporadically, but due to its very similar climatic requirements, this species will probably continue to spread in Austria.