Beyond frontiers: On invasive alien mosquito species in America and Europe

About the Authors: André B. B. Wilke * E-mail: axb1737@med.miami.edu Affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America ORCID logo http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6629-7666 Giovanni Benelli Affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto, Pisa, Italy ORCID logo http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8971-6010 John C. Beier Affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America ORCID logo http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0095-4130 Citation: Wilke ABB, Benelli G, Beier JC (2020) Beyond frontiers: Invasive mosquitoes of epidemiological importance, such as Aedes aegypti (L.), A. albopictus (Skuse), and Culex quinquefasciatus Say, are more likely to adapt and thrive in urban environments in low-latitude parts of the world in comparison with native species [3,4]. [...]invasive species often benefit from biotic homogenization processes and from the reduction in overall biodiversity by being able to increase their range and abundance in the process [3,5–7]. [...]it is currently unknown what mechanisms are employed by invasive mosquito species to disperse, establish, and thrive in urban environments. [...]environmental and physiological features that trigger and support mosquito dispersal are also yet to be identified. Suggested framework for future research on the development of control strategies to prevent the invasion, establishment, and colonization of new areas by alien mosquito vectors * Development of basic information on how and why invasive vector species are becoming locally abundant in urban habitats. * Development of profiles of basic ecology and behavior for new and neglected invasive mosquito species to clarify their potential importance as vectors. * Increase in awareness about the potential presence of invasive mosquito species to avoid their underestimation or even failure in detecting them due to misidentification of specimens or surveillance strategies disregarding their habitats. * Assessment of current and future risks to determine if some invasive species should be considered a higher priority for vector control operations.