South Florida is apparently a new home to another new invasive mosquito species, the one that was last officially recorded and reported in the Florida Keys more than 70 years ago.
Phys.org reported, the Aedes scapularis has been verified in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. This was according to a newly published study in the Journal of Medical Entomology by Miami-Dade Mosquito Control Division, Broward Mosquito Control Section, and the University of Florida entomologist Lawrence Reeves.
A native of the Caribbean and South America, the mosquito species was discovered in 2020 in regularly observed traps in Florida City, as well as in Broward City.
Furthermore, Chalmers Vasquez, Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Research Director said, the species' identity was verified through DNA sequencing in 2020.
Very Aggressive Mosquito
Vasquez explained, the newly discovered species is "a very aggressive mosquito," similar to the aggressive biters found in Everglades.
That pest, he added, "the black salt marsh mosquito," can flock visitors at specific times of the year, particularly in Everglades National Park, the place large-scale mosquito control schemes like spraying for one, is not allowed.
While the species is considered a big biter, this mosquito may be more limited a threat compared to Aedes aegypti, the species that carries Zika and Dengue viruses, which is highly adjusted to urban areas. Essentially, the Aedes scapularis does not typically live in heavily populated area, explained Vasquez.
And, even though the species is famous for its ability to spread yellow fever, a "Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus," as well as other human pathogens found in its native range, no evidence is found that it's posturing any danger to health of humans or even animals in South Florida.
Such species, the expert explained, is not quite established yet and thus, they have not seen any occurrence of transmission of the disease.
However, he continued, they would keep an eye on it as they're doing with other mosquitoes living in the place.
More Than 300 Mosquito Traps Monitored
At present, Miami-Dade is monitoring over 300 mosquito traps installed throughout the country to study species and pervasiveness in various areas.
Health officials reported over 60 locally-transmitted West Nile virus cases in 2020 following heavy rains that resulted in the explosion of mosquito populations. The said virus is typically transferred by the so-called "southern house mosquito," as well as other Culex species.
The validation of this new bug that's said to be calling South Florida home is another reminder that Miami-Dade serves as a doorway for invasive species.
Researchers will now observe the distance the Aedes scapularis is likely to spread. The only other time it was verified in Florida was in the mid-1940s, when three larval specimens were collected specifically in in Florida Keys.
Reeves said, "the Florida Strait was likely a geographic barrier for the species," and now that it has crossed the barrier, Sedes scapularis could possibly spread further towards north and west to fill any infectious sites that are "environmentally suitable."
Out of the 16 established nonnative mosquitoes of Florida, 13 were first discovered in the state since the mid-1980s, and 10 were traced since 2000, Reeves explained.
"To speculate," he continued, "there is a possibility that new trends in climate, trade and, or, human movement are stimulating nonnative mosquitoes in Florida, and that their discovery of Aedes scapularis is part of this new trend."
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