Researchers detected a new invasive mosquito species in Florida. Said mosquito was identified as Aedes scapularis.
Entomologist and researcher Lawrence Reeves from the University of Florida identified them among the mosquitoes he collected in 2019 near Everglades National Park.
According to an npr report, Reeves said it is easy to collect mosquitoes through the use of traps drawn with dry ice.
The said traps are emitting carbon dioxide, emulating the smells that attract mosquitoes to humans and other mammals. Reeves then sifts through hundreds, and at times, thousands of mosquitoes.
The researcher and entomologist also said that they looked into the species under a microscope and a sort of, one by one, sifted through them with forceps.
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Researchers discovered new invasive mosquito species in Florida
Aedes Scapularis Species Confirmed in Other Countries
The DNA analysis confirmed that the invasive mosquito species detected were Aedes scapularis. In follow-up research last year, Reeves discovered that the species is well-established in two counties in South Florida.
These counties specifically include Miami-Dade and Broward. Up until now, the mosquitoes have been detected mostly in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Specifically in Brazil, said Reeves, the species have been discovered to be carrier of a range of diseases like the Venezuelan engine encephalitis virus, yellow fever virus, and several other infections.
It has been more than 100 years since there was an outbreak of yellow fever virus in the United States. Nonetheless, it is unclear if Aedes scapularis mosquitoes transmit the disease.
As Zika outbreaks, as well as dengue, have both appeared in Florida, new mosquitoes can carry new diseases.
Factors Affecting Spread of the Mosquito Species
A new research co-authored by Reeves with entomologist Lindsay Campbell from the University of Florida proposes that the mosquitoes may now transmit north along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of Florida.
There are other things about this new invasive mosquito species that are worrisome. It is said to be a mosquito that likes to go indoors and feeds both on birds and people.
According to Campbell, if one ends up with a species that's capable of transferring the infection between animals and humans, that's the main condition for a spillover occurrence.
Scientists believe that COVID-19 infection is the result of a spillover occurrence which involves bats or any other animal species.
Other factors like climate change, international travel and global trade all contribute to the transmission of invasive mosquito species.
Nonnative Mosquito Species
Reeves explained, 10 new species of nonnative mosquitoes have been detected in Florida since 2000. And, the expert elaborated, more are on the way.
He added, there is one specifically, at present, that many people worry about Aedes vittatus which originated from India. This mosquito is a kind of vector for pretty much everything people are worried about including Zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses.
Additionally, Aedes vittatus mosquitoes have now been discovered in Cuba, just 90 miles away from Florida.
Incidentally, also in this state, the New York Post reported that, in July 2020, an 11th dengue case was confirmed in the Florida Keys by the Florida Department of Health.
A related report is seen on WPLG Local 10's YouTube video below:
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