The tiger mosquito in Lebanon two decades after its introduction: A growing health concern

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2022 Feb 9;16(2):e0010206. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010206. eCollection 2022 Feb.

Abstract

The tiger mosquito was introduced to the Eastern region of the Mediterranean basin more than twenty years ago. In Lebanon, it was first observed in 2002 in a limited number of locations mainly from the coastal area of the country. In the absence of national entomological control program, this invasive mosquito became an established species and is now considered in many localities, a source of nuisance because of its human biting behavior. Several entomological surveys were conducted to monitor the geographic spread and the seasonal dynamics of Aedes albopictus by collecting adult stages and by monitoring oviposition activity. Moreover, its susceptibility to the common groups of insecticides was assessed using WHO standard bioassays. Previous vector competence studies revealed that local strains were able to transmit Chikungunya and Dengue viruses. Due to the increased risk of Zika virus introduction in the country, we determined the competence of local populations to transmit this virus. Mapping results showed that Ae. albopictus is mainly spread in the relatively humid western versant of the Mount Lebanon chain reaching 1000m altitude, while it is absent from arid and semi-arid inland areas. Besides, this mosquito is active during 32 weeks from spring till the end of autumn. Local strains of the tiger mosquito are susceptible to pyrethroids and carbamates but resistant to organophosphates and organochlorines. They showed ability to transmit Zika virus; however, only 9% of females were capable to excrete the virus in their saliva at day 28 post infection. Current and previous observations highlight the need to establish a surveillance system in order to control this mosquito and monitor the potential introduction of related diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / drug effects
  • Aedes / physiology*
  • Aedes / virology
  • Animal Distribution
  • Animals
  • Dengue Virus / genetics
  • Dengue Virus / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Insecticides / pharmacology
  • Introduced Species / statistics & numerical data*
  • Lebanon
  • Male
  • Mosquito Vectors / drug effects
  • Mosquito Vectors / physiology*
  • Mosquito Vectors / virology
  • Pyrethrins / pharmacology
  • Saliva / virology
  • Seasons
  • Zika Virus / genetics
  • Zika Virus / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Insecticides
  • Pyrethrins

Grants and funding

This work received the financial support from the WHO-EMRO as part of the projects “Vector competence to Zika virus of mosquitoes in the Mediterranean region“ (A-BF, grant # WCCPRD5294814 2017/700731) and “Aedes albopictus in Lebanon: distribution mapping and seasonal dynamic” (NH, project # EMLEB1409860). This work was also supported by the French Government’s Investissement d’Avenir program, Laboratoire d’Excellence Integrative Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases (A-BF, grant ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.