Aedes cinereus Last updated August 28, 2025 Species of mosquito
Aedes cinereus minute floodwater mosquito [ 1] is a species of mosquito in the genus Aedes , known for its wide distribution across North America and Europe . This species is notable for its aggressive biting behavior and its role as a vector for certain diseases, including Ockelbo virus .
Distribution Aedes cinereus has a broad geographic range spanning North America and Europe:
North America : It is widespread across Canada (e.g., Ontario , Quebec , British Columbia ) and extends into Alaska and the northern United States , including states like Minnesota , Wisconsin , and Michigan . It is less common in arid southern regions. [ 2] Europe : The species is found in countries such as Belgium , Estonia , Germany , Ireland , the Netherlands , Norway , Sweden , Finland , Russia , and the United Kingdom , with a notable presence in northern Europe. [ 3] Its distribution is closely associated with wetland environments, where it thrives in semi-permanent water bodies.
Feeding habits Aedes cinereus feeds opportunistically on humans, birds, and mammals, contributing to its role as a disease vector. [ 4]
Activity patterns It is most active during dawn and dusk but can bite throughout the day in shaded areas. [ 2]
Habitat Aedes cinereus prefers wetland habitats, including:
Semi-permanent bogs and swamps. Temporary floodwater areas with dense vegetation (e.g., cattails, sedges). Woodland pools and marshes. [ 2] It can also breed in artificial containers, demonstrating adaptability to urban settings. [ 5]
Medical importance Aedes cinereus is a vector for several arboviruses:
Its ability to feed on both avian and mammalian hosts makes it a bridge vector in disease transmission.
Control measures Effective management includes:
Habitat Reduction : Eliminating standing water in breeding sites.Larvicides : Targeting larvae in aquatic habitats.Adulticides : Controlling adult populations with insecticides.Integrated Pest Management (IPM) : Combining biological controls (e.g., predators) and environmental strategies. [ 7] These measures are critical in regions where it transmits diseases like Ockelbo virus.
Ecological role Aedes cinereus contributes to ecosystems as:
Prey for birds, bats, and aquatic insects. A competitor with other mosquito species, influencing local population dynamics. A potential modulator of disease spread, with ongoing research into its interaction with viruses like Lammi virus. [ 8] References ↑ "Minute Floodwater Mosquito (Aedes cinereus)" . iNaturalist . Retrieved 2025-08-27 . 1 2 3 "Aedes cinereus " . Rutgers Center for Vector Biology . Retrieved 22 March 2025 . ↑ Global Biodiversity Information Facility (2023). "Aedes cinereus Meigen, 1818" . GBIF Backbone Taxonomy . doi :10.15468/39omei . Retrieved 22 March 2025 . 1 2 Turell, Michael J.; LundstrÖM, Jan O.; Niklasson, Bo (1990-05-01). "Transmission of Ockelbo Virus by Aedes cinereus, Ae, communis, and Ae. excrucians (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected in an Enzootic Area in Central Sweden" . Journal of Medical Entomology . 27 (3): 266– 268. doi :10.1093/jmedent/27.3.266 . ISSN 1938-2928 . ↑ "Mosquito Maps: Aedes cinereus " . European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control . Retrieved 22 March 2025 . ↑ Schneider, Elizabeth F.; Robich, Rebecca M.; Elias, Susan P.; Lubelczyk, Charles B.; Cosenza, Danielle S.; Smith, Robert P. (November 2022). "Jamestown Canyon Virus in Collected Mosquitoes, Maine, United States, 2017-2019" . Emerging Infectious Diseases . 28 (11): 2330– 2333. doi :10.3201/eid2811.212382 . ISSN 1080-6059 . PMC 9622264 . PMID 36286231 . ↑ "Vector Control Methods" . World Health Organization . Retrieved 22 March 2025 . ↑ Huhtamo, Eili; Putkuri, Niina; Kurkela, Satu; Manni, Tytti; Vaheri, Antti; Vapalahti, Olli; Uzcátegui, Nathalie Y. (2009-09-15). "Characterization of a Novel Flavivirus from Mosquitoes in Northern Europe That Is Related to Mosquito-Borne Flaviviruses of the Tropics" . Journal of Virology . 83 (18): 9532– 9540. doi :10.1128/jvi.00529-09 . PMC 2738272 . PMID 19570865 . This page is based on this
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