Aedes caspius

Aedes caspius
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Family:	Culicidae
Genus:	Aedes
Subgenus:	Ochlerotatus
Species:	A. caspius
Binomial name
	Aedes caspius; (Pallas, 1771)
Synonyms
	Culex caspius (Pallas, 1771); Ochlerotatus caspius (Pallas, 1771)

Aedes caspius is a species of mosquito widely distributed across Europe and the Middle East, particularly in coastal regions and salt marsh habitats. Known for its aggressive biting behavior both day and night, this species is a significant Disease vector for diseases such as myxoma virus, Rift Valley fever virus, and West Nile virus. Unlike some other Aedes species, it is not a vector for Zika virus. Its prevalence in marshy and agricultural areas makes it a notable nuisance and public health concern in its range.

Description

Aedes caspius is a medium-sized mosquito with distinctive morphological features:

Adult female:

Thorax: Covered with golden scales and narrow dorsocentral lines of white scales.

Abdomen: Features a median pale stripe or is entirely pale-scaled.

Wings: Speckled with dark and pale scales; the costa is predominantly dark-scaled.

Legs: Tarsomeres III1–4 exhibit basal and apical pale bands.

Larva:

Head: Antenna uniformly spiculate, with seta 1-A branching 3–12 times.

Terminal segments: 18–28 comb scales arranged in a triangular patch.

Siphon: Multi-branched 1-S with a pecten of approximately 20 spines.^[1]

These traits distinguish Aedes caspius from closely related species.

Distribution

Aedes caspius is found across Europe and the Middle East, thriving in coastal and salt marsh environments. It is prevalent in countries including France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Iran. In France, it is particularly abundant in the Camargue region, where it poses a significant nuisance. The species also inhabits freshwater marshes and agricultural areas, such as rice fields, extending its range into diverse habitats.^[2]^[3]

Behavior

Aedes caspius is a floodwater mosquito, with eggs that hatch following inundation. It is an aggressive biter, active both day and night, indoors and outdoors, often in shaded areas. In the Camargue region, it is recognized for its intense biting activity.^[3] Some populations exhibit autogeny, allowing females to lay an initial batch of eggs without a blood meal, enhancing their reproductive flexibility.

Ecology

This species breeds in diverse habitats, including coastal zones, saline and freshwater marshes, and agricultural fields like rice paddies. Its eggs, laid in flood-prone areas, can withstand desiccation and hatch when submerged. Aedes caspius produces multiple generations annually, contributing to its abundance in favorable conditions.^[3]

Medical significance

Aedes caspius transmits several pathogens of medical and veterinary importance:

Myxoma virus: Spreads myxomatosis to rabbits, notably documented in the Camargue.^[4]
Rift Valley fever virus: Capable of transmission, especially in Mediterranean regions.^[5]
West Nile virus: A confirmed vector in areas like Iran and Italy.^[6]
Zika virus: Not a competent vector, as shown in Spanish studies.^[7]

Its role in disease transmission varies by region, making it a key focus for public health monitoring.

Control measures

Effective management of Aedes caspius includes:

Breeding site reduction: Eliminating standing water in coastal and marshy areas.
Insecticides: Applying larvicides and adulticides, balanced with environmental considerations.
Personal protection: Using repellents, netting, and clothing to minimize bites.
Surveillance: Monitoring by agencies like the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to track distribution and inform control strategies.^[2]

These efforts are critical to reducing its impact on human and animal health.

References

^ "Aedes caspius". Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
^ ^a ^b "Aedes caspius - current known distribution: October 2023". European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Aedes caspius". EID Méditerranée. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
^ Sellers, R. F. (February 1987). "Possible windborne spread of myxomatosis to England in 1953". Epidemiology and Infection. 98 (1): 119–125. doi:10.1017/S0950268800061793. ISSN 0950-2688. PMC 2235278. PMID 2881798.
^ Drouin, Alex; Chevalier, Véronique; Durand, Benoit; Balenghien, Thomas (2022-04-23). "Vector Competence of Mediterranean Mosquitoes for Rift Valley Fever Virus: A Meta-Analysis". Pathogens. 11 (5): 503. doi:10.3390/pathogens11050503. ISSN 2076-0817. PMC 9146998. PMID 35631024.
^ Doosti, S; Yaghoobi-Ershadi, Mr; Sedaghat, Mm; Moosa-Kazemi, Sh; Akbarzadeh, K; Hashemi-Aghdam, Ss (2018-02-28). "Genetic Population Diversity of Aedes caspius in Southern Provinces of Iran". Bulletin de la société de pathologie exotique. 111 (1): 31–37. doi:10.3166/bspe-2018-0011 (inactive 23 April 2025). ISSN 0037-9085. PMID 30763508.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of April 2025 (link)
^ Gutiérrez-López, Rafael; Bialosuknia, Sean M.; Ciota, Alexander T.; Montalvo, Tomás; Martínez-de la Puente, Josue; Gangoso, Laura; Figuerola, Jordi; Kramer, Laura D. (February 2019). "Vector Competence of Aedes caspius and Ae. albopictus Mosquitoes for Zika Virus, Spain". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 25 (2): 346–348. doi:10.3201/eid2502.171123. ISSN 1080-6040. PMC 6346449. PMID 30666939.