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Tiger mosquitoes – that’s how dangerous the exotic bloodsuckers are in this country
Asian tiger mosquitoes are feared because they can transmit dangerous diseases such as dengue fever or Zika. The rising temperatures due to climate change are ensuring that the bloodsuckers are also spreading in Germany.
© DPA
The Asian tiger mosquito is spreading in Germany. It has already become particularly at home in southern Germany. Now she will also be hunted in Hamburg. We explain how you can recognize the animals – and why you shouldn’t kill them.
With climate change and rising temperatures, new insect species are increasingly spreading in Germany. One of them is the Asian tiger mosquito (Latin: Aedes albopictus). The first animals were spotted in southern Germany at the beginning of the 2010s. The exotic mosquitoes are now buzzing through Bavaria quite often. This was recently confirmed by the so-called “Mosquito monitoring” by the local health ministry. Tiger mosquitoes were actually caught in four of the six mosquito traps set up in the Free State, according to the ministry. In Fürth in Central Franconia, a population of the black and white striped mosquito has now even established itself. There, it is assumed that the animals will no longer be able to be eliminated – and are now focusing on containment. There have been isolated sightings in Würzburg, Munich and the districts of Kelheim, Erding, Ebersberg and Rosenheim.
The mosquito, which comes from Asia, is known and feared there as a carrier of serious infectious diseases such as dengue fever. The mosquito does not naturally carry such pathogens. But if it first bites a sick person, it can infect a healthy person with a subsequent bite. The tiger mosquitoes came and continue to come to Europe from Asia as stowaways in the cargo holds of airplanes and shipping containers. And then spread further in trucks, car tires or trains. Tiger mosquitoes are considered particularly adaptable – among other things, their eggs are resistant to drying out. Rising temperatures due to climate change are now allowing them to spread to other countries. The warmer winters in Central Europe in particular have a positive effect. And in unfavorable weather conditions, they benefit from the so-called diapause. This means that their eggs take a break in development in winter and the larvae do not hatch until spring.
Tiger mosquitoes only need small amounts of water to lay eggs
For the tiger mosquito, even a small amount of standing water, such as in vases, bird baths, but also branch holes or paddling pools, is sufficient for egg laying and larval development. Tiger mosquitoes develop from the black eggs, which are only half a millimeter in size, within about 20 days. Once adults, the animals are quite loyal to their location. On average they fly about 150 meters. As with other mosquitoes, only the females suck blood, which they need to form their eggs. Otherwise, like male mosquitoes, they cover their energy needs through nectar and other sweet plant juices.
Last week, the social authorities in Hamburg also called Facebook post to “Catch mosquitoes!” So far, no Asian tiger mosquitoes have been spotted in the Hanseatic city. Since they may transmit dangerous diseases, we want to detect their appearance early so that we can then fight them better. The tiger mosquito can be recognized, among other things, by its small body. At three to eight millimeters in size, it is a rather small mosquito. Their black and white pattern with five white stripes on their hind legs is striking. There is also a white stripe on the head and back of the animals. The wings, on the other hand, have no pattern and are more or less transparent. Even though it has this characteristic pattern, the tiger mosquito is often confused with other native mosquitoes such as the ring snail (Culiseta annulata). What is also typical of the tiger mosquito is that it is active during the day – while the other types of mosquito bite mainly at dusk or at night.
In Germany, mosquitoes have been hunted for some time in the so-called “Mosquito Atlas” mapped. The project, funded by the federal government, aims to keep an eye on how the population of bloodsuckers is developing in this country. And everyone can become a mosquito hunter. “Send us well-preserved mosquitoes” is what it says on the homepage. However, you should Don’t kill the animals, it’s best to catch them in a sealable jar and then freeze them overnight to kill the animals. They can then be sent by post for further examination.
If you are bitten by a tiger mosquito, there is no reason to panic
As far as the transmission of diseases is concerned, there is nothing to worry about so far. Even if the tiger mosquito is known in its area of origin to transmit dengue fever or Zika, the danger in Germany is probably low. Such an infection is actually only possible if a large density of mosquitoes encounters a large number of infected people. In addition, the climatic conditions must be suitable for both the pathogen and the insects. Neither is the case in Germany. Infections transmitted by tiger mosquitoes are usually brought in by travelers returning from tropical countries. An autochthonous disease, i.e. an infection without a previous stay in an infected area, has not yet been registered in Germany.
Because of the very low probability of disease transmission, there is no reason to panic if you are bitten by a tiger mosquito. The symptoms are similar to those of a normal mosquito bite: redness, itching and swelling at the bite site. However, if you experience flu-like symptoms such as chills, severe headaches, exhaustion and fever after a trip abroad, you should go to a doctor to be on the safe side.