Updated checklist of Culicidae (Diptera) in Adana Province, Türkiye, with the first record of Aedes albopictus
This study updates the Culicidae fauna of Adana Province, Türkiye, by confirming the establishment of the invasive *Aedes albopictus* across multiple districts through the detection of all developmental stages, highlighting a significant southward expansion and the urgent need for enhanced vector surveillance.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of a preprint that has not been peer-reviewed. It is not medical advice. Do not make health decisions based on this content. Read full disclaimer
Mosquitoes are more than just a summer nuisance; they are the world's most effective carriers of disease. Among them, a specific group known as Aedes mosquitoes stands out because they thrive near human homes and can transmit viruses that cause serious illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. While some of these mosquitoes have long been established in tropical regions, a particularly adaptable species called Aedes albopictus, often known as the Asian tiger mosquito, has been spreading rapidly across the globe. This insect is notorious for its ability to survive in cooler climates and for laying eggs that can withstand drying out, allowing it to colonize new territories quickly. When this mosquito moves into a new area, it brings the potential for local outbreaks of diseases that were previously rare or absent there. Understanding exactly where these mosquitoes are establishing themselves is critical for public health officials who need to prepare for the risks they pose.
In the southern Turkish province of Adana, researchers recently set out to update the local list of mosquito species and to determine if this invasive tiger mosquito had taken root. The team, led by scientists from Cukurova University, conducted a thorough survey across thirty different locations in the region during the summer of 2024. These sites ranged from dense city neighborhoods and university campuses to agricultural fields and coastal wetlands. To catch the mosquitoes, the team used small, battery-powered traps that emit light and carbon dioxide to lure the insects in, placing them in the evening and leaving them to run overnight. They also searched for the younger, immature stages of the mosquitoes—larvae and pupae—in various water sources, such as irrigation canals, rain-filled puddles, and water storage containers. The researchers collected these young mosquitoes and brought them back to a laboratory, where they were kept in water-filled containers until they grew into adults, a process that allowed the team to confirm the species with absolute certainty.
The results of this extensive fieldwork revealed a significant shift in the local ecosystem. The researchers identified a total of 2,130 mosquitoes representing seven different species. While the most common mosquito found was a native species called Culex pipiens, the study confirmed the presence of Aedes albopictus for the first time in Adana. This invasive species accounted for 227 of the collected mosquitoes, making up roughly ten percent of the total catch. Crucially, the team did not just find a few stray adults that had blown in from elsewhere; they found evidence that the mosquito is now breeding locally. They discovered the species in all four districts they surveyed, including Seyhan, Yüreğir, Karataş, and Yumurtalık. In some areas, like the Çamlıtepe neighborhood, they found both adult mosquitoes caught in the traps and new adults that had hatched from the larvae they collected from the ground. This combination of finding adults and successfully raising their offspring in the lab proves that the mosquito has established a self-sustaining population in the region.
The presence of this mosquito in Adana represents a major southward expansion of its range within Turkey. Previously, the species had been documented in the northwestern, Black Sea, and Aegean regions of the country, but its arrival in the eastern Mediterranean had been a gap in the known distribution map. The researchers noted that the mosquito was found in a wide variety of habitats, from urban streets to rural farms, highlighting its ability to adapt to human-made environments. While the exact path the mosquito took to reach Adana remains unknown, the scientists suspect it arrived through human transport, likely hidden in shipments of goods or used tires, a common route for this species globally. The discovery serves as an important warning signal. Although no local transmission of diseases like dengue or Zika has been reported in Turkey yet, the arrival of a mosquito capable of carrying these viruses means the region is now at risk. The study concludes that continuous monitoring and coordinated efforts to manage mosquito populations are now essential to protect public health in southern Turkey.
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