Abstract
Following the expansion of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera, Culicidae) through Spain along the Mediterranean coast, mosquito surveillance was established in Gibraltar in 2016. This paper reports on the first detection of Ae. albopictus in Gibraltar in 2017 as well as subsequent efforts to monitor the establishment of the species, including longitudinal data over several years since 2018, and results of a snapshot survey in 2021 on adult mosquito density. Aedes albopictus has become established across most of Gibraltar, with defined seasonality from August to October, slightly later than the peak in Culex pipiens densities. The larval habitats for Ae. albopictus remain largely enigmatic. Mosquito samples tested for chikungunya and West Nile virus were all found to be negative, and this paper includes recommendations for future control efforts and infectious disease risk assessment.
Dr Sara Gandy
Research Associate
My research primarily focuses on understanding the ecological drivers of tick-borne diseases to provide insights on the mechanisms involved in transmission cycles, especially on the interactions between ticks, hosts and pathogens. My research includes investigating the impacts of environmental changes (woodland restoration, rewilding) and host community composition (deer, rodent and birds) on tick-borne diseases risks in the UK. Some of my findings uncovered an opposing effect of deer densities on Lyme disease hazard through their positive effects on tick density and negative effects on infection prevalence. I also published work looking at spatiotemporal changes in tick distribution using passive surveillance data and I have been leading the National Tick Survey, which involves collaborating with stakeholders in thirty National Parks and recreational areas to collect ticks and test them for various tick-transmitted pathogens between 2021 and 2024. The goal is to understand disease hazard and temporal variation in areas visited by members of the public and deliver tick awareness messages.