Researchers
Background Info
The fast-expanding range of Asian bush/rock-pool mosquito in the US and, specifically PA, corresponds with increased threat of disease outbreaks involving Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile Virus, and the La Crosse virus. There are recent reports of the James Canyon Virus being potentially vectored by Ae. japonicus. This project aims to enhance awareness of the public health risks of Ae. japonicus in the vector control industry by integrating species identification approaches with mosquito ecology and management practices. They will develop lab-based molecular diagnostics to complement morphological vector identification, then conduct an educational workshop on mosquito biology, human-environment interactions, field ecology, and control.Problem
The Asian bush/rock-pool mosquito, Aedes japonicus was first recorded in the United States in 1998 from New York and New Jersey light‑trap collections, marking a new introduction of the species into North America. As it continued to expand its range in the US, the mosquito prefers diverse larval habitats and a cold tolerance that allows an expanded seasonal activity range in temperate climates. The larval ecology has shown interactions with other local species that impacts on its role as a primary vector in the US. This ecology presents its potential to expand and interact with local enzootic arboviruses such as the Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile Virus, the La Crosse virus and potentially exotic viruses if introduced. Although environmental dominance of its related container breeder Aedes albopictus can take decades to occur, the fast-expanding range of Ae. japonicus presents a continued threat of disease outbreaks in the US. Part of the proposal team involved at PA DEP recently reported that, between 2010–2018, surveillance in Pennsylvania detected Ae. japonicus in all 67 counties, with increases in abundance across the period. Blood meal analyses showed mammal focused feeding (humans, cats, white tailed deer), and West Nile virus was detected in a limited number of Ae. japonicus pools in statewide surveillance. These findings underscore Ae. japonicus’s statewide presence and potential epidemiologic relevance in Pennsylvania. Our ongoing collaboration between the Ecology lab at Penn State Harrisburg and the Vector Management unit of the PA Department of Environmental Protection provide first reports of James Canyon virus positive pools of Ae. japonicus this year (unpublished). These observations escalate the potential threats of the mosquito in human and animal populations.Goals
The proposed project aims at enhancing awareness of public health risks of Ae. japonicus in the vector control industry, by integrating operationally relevant species ID approaches with mosquito ecology and management practices. We propose to develop lab-based molecular diagnostics to complement morphological vector identification, and conduct an educational workshop on mosquito biology, human-environment interactions, field ecology and control. The project strengthens surveillance, source reduction, and risk communication championed by vector control operators at the counties and industry partners.