2. Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU

Since its introduction in Spain in 2004, Aedes albopictus has rapidly spread across the country. Its aggressive biting behaviour causes nuisance, limiting outdoor activities. Also, its role as a vector of several arboviruses implies a major public health risk, with several cases of autochthonous dengue having been reported nationwide over the past few years. Control strategies usually focus on interventions in breeding sites. As such, accurate knowledge of the main larval habitats becomes a major priority in infested areas. A detailed identification of breeding sites of Ae. albopictus was carried out in the outdoors of 60 residential properties during July–August 2022 in El Vedat de Torrent (Valencia, Eastern Spain), an area recently colonised by this species. A total of 1444 real and potential breeding sites were examined. The most abundant potential larval habitat were plant pot plates (6.48 units/house), although a low infestation level was found, both for larvae (2.06% positivity, x̄ = 30.5 larvae/container), and pupae (0.51%, x̄ = 2.5 pupae/container). A total of 7715 larvae and 205 pupae were found in a disused flooded water pool depuration system. Animal drinkers, buckets and irrigation water containers were found to be the most common positive containers. No statistical difference was observed among the different container materials. A general statistical increase of 1 larva per 11.7 ml of water in breeding sites was detected. Breeding sites of other species such as Culex pipiens (n = 2) and Culex modestus (n = 1) were also rarely found in this residential area. To our knowledge, this is the first aedic index study carried out in Europe, and it provides valuable information about the main domestic breeding habitats of Ae. albopictus, which can greatly improve control programmes.

Aedes albopictus was first detected in the province of Valencia, Eastern Spain, in 2013. Since then, this invasive mosquito species has become a major pest in many municipalities due to its annoyance, but also to its importance as a public health concern as a potential vector of several arboviruses. Within the framework of the NESCOTIGER research project, several prevention and control activities were carried out during spring 2022 in the residential area of Torrent, a municipality recently invaded by the Asian tiger mosquito. An awareness campaign was conducted in the study area focused to both primary school students and residents. For children, talks in primary schools focusing on the basic aspects of the biology, prevention, control, and disease transmission of Ae. albopictus were conducted. For adults, a multi-pronged education campaign to mobilize the community in response to this mosquito species was devised, involving a series of workshops and local gatherings to raise awareness about Ae. albopictus. Additionally, a knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) study was conducted on both children (n = 544; 75.7%) and adults (n = 175; 24.3%). Both adults and children showed low levels of knowledge concerning Ae. albopictus biology, control strategies, and breeding sites identification. Nevertheless, there was great interest in learning and participating in novel strategies against this Aedes invasive mosquito. Future awareness campaigns in the area should consider the information gathered here for the development of community-based strategies. This study is the first to collect information on the KAP of local community members since the detection of Ae. albopictus in Spain, and it is the first to compare KAP surveys between adults and children concerning this invasive mosquito.