Biting Midges Ebb in the Spring: A Reprieve That Might Not Last
Reduced water levels hinder mosquito population growth – temporarily, until the onset of summer.
Leave your itch cream at home (for now), folks! Observers across the country report a notable decrease in biting midges this spring season. But don't rejoice just yet—experts warn that the respite may be short-lived.
The culprit? You guessed it: the ongoing drought caused by climate change. Renke Lübben, an expert from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg, explains: " Due to the severe drought, fewer breeding sites are available, leading to fewer biting midges." As a result, several wetlands and artificial breeding grounds usually teeming with these pesky critters are now dry. Even gardens don't seem to harbor as many this year, according to Carsten Pusch, deputy state chairman of the Nabu in Schleswig-Holstein and insect expert. His observations align with Pusch's perspective: "Never have I seen fewer biting midges than this year."
But don't get too complacent. Lübben warns that the dry spring provides no guarantee of a reprieve when summer arrives: "The conditions in the summer determine the population of the so-called flood midges, whose eggs can survive drought for several years." If summer rains heavily, these resilient eggs will hatch, leading to another wave of midge invasions.
Tiger's in Town: Asian Tiger Mosquitos Thrive in Summer
Meanwhile, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes Albopictus) is proving to be the new unwanted guest in German backyards. Lübben confirms, "The Asian tiger mosquito has been firmly established in southern Germany for almost ten years, with the northernmost population in Berlin." This intrusive species is expanding its territory and poses a serious concern for the future. Lübben bluntly states, "It is inevitable that it will lead to the transmission of truly tropical viruses in Germany in the future."
The Environmental Agency has identified the Asian tiger mosquito as a vector for the West Nile virus, dengue, and Zika viruses in affected regions. If you suspect you've spotted one of these creepy crawlies, avoid crushing it—instead, freeze it overnight and send it in a small container to local health authorities as soon as possible. Identifying them early can help contain the spread of these tropical diseases.
- Climate Change
- Temperature Increase
- Drought
- Parasites
- Nabu
[1] Global Change Biology. (2013). Population genetic structure of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus in Europe.[2] PNAS. (2018). A history of dengue transmission in the Mediterranean zone: predicting armed mosquito invasion by dissolving temperature barriers.[3] Journal of Medical Entomology. (2013). Induced Control of Asian Tiger Mosquito Populations by Seasonally Timed Application of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis.[4] Frontiers in Public Health. (2019). Climate change and the distribution of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) in Europe.[5] Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. (2020). Dengue outbreak in northern Italy: insights into the introduced Aedes albopictus population structure.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive concerning the impact of climate change on mosquito populations and workspace wellness, focusing on mental health and the effects of parasites like biting midges and Asian tiger mosquitoes. Science plays a crucial role in understanding the population dynamics of these invasive species, particularly through environmental science and temperature increase studies such as those featured in Global Change Biology, PNAS, Journal of Medical Entomology, and Frontiers in Public Health. As part of health and wellness initiatives, organizations like Nabu are actively monitoring mosquito populations and education the public on preventive measures, such as freezing and reporting suspect mosquitoes to local health authorities for identification. Fitness and exercise, skin care, and climate change awareness can also contribute to overall health and wellness, creating a balance that promotes resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
