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Challenges in Mosquito Surveillance and Control

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A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 9356

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Solomon Birhanie

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Guest Editor

West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, Ontario, CA, USA
Interests: invasive mosquitoes; mosquito control; vector-borne diseases; sterile insect technique; IPM
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mosquito-borne diseases continue to pose significant threats to global public health, yet the fight against vectors like Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex is increasingly complicated by ecological shifts, insecticide resistance, limited surveillance capacity, and urban expansion. We invite researchers, public health professionals, vector control specialists, and policymakers to submit manuscripts that explore the persistent and emerging challenges in mosquito surveillance and control.

We welcome submissions covering (but not limited to) the following topics:

Gaps in entomological surveillance systems;
Innovations in mosquito monitoring tools and technologies;
Insecticide resistance trends and management strategies;
Operational barriers in integrated vector control programs;
Data-driven decision-making in low-resource settings;
Community engagement and risk communication in control campaigns;
Climate and environmental influences on vector dynamics.

Submit your manuscript to contribute to this Special Issue and share lessons learned, novel approaches, and collaborative solutions to strengthen mosquito control efforts worldwide.

Dr. Solomon Birhanie
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

mosquito
surveillance
control
insecticide resistance
vectors
monitoring

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4715 KB

Open AccessArticle

Phylogeographic Insights into Aedes albopictus in Korea: Integrating COX1, ND5, and CYTB Analyses

by Sezim Monoldorova, Jong-Uk Jeong, Sungkyeong Lee, Ilia Titov, In-Yong Lee, Hojong Jun, Jin-Hee Han, Fauzi Muh, Kwang-Jun Lee and Bo-Young Jeon

Insects 2026, 17(1), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17010082 - 10 Jan 2026

Viewed by 700

Abstract

The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is an important vector of arboviruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Its rapid global expansion has been facilitated by climate change and human activities. Phylogenetic studies of Ae. albopictus have largely relied on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5) markers, while the utility of cytochrome b (CYTB) remains underexplored. We collected Ae. albopictus from 13 sites in seven provinces of South Korea and analyzed COX1, ND5, and CYTB sequences. Genetic diversity indices were calculated, and phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using maximum-likelihood trees and haplotype networks with a dataset obtained from GenBank. COX1 revealed 46 haplotypes, including six novel variants, with the highest diversity in southern coastal regions such as Busan and Suncheon. ND5 showed limited variation, with only two haplotypes. CYTB revealed three haplotypes, including region-specific variants in Busan and Wonju, supporting its role as a complementary marker. The Busan haplotype H41 bridged domestic and international lineages, suggesting Busan as a likely entry point. This study demonstrates that integrating COX1, ND5, and CYTB improves the resolution of Ae. albopictus phylogeography in Korea and highlights the need for continued molecular surveillance to guide vector control strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Mosquito Surveillance and Control)

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17 pages, 2766 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity of Aedes Mosquito Breeding Sites and the Epidemic Risk of Arboviral Diseases in Benin

by Germain Gil Padonou, Isidore Hoyochi, Arthur Sovi, Alphonse Keller Konkon, David Mahouton Zoungbédji, Albert Sourou Salako, Constantin Jésukèdè Adoha, Arsène Fassinou, Come Z. Koukpo, Saïd Chitou, Udoka Nwangwu, Anges Yadouleton, Lamine Baba-Moussa and Martin Codjo Akogbéto

Insects 2025, 16(12), 1215; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16121215 - 28 Nov 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2684

Abstract

Aedes mosquitoes are major vectors responsible for the transmission of arboviral diseases. This study aimed to identify the types of breeding sites colonized by Aedes mosquitoes and to assess the epidemic risk of arboviral diseases across communes in Benin. From January to November 2024, mosquito larvae were collected in nine study communes. All water-holding containers encountered were inspected for larvae and pupae. Samples of larvae and pupae were collected, pooled by breeding site type, and reared to adulthood for species identification. The frequency of different breeding site types was recorded. Epidemic risk was assessed using the House, Container and Breteau indices. Aedes aegypti (70.7%) was the most abundant species, followed by Culex quinquefasciatus (25.3%). Breeding sites were mainly artificial and included domestic containers (buckets, jars, drums, cans, cisterns, water troughs), tyres, and discarded containers (tin cans). The House, Container and Breteau indices indicated a high epidemic risk of arboviral diseases across the communes. The wide diversity of breeding sites supporting Aedes development, coupled with the high epidemic risk indices, highlights the urgent need for integrated vector control strategies, with priority given to identified high-risk areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Mosquito Surveillance and Control)

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15 pages, 1632 KB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological and Putative Organic Cation Transporter Expression Response to Alizarin Dye Exposure in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

by Naomi R. Kennel and Matthew F. Rouhier

Insects 2025, 16(12), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16121196 - 25 Nov 2025

Viewed by 737

Abstract

There remains an urgent need for knowledge regarding the molecular and genetic mechanisms in Aedes aegypti to support the fight against mosquito-borne illness, one of these areas being xenobiotic transport. If xenobiotic transport is disrupted, the accumulation of foreign molecules can reach toxic levels, leading to mortality. Therefore, transport by transmembrane proteins is an important consideration in the processes that govern mosquito metabolism and survival. We have identified six genes we speculate to be novel organic cation transporters (OCTNs) or organic cation transporters (OCTs) in Ae. aegypti. To measure the potential function of these transporters, female Ae. aegypti were injected with a blood meal size bolus of saline containing the xenobiotics Alizarin Yellow GG, Alizarin Yellow R, and Olsalazine and then clearance was quantified. mRNA expressions were analyzed 2 h and 24 h post injections in relation to xenobiotic exposure. Our findings demonstrate that xenobiotics had limited effect on the putative transporter expression profiles, but the molecular structure of the xenobiotics dramatically modified the volume and composition of the excreted materials, as well as changing the mortality. Overall, the mechanisms and key players underlying Ae. aegypti xenobiotic transport remain largely uncharacterized, but the results of this study are an important step in expanding knowledge of OCT(N)s in mosquitoes and understanding mosquito physiology. Targeting these proteins may offer new avenues for mosquito control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Mosquito Surveillance and Control)

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12 pages, 958 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Evaluation of Benchtop and Portable Near-Infrared Spectrometers for Predicting the Age and Blood Feeding History of Aedes aegypti

by Ayako Takahashi, Elvis Aquino Flores, Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas, Tharanga Kariyawasam and Maggy T. Sikulu-Lord

Insects 2025, 16(11), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16111143 - 7 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 865

Abstract

This study is a comparative assessment of a more affordable handheld spectrometer (NIRvascan) with the traditional Labspec 4i spectrometer for predicting the chronological age and blood feeding history of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes reared in the lab. Three separate cohorts of laboratory-reared Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were reared and collected at three age groups (1-, 10- and 17-days old). A model developed using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) with spectra collected by the Labspec 4i NIR spectrometer predicted the age of Ae. aegypti, classifying them into two groups (< or ≥ 10 days) with a predictive accuracy of 94% (N = 366) whereas an ANN model developed using spectra collected by the NIRvascan spectrometer predicted the age of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, classifying them into the same age group with a predictive accuracy of 90% (N = 290). ANN models developed for predicting the blood feeding history of mosquitoes were 82.8% (N = 308) and 71.4% accurate (N = 300) when Labspec 4i and NIRvascan were used, respectively. This is the first study to demonstrate that a handheld NIR instrument operated by a smart phone could potentially be used for predicting entomological parameters of mosquitoes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Mosquito Surveillance and Control)

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17 pages, 2417 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid-Response Vector Surveillance and Emergency Control During the Largest West Nile Virus Outbreak in Southern Spain

by Mikel Alexander González, Carlos Barceló, Roberto Muriel, Juan Jesús Rodríguez, Eduardo Rodríguez, Jordi Figuerola and Daniel Bravo-Barriga

Insects 2025, 16(11), 1100; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16111100 - 29 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2128

Abstract

West Nile Virus (WNV) is an emerging arboviral threat in Europe, with rising incidence in Spain since 2004. In 2024, Spain experienced its largest outbreak, primarily in small urban areas of south-western regions. We report a subset of an emergency integrated vector management program, focusing on six municipalities accounting for one-third of all human WNV cases nationwide. Over four months, 725 potential larval sites were inspected during 4026 visits. Adult mosquitoes (n = 2553) were collected with suction traps, and immature stages (n = 4457) with dipper techniques, yielding 11 species. Culex pipiens s.l. was predominant, while Cx. perexiguus, though less abundant, was epidemiologically significant. Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene phylogenetic analysis confirmed Cx. perexiguus, forming a distinct clade from Cx. univittatus. Immature mosquitoes were found in 18.6% of sites, especially irrigation canals, ditches, and backwaters near urban areas. Habitat differences in larval abundance were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Targeted larviciding with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) and focal adulticiding with cypermethrin totaled 259 interventions (70.4% larviciding, 29.6% adulticiding). A significant 63.9% reduction in larval abundance was observed after five consecutive Bti treatments, with some variation among treatment cycles (52.2–75.5%). Adult activity persisted into late autumn. This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of larval mosquitoes in Spain’s main WNV hotspot, highlighting the need for rapid, coordinated expert interventions and extended seasonal control to prevent future outbreaks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Mosquito Surveillance and Control)

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13 pages, 1455 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on Oviposition Site Preference and Egg Hatching of the Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) Mosquito

by Luka Ndungu, Donald Roberts, Lewis Long, Emilie Goguet, Alex Stubner, Sean Beeman, Stephen Lewandowski and Bernard Okech

Insects 2025, 16(9), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16090928 - 4 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1480

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) occurs in the environment, including in aquatic environments where mosquitoes might lay eggs. However, little is known about the compound’s impact on mosquitoes. We conducted an experiment to determine the effect of H₂O₂ on Ae. aegypti oviposition behavior and egg hatching using H₂O₂ concentrations similar to those in natural aquatic environments. Oviposition behavior was evaluated by dual-choice and multi-choice bioassays. Gravid Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were placed in cages with containers with different H₂O₂ concentrations (5, 25, 50, and 100 μM). After 72 h, the number of eggs laid was compared between oviposition sites with and without H₂O₂. Additionally, egg hatching was assessed under long-period exposure (48 h) and short-period exposure (2, 4, and 6 h and then in deionized water for up to 48 h). Results showed no significant difference in oviposition preference scores in the multi-choice assay (OAI = −0.135 ± 0.06) (p = 0.138), but a significant difference in the dual-choice assay (0.195 ± 0.01) (p = 0.001). Long-period exposure to H₂O₂ did not significantly affect hatch rates (11.34%) (p = 0.363), but short-period exposure significantly impacted hatch rates (17%) (p = 0.0001), with period of exposure alone playing a significant role (p < 0.0044). Eggs exposed to 100 μM H₂O₂ for 2 h (p = 0.0070) and 4 h (p = 0.0036) had significantly higher hatch rates compared to the control. This study demonstrates that low concentrations of H₂O₂ can influence oviposition site characteristics and egg hatch rates. Combined with other environmental factors, H₂O₂ can shape the reproductive success of Ae. aegypti, offering potential strategies for mosquito control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Mosquito Surveillance and Control)

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