First observation of Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Tshuapa province (Boende), Democratic Republic of the Congo

Authors

  • Joachim Mariën Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Belgium https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7023-445X
  • Nicolas Laurent Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Barcoding Facility for Organisms and Tissues of Policy Concern), Brussels, Belgium
  • Nathalie Smitz Royal Museum for Central Africa (Barcoding Facility for Organisms and Tissues of Policy Concern), Tervuren, Belgium https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5155-0801
  • Sophie Gombeer Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Barcoding Facility for Organisms and Tissues of Policy Concern), Brussels, Belgium https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3450-1375

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2254-8854/2022/a11932

Abstract

In May–June 2021, we collected Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) adults near the central hospital in Boende, the capital of Tshuapa province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We identified the mosquitoes using morphological and DNA-based techniques. This is the first report of this species in the DRC outside of Kinshasa and Kongo Central. Given the central location of Boende in the Congo Basin, our finding indicates that the vector might also have spread to other cities which are located on the Congo River and its major tributaries. We highlight the need to investigate the distribution of Ae. albopictus and to update disease risk maps for Central Africa, as it is an important vector for human arbovirus transmission. 

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Published

2022-05-12

How to Cite

1.
Mariën J, Laurent N, Smitz N, Gombeer S. First observation of Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Tshuapa province (Boende), Democratic Republic of the Congo. Afr. Entomol. [Internet]. 2022 May 12 [cited 2024 Apr. 20];30. Available from: https://www.africanentomology.com/article/view/11932

Issue

Vol. 30 (2022)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2022 Joachim Mariën, Nicolas Laurent, Nathalie Smitz, Sophie Gombeer

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.