Researchers at the University of Glasgow have identified 16 mosquito species across Scotland as part of an ongoing effort to map the distribution and ecological role of these insects. The study, which is assessing how mosquito populations and potential pathogen risks may shift under climate change, has utilized a combination of scientific field collection and a citizen science project that has received over 700 public reports since May 2024.
Understanding the Scottish Mosquito Population
While mosquitoes are a natural component of Scottish ecosystems and play a role in local food webs, public awareness regarding their presence and impact is growing. The Mosquito Scotland project, a three-year initiative launched in 2023 with a £1.25 million grant from UK Research and Innovation and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), is the first of its kind to evaluate the risk of mosquito-borne pathogen emergence in Scotland. Led by Dr. Georgia Kirby and PhD scholar Meshach Lee of the University of Glasgow’s School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, the research team has collected more than 1,000 mosquitoes over the past year. These insects have been documented from urban centers like Glasgow to remote areas, including a record in the Shetland Isles that now stands as the northernmost mosquito sighting in the UK.
Nuisance Biting and Human Interaction
Although mosquitoes do not currently pose a direct threat to human health in Scotland, researchers have confirmed that several species are a source of nuisance biting.
Through follow-up investigations of reports submitted by the public, the team identified *Aedes cantans*, *Aedes punctor*, and *Aedes rusticus* as the primary species responsible for human-biting incidents.
Data indicates that these interactions are most frequent in dense woodland areas, particularly pine forests in the east of Scotland, as well as indoors within large urban centers. While many people initially suspected midges or clegs (horseflies) were the culprits behind their bites, researchers found that the public was generally accurate in distinguishing mosquitoes from other biting insects, often noting the distinctive high-pitched whining sound associated with adult mosquitoes.
Climate Change and Future Health Risks
A central focus of the project is to anticipate how environmental change might alter the risks posed by these insects. Prof. Heather Ferguson, who leads the project, noted that while mosquitoes in Scotland are currently low in abundance and do not carry diseases that infect humans, climate change could facilitate the establishment of invasive species or diseases currently found in other parts of Europe. The research also has implications for animal health. In other parts of the UK, mosquito-borne pathogens such as the Usutu virus and avian malaria have already significantly affected wild and zoo-housed bird populations.
How the Public Can Participate
For those concerned about nuisance biting, the researchers recommend simple precautions similar to those used for protection against midges and ticks: * Applying insect repellent. * Wearing long sleeves, particularly when visiting forested areas during the summer months when mosquito activity peaks. The project is a collaboration between the University of Glasgow, the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH). By gathering this baseline data, the team aims to establish a long-term monitoring framework to inform future public health and environmental policies.
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