Summary

The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) mosquito reportingrecording systemscheme collates(MRS) collects, combines, and enhances existing data on the distribution of all British mosquitoes.mosquitoes to fill the gaps in our current understanding of mosquito distributions. All records are available from the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Gateway for research and public use.

Why

Since we2013, collect592 mosquitoes

Wesubmissions collect,have combinebeen andmade enhanceto existingthe dataMRS. onThe themosquito distributionspecies ofreported allmost Britishwas mosquitoesCulex topipiens fills.l., colloquially known as the gaps‘common inhouse ourmosquito’. currentCulex understandingpipiens s.l. is one of mosquitothe distributionsmost abundant and encouragewidely distributed mosquito species in the sharingUK, ofwith up-to-datepopulations distributionin data.

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WeThe doMRS notalso currentlyallows testus mosquitoesto identify which species are responsible for anynuisance pathogensbiting, theyand maythe carry.circumstances which contribute/support/encourage/ lead to nuisance biting incidents.

Why we collect mosquitoes

The reportingNational systemBiodiversity Network is a passive surveillance scheme, which aims to:

• promoteto
  fill gaps, and enhance existing data, on the surveillancedistribution of mosquitoesBritish inmosquitoes.

  It thealso UK

• understandaims to increase our understanding of the impact that mosquitoes andhave theiron bitescommunities. haveThis onincludes peoplethe:
  • level of nuisance biting experiences
  • detect exoticinvasive mosquito species

  IndividualsWe anddo groupsnot aretest invitedmosquitoes tofor helpany inpathogens thethey developmentmay ofcarry, theand databasewe oncannot mosquitoprovide distributions.advice Thison canmosquito-borne beillnesses.

  Report donea bymosquito

  You submittingcan report a photographmosquito orthrough byour sendingonline inform. anyYou mosquitoescan collected,also alongsend witha detailsphotograph of:

  • date of collection
  • specifica locationmosquito (suchto asus.

    To griddo referencethis, orreport What3Words)

  • generalthrough locationthe (nearestonline townform orand village)
  • localfollow habitat (such as woodland or pasture)
  • contact details of the individualinstructions sendingat in the sample
  end.

  Report a mosquito

  The UKHSA relies upon members of the public, entomologists, researchers, ecology consultants, wildlife groupsgroups, and others to submit mosquitoes to the scheme.

  You can report a mosquito through our online form.

  Submit a report

  Sending mosquitoes to us

  You can also completesend theus mosquitoany reportingmosquitoes form (MSyou Wordhave Document,collected, 144along KB)with andyour sendreference itnumber alonggenerated withby anycompleting mosquitoesthe collectedonline form, to the address atbelow.

  When theposting bottommosquitoes, ofplease themake page.

  Howsure tothat send mosquitoes

  you:

  1. Ifif you collect more than one mosquito from different habitats or locations, they should be placed in separate labelled containers.

  2. Ifif you collect more than one mosquito from the same habitat on the same day, they can be sent in one container.container

  3. Livelive mosquitoes should be placed in a container and put in the freezer for 10 minutes in order to kill them.them

  4. Thethe mosquitoes should then be sent as soon as possible to the address below, togetheralong with theyour completedreference reportingnumber form.generated by completing the online form

  5. Sendsend any mosquitoes collected in a crush-proof, plastic container (like an old camera film case, or, alternatively, plastic vials can be supplied on request to the address or email below).below)

  6. Allall specimens sent will be identified and we will reply by email.email

  PleaseSend send mosquitoes to:

  Mosquito Recording Scheme

  
  
  Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology
  
  UK Health Security Agency
  
  Porton Down
  
  Salisbury
  
  SP4 0JG
  

  Email mosquito@ukhsa.gov.uk

  Figure 1: Locations of Mosquito Recording Scheme submissions in the UK, with each point representing at least one report per 10 km grid square.

  

  Postage costs

  It should cost approximately £1.50 to £3.50 to send a mosquitoes into the MRS when using the correct shipping materials and method. Although this will depend on how many mosquitoes you are sending or the size of the tubes you are sending them in

  Below are some suggested shipping methods, using Royal Mail:

  • large letter (maximum thickness 2.5cm, max 100g) - our usual vials in a small padded envelope will fit this category
  • small parcel (maximum thickness 16cm) - larger containers, for example, universal tubes used by vets, will need to go in this category

  See Post Office price finder for up-to-date postage costs.

  It is not necessary to post specimens using ‘signed for’ or ‘special delivery’.