Summary

The mostUK reported mosquitoHealth species is Culiseta annulata,Security aAgency’s widespread,(UKHSA) large,mosquito recording scheme (MRS) collects, combines, and conspicuous mosquito,enhances commonly misidentifiedexisting asdata the tiger mosquitoon (Aedesthe albopictus).distribution of all British 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.

Since 2013, 592 submissions have been made to the MRS. The mosquito species reported most was Culex pipiens (s.l.),pipiens s.l., colloquially known as the ‘common house mosquito’, is alsomosquito’. Culex pipiens s.l. is one of the most abundant and widely reported.distributed Particularlymosquito species in autumn,the asUK, female Culexwith pipiens (s.l.)populations mosquitoesin willEngland, beginScotland, toand enter garages,Wales. sheds,Culiseta andannulata homeswas toalso overwinterwidely reported, as it is commonly misidentified as the weatherTiger getsMosquito cooler.   (Aedes albopictus).

OneThe invasiveMRS mosquitoalso speciesallows hasus beento detectedidentify throughwhich thespecies schemeare toresponsible date,for nuisance biting, and additionalthe incursionscircumstances havewhich beencontribute/support/encourage/ detectedlead by otherto surveillancenuisance schemes.biting incidents.

Why we collect mosquitoes

MosquitoThe Watch isNational Biodiversity Network is a passive surveillancepassive surveillance scheme, which aims to:  

• to
  fill gaps, and enhance existing data, on the distribution of British mosquitoes mosquitoes.

• identify whichIt species arealso responsibleaims for nuisanceto biting,increase theour environmentalunderstanding circumstancesof whichthe causeimpact nuisancethat bitingmosquitoes incidents,have andon thecommunities. impactThis includes the:

  • level of nuisance biting on affected communities 
    experiences

  • detect invasive mosquito species 

    species

  UKHSAWe relies on members of the public, entomologists, researchers, ecology consultants, wildlife groups, and others to submit mosquitoes to the scheme. We do not routinely testnot test mosquitoes for any pathogens they may carry, and we cannot provide advice on mosquito-borne illnesses.

  Report a mosquito

  You can report a mosquito,mosquito or submit athrough photograph, usingour this online form:form. You can also send a photograph of a mosquito to us.

  To Startdo nowthis, report through the online form and follow the instructions at the end.

  Report a mosquito

  Sending

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

  Sending post

  mosquitoes to us

  You can also send us any mosquitoes you have collected, along with your reference number generated by completing the online form, to the address below. below.

  When posting mosquitoes, please note: make sure that you:

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

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

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

  4. the mosquitoes should then be sent as soon as possible to the address below, along with your reference number generated by completing the online form.form

  5. send 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. all specimens sent will be identified andbe identified and we will reply by email.email

  Send to: to:

  Mosquito Watch Recording Scheme
  
  Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Ecology
  
  UK Health Security Agency Agency
  
  Porton Down Down
  Salisbury 
  Salisbury
  
  SP4 0JG 0JG
  

  Email: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 approximatelycost £1.50 toapproximately £3.50£1.50 to submit a mosquitoto £3.50 to Mosquito Watch whensend 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.in

  Below are some suggested shipping methods, using Royal Mail: Mail:

  • large letter (maximum thickness 2.5cm, max 100g) - our usual vials in a smalla padded envelopesmall padded envelope will fit this category 

    category

  • small parcel (maximum thickness 16cm) - larger containers, for example, universal tubes used by vets, will need to go in this category 

    category

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

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

  The Mosquito Recording Scheme

  The Mosquito Recording Scheme collects, combines, and enhances existing data on the distribution of all British mosquitoes to fill the gaps in our current understanding of mosquito distributions. Data generated through the Mosquito Watch scheme is included. All records are available from the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Gateway for research and public use.

  Main resources for The Mosquito Recording Scheme:
  

  • Mosquito species profiles
  • Distinguishing Aedes albopictus, the Tiger mosquito, from native British mosquitoes
  • Mosquito control around the garden