Surveillance of adult mosquitoes in Taichung Port, 2019–2023

Chin-Sheng Chi^1*, Yi-Syue Li¹, Min-Tsung Lin¹, Ching-Fen Ko^1.2, Jhy-Wen Wu¹

2025 Vol.41 No.24

Correspondence Author： Chin-Sheng Chi^1*

Abstract：

        During 2019–2023, a total of 5,804 adult mosquitoes, representing seven mosquito species, were captured in Taichung Port. The most commonly captured mosquito species were 5,655 Culex quinquefasciatus (97.43%), followed by 77 Cx. fuscocephala (1.33%), and a small number of Cx. pipiens molestus (0.6%) and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (0.43%). 
        By month, Cx. pipiens molestus and Cx. quinquefasciatus were more common in November and March, while Aedes albopictus and Cx. fuscocephala were more common in June. By year, Cx. quinquefasciatus were more common in 2019 and 2020. There were more Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in 2019, and more Cx. pipiens molestus and Cx. fuscocephala in 2023. Ae. albopictus were found sporadically each year. 
        In 2021, one adult female Ae. aegypti was captured. Consequently, strengthened adult mosquito surveillance and continued routine ovitrap monitoring were carried out. No more Ae. aegypti were captured and no Ae. aegypti larvae hatched from ovitraps. 
        We recommend regular surveillance and research on mosquitoes that transmit infectious diseases in Taiwan, and promptly assess the risk of disease spread in response to the worsening global warming problem. When mosquito-borne disease outbreaks occur abroad, in addition to routine surveillance of exotic mosquito species, testing captured mosquitoes for infectious disease pathogens may be considered to help in assessing the risk of disease invasion and spread.

Keywords：Taichung port, adult mosquito surveillance, Aedes aegypti