Warning! Northward Movement of the Painful Biting Midge: A Climate Change-induced Shift in Germany
First occurrence of a mosquito species native to the south in Germany - Increase in Southern Mosquito Population Observed in Germany
Hey there! Welcome to this eye-opening exploration of how climate change could be nudging a pesky, bitey critter further north - Germany's newest uninvited guest, the biting midge. It's not your typical, pool-loving mosquito, but a genre called Culicoides - suckers of your sweet summer blood - that these biters belong to.
Researchers at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) in Müncheberg, led by entomologist Doreen Werner, recently made a stunning discovery in Brandenburg's Oder River floodplains, where some 62 of these sucker-critters known as Anopheles hyrcanus were found. These findings, confirmed through genetic evidence by biologist Helge Kampen from the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, are said to be the northernmost records worldwide. And yes, you guessed it - this is the first appearance of this species in Germany.
While Anopheles hyrcanus might need its lid for its love of heat, as a warming climate seems to offer a warm welcome, the bugger was previously found in southern regions from the Iberian Peninsula to Western Asia. In recent times, this bug has been spotted in Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Poland too.
So, how'd this little floater get to Germany? Well, Helge Kampen's got an answer - humans, baby! Humans inadvertently moving the pest around, he says. Though currently considered unremarkable in the transmitter of pathogens department and not overly dangerous, the species' presence isn't of significant concern to the common German.
Anopheles hyrcanus has theoretical potential to transmit malaria pathogens to humans, but that's highly unlikely. First, a midge would need to score a vacation souvenir from a human infected with malaria, then bite you. Let's cross those fingers and toes, shall we?
Though Anopheles hyrcanus has grabbed the headlines, don't underestimate the threat from Culicoides biting midges. They're sneaky carriers of diseases like bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus, and their activity and distribution could increase thanks to climate change's lengthier warm-weather hangouts.
During August and September 2024, traps set up by Werner's team caught 59 of these bloodsuckers near Quappendorf, with 3 more nearby Zeschdorf in the Oderbruch (Märkisch-Oderland district). As with many creepy-crawlies, the more you poke, the more they'll come out: if traps are set up in the same spots this year, Kampen predicts more of these little vampires could appear.
Keep your eyes peeled - the research is set to be published in the journal "Parasites & Vectors." Climate change's impact on insects means we'll be seeing more of these uninvited guests, and the adventure is just getting started!
Lingo Check:- Germany- Biting midge- Insect- Kampen- Brandenburg- Müncheberg- Doreen Werner- Climate- Greifswald- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute- German Press Agency- RBB
The first appearance of Anopheles hyrcanus, a species of biting midge, has been recorded in Germany, raising concerns about the potential impact of climate change on the distribution of such insects. Although Anopheles hyrcanus is unlikely to transmit malaria to humans, other species of biting midges, like Culicoides, carry diseases such as bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus. Researchers warn that the activity and distribution of these midges could increase due to climate change's longer warm-weather periods. Helge Kampen, a biologist, predicts that more biting midges may be found in traps set up in Brandenburg's Oder River floodplains, particularly in areas like Quappendorf and Zeschdorf, if traps are set up again this year.
