The Citizen Science Project ‘Mückenatlas’ Supports Mosquito (Diptera, Culicidae) Monitoring In Germany

Abstract:
Owing to a neglect of mosquito research for several decades, basic data on the occurrence and distribution of mosquitoes are absent for Germany. However, without having available the status quo, it is particularly difficult to detect invasive species and monitor the spread of potential vector species, topics which have gained special attention recently. Alarmed by cases and outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases in other parts of Europe during the last few years, a mosquito monitoring programme was initiated in Germany in 2011. In addition to mosquito traps operated all over the country, an instrument for passive monitoring by community participation was launched in 2012, the “Mückenatlas”. Private people are requested to collect mosquitoes and send them to the monitoring scientists to assist in mosquito research. The Mückenatlas is a typical citizen science project which has substantially added to the analysis of the spatiotemporal mosquito distribution in Germany and, in particular, has led to the discovery of new populations of the invasive Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus.