The Marimurtra Botanical Garden actively participates in the research and control of the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), an invasive species recognizable by its white stripes on its legs and back. This mosquito can breed in small stagnant water points and can transmit viruses such as dengue, chikungunya, or Zika.
To reduce its abundance, at Marimurtra potential water points are eliminated or managed, monitoring traps are installed, and regular surveillance actions are carried out. In addition, we collaborate with the scientific project Mosquito Alert, a research group that studies the distribution and behaviour of the tiger mosquito and how it responds to environmental and management changes.
Through these actions, we contribute to public health and to the conservation of the garden as a safe and sustainable space, and we have succeeded in significantly reducing the abundance of mosquitoes, as well as the nuisance for visitors and the associated health risk.
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1. Introduction
The Marimurtra Botanical Garden, aware of the presence of this invasive species in its environment, has been taking measures for some time to reduce its abundance. For this reason, it actively collaborates with expert researchers in this field (CEAB-CSIC, UPF) to contribute to the collection of scientific data on this species through participation in various scientific projects (Mosquito Alert).
2. The tiger mosquito
The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is an invasive species currently present on five continents and is considered one of the 100 most invasive species in the world. It is characterized by its black and white striped legs and its small black and white body.
Today, it is considered a public health problem, not only because of the nuisance caused by its bites but also due to its ability to transmit numerous diseases.
More information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aedes_albopictus
How can I identify it?
It is a small black mosquito, between 6–9 mm in length. It can be recognized by a single white line on the back of its head and thorax (1). Its legs are black with white spots, giving it a zebra-like appearance (2).
Unlike other mosquitoes, the tiger mosquito is diurnal, with high activity early in the morning and especially in the afternoon until sunset. These are the periods when it usually bites.
Although it also enters houses, it is strongly associated with outdoor spaces, where it finds shelter in vegetation to hide and rest. Its ideal habitat consists of damp and shady corners.
Where does it come from?
The tiger mosquito originates from Southeast Asia. In recent decades it has invaded many countries and is now present in Asia, Africa, America, Australia, and Europe.
Globalization has allowed its passive spread by sea and land, and the transport of used tyres and plants has contributed to its invasion.
It arrived in Europe in 1979 through Albania. In 2004 it was detected for the first time in Spain, in the province of Barcelona. It is now distributed throughout the Mediterranean coast and moving inland.
Its great adaptability to new conditions suggests that its distribution range will expand in the coming years.
Life cycle
Mosquitoes have a life cycle with both aquatic and terrestrial phases:
Adults (1) are terrestrial and lay eggs (2) on or near water.
Larvae (3) are aquatic and feed on organic matter.
Pupae (4) do not feed; instead, they undergo metamorphosis into adults.
Why is it here and how to fight it
Today, the tiger mosquito has adapted to breeding in artificial containers such as plant pot saucers, buckets, unused fountains or any object that holds a bit of water.
The eggs are drought-resistant and hatch when covered with water.
The best way to fight it is by eliminating breeding water sources.
Public authorities act in public areas, but citizen participation is key.
These mosquitoes fly between 200 and 500 metres from their breeding sites.
Problem. Bites and diseases
Males and females feed on nectar, but only females bite to obtain the proteins needed to develop their eggs.
The tiger mosquito can bite several times during a single meal.
Besides being annoying, it can transmit dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever, and under laboratory conditions, it has been shown to carry up to 22 different viruses.
Although it can bite several animals, it rarely transmits pathogens between animals and humans, and is often used as an example of direct human-to-human transmission without the involvement of other species.
3. Actions at Marimurtra
3.1 Mapping and treatments
What do we do at Marimurtra to fight the tiger mosquito?
The garden has an active detection and action plan.
In collaboration with the Environmental Association Xatrac, the following actions have been carried out:
Mapping of potential breeding points
Application of microbial biological products (Vectomax® FG)
Mechanical removal of breeding points (drain holes, bromeliads)
These actions allow us to:
Understand the current state of the garden
Assess the effectiveness of the products
Adjust dosages and monitor critical points
3.2 Mosquito Alert
The Marimurtra team collaborates with the CEAB-CSIC and UPF, participating in Mosquito Alert projects.
Ongoing or regular actions:
Sampling tiger mosquitoes in various areas of the garden using traps
Survival analysis to assess the mosquito’s potential to transmit diseases
Study of the human–mosquito interaction network to analyse how many different people a mosquito can bite (via DNA samples)
Installation of BG traps, including one smart trap that uses AI to identify mosquito species
Study of the influence of rainfall patterns on treatment effectiveness
We also promote the use of the Mosquito Alert citizen science app among visitors.
These actions have reduced the abundance of tiger mosquitoes in the garden, leading to a significant decrease in nuisance and health risk during peak visitor season.
Participation in scientific studies, such as those supported by Mosquito Alert, has enabled a better understanding of mosquito distribution and seasonality — identifying a bimodal abundance pattern with two clear peaks — and insight into the effectiveness of larvicide treatments under varying weather conditions.
Results show that treatments are much more effective when applied during dry periods and at early larval stages, achieving adult population reductions of 70% to 90%.
This knowledge has been key to refining the intervention calendar, optimising resources, and moving towards a climate-responsive management model based on integrated and sustainable methods.
Published articles
Blanco-Sierra, L., Mariani, S., Escartín, S., Eritja, R., Palmer, J. R. B., & Bartumeus, F. (2023).
Drivers of longevity of wild-caught Aedes albopictus populations. Parasites & Vectors, 16(1), 328.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05961-4
Blanco-Sierra, L., Bellver-Arnau, J., Escartín, S., Mariani, S., & Bartumeus, F. (2024).
Human–Environment Interactions Shape Mosquito Seasonal Population Dynamics. Insects, 15(7), 527.
https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15070527
Bellver-Arnau, J., Blanco-Sierra, L., Escartín, S., Mariani, S., & Bartumeus, F. (2025).
Climate-responsive vector control strategies for Aedes albopictus. Parasites & Vectors, 18, 168.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06791-2
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