Lexi Webster
Mosquitoes are found throughout Australia, in almost every type of environment, from pristine wetlands to polluted drains and coastal saltmarshes to snow-melt streams. They are particularly prevalent in urban areas. Australia has a diverse range of mosquitoes, with around 300 species, and while relatively few pose a serious health risk, they are a public health concern due to the diseases they can carry and transmit through their bites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Species | Aedes vigilax, Aedes notoscriptus, Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex |
| Common name | Australian saltmarsh mosquito, domestic container mosquito, dengue mosquito, Asian tiger mosquito |
| Habitat | Coastal areas, urban areas, wetlands, coastal saltmarshes, snow melt streams, polluted drains |
| Breeding grounds | Mangrove swamps, tidal pools, brackish water bodies, containers, small bodies of water |
| Active time | Day and night, peak biting periods at dawn and dusk |
| Disease transmission | Malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya |
| Range | Can fly up to 50 km inland |
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What You'll Learn
Mosquito species in Australia
Australia is home to a diverse range of mosquitoes, with more than 300 unique species found across the country. While most of these species do not bite humans, a small number are considered pests due to their ability to transmit diseases. The distribution of mosquito species varies across Australia, with certain species being more common in specific regions.
Some of the most common mosquito species in Australia include Aedes notoscriptus, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Culex annulirostris. Aedes mosquitoes are known to transmit diseases such as dengue fever, while Culex species are associated with the transmission of Japanese encephalitis. Another species to note is the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which was discovered in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, despite not being permanently established in the region since the mid-1950s.
Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant risk to public health, and the prevention of mosquito bites is crucial to protect against these diseases. Local health authorities play an important role in monitoring and controlling mosquito populations, especially when new diseases emerge. Surveillance and trapping methods are employed to detect the presence of viruses and potentially fatal infections in mosquito populations.
Climate change is also expected to impact mosquito populations, with rising temperatures allowing them to spread to new areas. As a result, mosquito-borne diseases may also expand their range, raising health concerns. Researchers are studying the ability of local mosquitoes to transmit diseases and are working on strategies to block disease transmission.
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Where mosquitoes breed
Mosquitoes breed in outdoor areas with standing water, such as plant pots, puddles, blocked gutters, and drains. The Aedes notoscriptus species, also known as the domestic container mosquito, is a common variety found around homes in Australia. They breed in containers and small bodies of water.
To prevent a mosquito infestation, it is essential to eliminate their breeding sites. This can be achieved by draining areas with standing water, maintaining drainage systems, and removing vegetation that blocks natural predators' access to mosquito larvae.
In agricultural settings, mosquito management can be challenging due to the vast properties, the presence of water bodies, and widespread water use. Climate change can also impact mosquito breeding patterns. While rainfall may decrease in certain regions of Australia, rising sea levels can create new sources of water for mosquitoes to breed.
Additionally, drought conditions, a natural part of Australia's hydroclimate, can influence mosquito breeding behaviour. Some mosquito species can retain their eggs for extended periods, searching for remnant water sources during prolonged droughts. Increased temperatures associated with drought can also extend the breeding season for certain mosquito species, such as Culex mosquitoes in urban environments.
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Mosquito-borne diseases
Mosquitoes in Australia are not just a nuisance but can also spread bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases to humans, known as 'vector-borne diseases'. The infections transmitted by mosquitoes can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, even result in death. The Australian mosquito-borne disease risks include Ross River Virus infection, Barmah Forest Virus infection, dengue fever, and malaria.
Ross River Virus (RRV) infection is the most commonly reported and widespread mosquito-borne disease in Australia, with around 5,000 infections each year. However, this number is likely an underestimate. RRV infection is not fatal but can cause peripheral arthritic joint pain, fatigue, fever, swollen and aching joints, muscle pain, and a rash. There is no specific treatment for RRV, but symptoms can be managed with analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication.
Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) infection, along with RRV, is referred to as epidemic polyarthritis. Symptoms can range from asymptomatic, more common in children, to mild or severe. Mild symptoms can include fatigue, fever, swollen and aching joints, muscle pain, and a rash. Severe symptoms can last from a few weeks to several months, and some patients may experience persistent chronic joint pain and tiredness for many years. There is currently no licensed vaccine available for BFV.
Dengue fever is another mosquito-borne disease found in northern Queensland and the Torres Strait in Australia. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, commonly found in these regions, is a vector for dengue fever. This mosquito species is also found in urban areas and will bite during the day and indoors, making it a significant concern for humans.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease usually found in people who have travelled overseas. The Anopheles mosquito species, which transmits malaria, has been found to survive long-distance flights, contributing to the spread of the disease.
Other mosquito-borne diseases reported in Australia include Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin (West Nile) virus, and Chikungunya virus, although these are very rare. The risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases and the severity of symptoms can vary depending on factors such as season, temperature, rainfall, and the availability of breeding sites.
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Impact of climate change on mosquitoes
Australia's diverse climatic range and environmental bioregions promote unique and endemic faunal diversity. This, in combination with introduced vectors and pathogens, has resulted in the emergence of novel disease transmission pathways.
Mosquito numbers are greatly influenced by local weather conditions, and climate change will significantly impact these conditions. As a result, mosquito numbers, distribution, behaviour, species present, and disease levels are all likely to change in Australia, and perhaps quite quickly. While some areas will become drier due to climate change, temperatures will generally increase. With warmer temperatures, the mosquito life cycle and the diseases they carry will speed up. For example, Aedes aegypti completes its life cycle in around 40 days at 16°C, but only ten days at 36°C. Fecundity and survival rates also change with temperature, dropping off at the extremes. Warmer temperatures will result in faster life cycles, higher mosquito numbers, and a longer mosquito season.
The distribution of mosquitoes will change as they move into areas that were previously uninhabitable, and they can establish themselves quite quickly. Aedes aegypti, the key vector for dengue fever, is primarily confined to tropical north Queensland. However, even with moderate climate change, the mosquito will spread and extend the dengue risk zone down to Brisbane. By 2050, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are vectors for many serious mosquito-borne diseases, are likely to pose a threat to 49% of the world's population.
The impact of climate change on mosquito-borne diseases is also influenced by human activities. For example, when households store water in response to drought, this can increase local mosquito breeding sites and disease risk. Similarly, land-use changes can drive migration to cities, increasing the population at risk of explosive outbreaks of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Research has shown that reducing global warming could save millions of people from mosquito-borne diseases. For example, a study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine predicted that more than eight billion people could be at risk of malaria and dengue by 2080 due to rising temperatures lengthening the transmission seasons.
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Preventing mosquito bites
Mosquitoes are an occasional annoyance for most people in Australia, but they can also spread serious diseases when they bite. To prevent mosquito bites, it is recommended to use mosquito repellents containing either DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (PMD), which have been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. These repellents can protect against mosquito-borne diseases such as the Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, and Japanese Encephalitis virus, which have been reported in South Australia.
In addition to using mosquito repellent, there are several other measures that can be taken to prevent mosquito bites. One effective method is to eliminate potential breeding sites, especially for the Aedes notoscriptus, or the domestic container mosquito, which is a common species around homes. This species breeds in containers and small bodies of water, so homeowners can reduce their presence by removing standing water from containers such as buckets, pots, and vases, and regularly changing the water in bird baths and pet bowls.
Another way to reduce the risk of mosquito bites is to be mindful of peak biting periods. The Australian saltmarsh mosquito, Aedes vigilax, which is common in coastal areas, bites both during the day and at night, but their peak biting periods are at dawn and dusk. Avoiding outdoor activities during these times or taking extra precautions, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, can help reduce the chances of being bitten.
It is also important to be vigilant when travelling to different parts of Australia, as the risk of mosquito-borne diseases can vary depending on the region. For example, the dengue mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is found in North Queensland, and the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has been detected in some seaports and airports, although it is not yet established in the country. Staying informed about the mosquito activity in the area you are visiting and taking appropriate precautions can help protect against mosquito bites and the potential diseases they may carry.
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Frequently asked questions
Mosquitoes are found throughout Australia, in almost every type of environment, from pristine wetlands to polluted drains and from coastal salt marshes to snow melt streams.
There are around 300 species of mosquitoes in Australia, including the Aedes vigilax, the Australian saltmarsh mosquito, and the Aedes notoscriptus, the domestic container mosquito.
Mosquitoes often live in urban areas and breed in containers and small bodies of water. The Aedes vigilax breeds in coastal areas, including mangrove swamps, tidal pools, and other brackish water bodies, and can be found up to 50km inland.
Mosquitoes are a nuisance and a potential health risk in Australia. They can disturb sleep and make outdoor activities difficult. The biggest concern is the range of diseases they carry and transmit to humans through their bites, including malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya.
