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Wolbachia Screening in Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens Mosquitoes from Madeira Island, Portugal

Publication . Fernandes, Rita; Melo, Tiago; Marques Zé-Zé, Líbia Maria; Campos Freitas, Inês; Silva, Manuel; Dias, Eva; Santos, Nuno C.; Gouveia, Bruna R.; Seixas, Gonçalo; Costa Osório, Hugo

Simple Summary: Mosquitoes can spread serious diseases like dengue and West Nile virus. On Madeira Island, two mosquito species—Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens—are present and may pose a risk to public health. Scientists are exploring new ways to control these mosquitoes using a natural bacterium called Wolbachia, which can reduce a mosquito’s ability to transmit viruses and even lower mosquito populations. However, for these methods to work, it is important to know first if the mosquitoes in the area already carry this bacterium. In this study, we tested Ae. aegypti and Cx. pipiens from Madeira for Wolbachia. Wolbachia was absent in all 100 Ae. aegypti tested but present in all 40 Cx. pipiens. We also found that the Wolbachia in Cx. pipiens belonged to a group commonly seen in other parts of the world. These results are important because they help us understand which mosquito control strategies might work in Madeira. Specifically, if scientists want to use Wolbachia to control Ae. aegypti on the island, they would need to introduce it artificially. This information can help improve public health efforts and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the region.

2025-04-15Journal article

Open access