Tiger mosquito continues to spread in Belgium

The presence of the tiger mosquito in Belgium is expanding rapidly and the species is establishing itself here, according to reports from public health institute Sciensano and the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp (IMT).

Mosquito season has officially begun and residents are once again being asked to report sightings of tiger mosquitoes via the SurveillanceMoustiques.be website or the Surveillance Moustiques mobile app. The species can be identified by the black and white stripes on their hind legs.

Tiger mosquitoes were recorded in 21 municipalities last year, including 11 for the first time, with 47 reported sightings in all.

In Flanders, the insect was reported for the first time in six municipalities (Berchem, Boom, Ghent, Humbeek, Vilvoorde and Wijnegem) and in nine others where it had already been detected in previous years (Evergem, Hoegaarden, Kessel-Lo, Leuven, Melle, Puurs-Sint-Amands, Schelle, Wilrijk and Wolfsdonk).

In Wallonia, it has been observed in two new municipalities (Baudour and Verviers) as well as in Ath, where it had already been spotted.

In Brussels, it has been recorded in the territories of the City of Brussels, Forest and Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.

Field inspections have confirmed the overwintering of the tiger mosquito in Ath, Kessel-Lo and Puurs-Sint-Amands. Adding Wilrijk and Lebbeke (where overwintering was confirmed in 2023), this brings the total number of localities where the tiger mosquito is permanently established in Belgium to five.

Numerous sightings have been reported along the A12 motorway between Brussels and Antwerp. According to entomologist Wim Van Bortel, "this clearly illustrates how tiger mosquitoes travel with passengers and goods traffic, which facilitates their rapid spread along major transport routes".

Sciensano said it was clear that the tiger mosquito is not only entering and spreading in Belgium, but also beginning to establish itself here permanently.

Since the start of the cataloguing project, tiger mosquitoes have been reported in 36 locations across 35 municipalities, with new locations detected each year. Tiger mosquitoes have also been spotted in seven of the eight motorway car parks actively monitored in 2022 and 2023.

Sciensano is calling for increased efforts in surveillance and prevention in order to monitor the situation and limit the establishment of this species in Belgium.

Residents can take preventive measures, for example by removing breeding sites containing stagnant water in their gardens.

More recommendations are available on the SurveillanceMoustiques.be website.