National monitoring of alien mosquito species in Austria – 2022

Karin Bakran-Lebl; Julia Reichl; Heidi Bartel; Amelie Bittler; Barbara Eigner; Karina Hauer-Lienhart; Peter Hufnagl; Sebastian Paulic; Jana S. Petermann; Caroline Schultheiß; Thorsten Schwerte; Barbara Seebacher; Bita Shahi-Barogh; Maria Unterköfler; Gernot Walder; Christian Wieser; Thomas Zechmeister; Klaus Zimmermann; Carina Zittra; Hans-Peter Fuehrer

doi:10.15468/sgjwen

National monitoring of alien mosquito species in Austria – 2022

Citation

Bakran-Lebl K, Reichl J, Bartel H, Bittler A, Eigner B, Hauer-Lienhart K, Hufnagl P, Paulic S, Petermann J S, Schultheiß C, Schwerte T, Seebacher B, Shahi-Barogh B, Unterköfler M, Walder G, Wieser C, Zechmeister T, Zimmermann K, Zittra C, Fuehrer H (2026). National monitoring of alien mosquito species in Austria – 2022. AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/sgjwen accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-06-04.

Description

National monitoring of alien mosquito species in Austria

The aim of this project is to conduct a nationwide mosquito monitoring program in Austria using ovitraps to detect the presence and spread of non-native and potentially invasive mosquito species. These species can act as vectors for various pathogens and therefore pose a risk to public health. The project enables early detection of new populations and timely implementation of control measures, while also tracking the development of established populations. In addition, the standardized methodology applied across Austria allows the collected data to be used to identify spatial and temporal changes in the occurrence of these non-native mosquito species.

In this dataset we present the data on the mosquito monitoring from 2022. We have released this dataset to the public domain under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 International (CC-BY-NC-4.0) license and would appreciate it if you cite the provided DOI when using the data. If you have any questions regarding this dataset, don't hesitate to contact us via the contact information provided in the metadata.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

In 2022 container breeding mosquitoes were sampled from the beginning of May to end of October. Traps were set up at 65 sites in Austria. At each site, traps were placed at five (deviations possible) positions.

Sampling

For the detection of alien mosquitoes ovitraps were used. The traps (1L black plastic containers) were filled ~3/4 with tap water. A wooden wooden tongue depressor, fixed to one side of the cup with a stainless-steel clamp, was used as oviposition support. Traps were checked and the oviposition support as well as the water were changed weekly, although shorter or longer intervals could occur.

Method steps

1. Researchers from AGES defined the appropriate sampling protocol for the target species. - 2. Fieldwork was planned and coordinated by AGES. - 3. Data was collected in the field by personnel instructed by experts. - 4. Specimens were identified by experts at AGES. - 5. The collected data was entered into an Excel database. - 6. The data was verified and manually corrected by experts if necessary. - 7. The data was converted to the Darwin Core Standard in accordance with VectorNet specifications. Absence data were generated for Aedes albopictus, Aedes japonicus, Aedes koreicus and Aedes geniculatus. - 8. The data was checked again by experts at AGES and sent to VectorNet for validation. - 9. The dataset is published and registered with GBIF. - Quality control: Data are collected using a predefined sampling protocol and checked by professionals.

Taxonomic Coverages

Culicidae

Aedes
common name: Aedes mosquitoes rank: genus

Geographic Coverages

Austria

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Karin Bakran-Lebl
originator
position: Medical Entomologist
AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety
AT
email: karin.bakran-lebl@ages.at
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8818-2483

Julia Reichl
originator
AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety
AT

Heidi Bartel
originator
University of Salzburg
AT

Amelie Bittler
originator
Vetmeduni Vienna
AT

Barbara Eigner
originator
Vetmeduni Vienna
AT

Karina Hauer-Lienhart
originator
Verein Biologische Gelsenregulierung March-Thaya Auen
AT

Peter Hufnagl
originator
AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety
AT

Sebastian Paulic
originator
Vetmeduni Vienna
AT

Jana S. Petermann
originator
University of Salzburg
AT

Caroline Schultheiß
originator
Vetmeduni Vienna
AT

Thorsten Schwerte
originator
University of Innsbruck
AT

Barbara Seebacher
originator
AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety
AT

Bita Shahi-Barogh
originator
Vetmeduni Vienna
AT

Maria Unterköfler
originator
Vetmeduni Vienna
AT

Gernot Walder
originator
Johannes-Kepler-University Linz
AT

Christian Wieser
originator
Landesmuseum Kärnten
AT

Thomas Zechmeister
originator
Biological Station Lake Neusiedl
AT

Klaus Zimmermann
originator
KTZ-Schädlingsprävention
AT

Carina Zittra
originator
University of Vienna
AT

Hans-Peter Fuehrer
originator
Vetmeduni Vienna
AT

Karin Bakran-Lebl
metadata author
position: Medical Entomologist
AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety
AT
email: karin.bakran-lebl@ages.at
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8818-2483

Karin Bakran-Lebl
administrative point of contact
position: Medical Entomologist
AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety
AT
email: karin.bakran-lebl@ages.at
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8818-2483