Biology subjects

Kirby, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Kirby, G..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

First nationwide mosquito surveillance in Northern Irish wetlands reveals presence of Culex pipiens/molestus hybrids

While mosquito invasions and associated pathogens are increasingly prominent in Europe, evidence gaps remain for many northerly regions where proactive management interventions may be most effective. At the regional periphery of Europe, there remains a significant knowledge gap concerning mosquito vector distributions in Northern Ireland. This study aimed to address this major gap by systematically surveying larval and adult mosquito populations in key habitats (ponds, reedbeds, saltmarsh, wet grasslands, wet woodlands, and urban gardens). We further identified environmental drivers of important vector species abundance and screened collected specimens with molecular techniques to identify presence of cryptic human-biting vector species. In Northern Ireland, mosquitoes (including potential bridge vectors of West Nile and Usutu viruses) were found to be widely distributed. Between May and August 2025, a total of 2430 mosquitoes (951 adults and 1479 larvae) were collected over 196 trap nights and 76 larval collections. Collections encompassed 17 species, with Culex pipiens/torrentium being the most widely distributed and abundant taxon recorded. Mosquito abundances were greatest in reedbed habitats, related negatively with rainfall and peaked in June and July. A subset of Culex pipiens/torrentium mosquitoes were identified to species/biotype level using PCR, with the majority (89.3%) identified as Culex pipiens pipiens and 9.3% as Culex torrentium. Importantly, the first detections of Culex pipiens/molestus hybrids (1.8%) on the island of Ireland were found. This work underscores the wide, yet previously undocumented abundance and distribution of potential zoonotic vectors in Northern Ireland and provides an important baseline for management planning and future research, while contributing to broader understandings of environmental population drivers and distributions.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2026

First Usutu virus detections in wild birds in Scotland, 2025

In summer 2025, several Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) deaths were reported on the Isle of Arran in Scotland. Initial investigation included post-mortem examination, where no diagnosis was achieved. Following Orthoflavivirus and avian paramyxovirus testing, Usutu virus RNA was detected in two Blackbirds by reverse transcription-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis identified Usutu virus Africa 3.2 lineage which clustered closely with existing UK detections, indicating geographic expansion rather than a new incursion. Subsequent surveillance confirmed the presence of several potential mosquito vector species.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Ecology of mosquitoes in Scottish wetlands and confirmation of Culex molestus and hybrids in Scotland

BackgroundThe recent spread of mosquito-borne pathogens and their vectors within Europe highlights the impact of climate change on vector-borne disease (VBD) distributions. Mosquito surveillance has been implemented in many European countries to monitor expansion of vector populations and VBDs, but ability to predict disease risk is constrained by geographic data gaps, particularly in northern areas. In the United Kingdom, wetland mosquito surveillance has been conducted extensively in England, with a knowledge deficit for Scotland. Here, we addressed this gap through a nationwide survey of mosquitoes at Scottish wetlands, with aims of 1) confirming the geographic distribution and environmental drivers of mosquito occurrence and abundance, and 2) identifying the presence of vector species of epidemiological concern, including the Culex pipiens molestus biotype, an important vector of emerging VBDs in mainland Europe. MethodsMonthly mosquito sampling was conducted between June and October 2023 at 22 sites across Scotland comprising six wetland types: coastal saltmarsh, wet grassland, wet woodland, reedbeds, ponds and blanket bog. Adult and larval populations were sampled using Biogents BG-Pro traps and larval dipping respectively. Microclimatic and hydrological variables were recorded at collection sites and used in generalised linear mixed models to identify predictors of mosquito presence and abundance. Results1951 adults (17 species/ groups) and 860 larvae (six species/ groups) were collected from wetlands over 183 and 164 sampling events respectively. Mosquitoes were widely distributed across the Scottish mainland including up to the northern coast, being found at all but one site. Several potential vector species including Culex pipiens s.l. and Anopheles claviger were common. Amongst the adult Culex pipiens s.l. specimens, approximately 8% were Culex pipiens biotype molestus or hybrid forms. Total mosquito abundance and that of key vector species were positively associated with temperature and rainfall. ConclusionsWe report the widespread distribution of mosquitoes in wetlands throughout Scotland, including potential vector species previously unconfirmed in Scotland. Predicted associations between mosquito abundance, rainfall and temperature indicate that climate change could favour mosquito populations in Scotland. Our results provide the first comprehensive description of mosquito ecology in Scotland, as required to update assessment of VBD risk under climate change.

ecology↗