Latest news with #GeorgiaKirby
STV News
01-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
Mosquitoes discovered as far north as Shetland in Scotland-wide study
As the Scottish summer draws closer many will be dreading the return of midges, however, research has found mosquitoes are reaching as far north as Shetland. It comes after members of the public were urged to share images of mosquitoes and bites in May 2024 as part of a project by scientists at the University of Glasgow. Sightings of mosquitoes were sent to the Mosquito Scotland team every month in the last year, with reports peaking in the spring and summer, but also continuing in cooler months right up to December. Mosquito Scotland is a collaborative project between the University of Glasgow, the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH). Martin Shields University of Glasgow researchers launching a citizen science tool to research mosquitos in Scotland. From L to R Dr Georgia Kirby and PhD student Meshach Lee with the mosquito trap. The team received over 700 reports of mosquitoes from across Scotland, including from Dumfries and Galloway to the Shetland Isles. The sighting in Shetland became the northernmost recording of the insect in the UK. While most of the 21 different mosquito species present in Scotland don't bite people, the study found that several species can be source of nuisance biting, indicating that human exposure to the insects is higher across the country than is commonly thought. Mosquitoes are a natural part of Scottish ecosystems, and the study is aiming to understand their biodiversity and role in it. It comes after researchers at the University of Glasgow said last year that mosquitoes found in Scotland could pose a future risk of spreading disease. Mosquitoes are known to carry diseases, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that about 219 million people contract malaria from the insects each year globally, resulting in 400,000 deaths. Although mosquitoes do not currently pose any infectious disease risk to humans in Scotland, their bites can cause itching, discomfort and local swelling. The research team want to raise awareness that people can be exposed to mosquito bites in Scotland, and provide guidance on simple precautions to prevent this. Dr Georgia Kirby, the researcher running the citizen science survey, said there were several areas of Scotland where there were lots of reports of bites but very few photos of the culprits. 'We had suspected that midges or clegs could be responsible, but in our follow-up investigations we invariably found that these locations were swarming with mosquitoes – proving that people in Scotland are good at recognising them and distinguishing them from more familiar insects,' she said. 'Most of these sites were areas of dense woodland, which is a key habitat for several aggressive human-biting mosquito species.' Professor Dominic Mellor, consultant in Veterinary Public Health at Public Health Scotland, said the project is playing a 'vital role' in understanding the species. 'In particular, the citizen science aspects are providing detailed information, previously lacking, about the presence and diversity of mosquito species that are being found across Scotland,' he added. 'Such information is invaluable in helping us understand and prepare appropriately for potential risks to public health that might arise as a result of climate change.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Mosquito warning for Scotland as hundreds of bugs found across full length of country
Reports of the biting bugs were made from Dumfries and Galloway all the way to the Shetland Islands. Hundreds of reports of mosquitoes have been made across the entire length of Scotland thanks to a citizen science project. The scheme was launched last year, asking Scots to share images of the insects as well as pictures of their bites. The team at Mosquito Scotland, led by researchers from the University of Glasgow, have received more than 700 reports since the project launched in May 2024, with the critters recorded from Dumfries and Galloway in the south to the Shetland Islands at the very north of the country. Although mosquitoes are most commonly associated with the spread of infectious diseases in more tropical parts of the world, they can be found in colder, more remote areas of Scotland, particularly in outdoor areas between May and October. And they can have a positive impact on their local environment, through their role in food webs. There are 21 species found in Scotland, and while most do not bite humans, there are some that do, however they do not currently pose a serious health risk. The researchers are hoping to understand mosquitoes' role in the Scottish ecosystem and how they interact with the public - and vice-versa - especially after discovering that nuisance biting is more prevalent than commonly thought. With the summer season on the way, an increase in reports to the Mosquito Scotland website is expected, though sightings were made every month over the last year. Mosquitoes were spotted in a wide variety of habitats and locations as part of the project, with a sighting in Shetland now the northernmost ever in the UK. Most reports were from woodland areas, particularly pine forests in the east, or indoors in urban hotspots like Glasgow. Three mosquito species - Aedes cantans, Aedes punctor and Aedes rusticus - were identified as the main source of nuisance biting in Scotland, all of which are native to the UK. Dr Georgia Kirby, the researcher running the citizen science survey, said: 'There were several areas of Scotland where we received lots of reports of bites but very few photos of the culprits – understandably, as most people don't want to hold still for a photo while they're being bitten by insects. 'We had suspected that midges or clegs could be responsible, but in our follow-up investigations we invariably found that these locations were swarming with mosquitoes – proving that people in Scotland are good at recognising them and distinguishing them from more familiar insects. Most of these sites were areas of dense woodland, which is a key habitat for several aggressive human-biting mosquito species.' Thankfully, mosquitoes don't currently pose a threat of infectious diseases to humans in Scotland, their bites can be itchy and cause discomfort or swelling. The study team are looking to raise awareness that mosquito bites can happen in Scotland and offer advice on how to avoid this, including applying insect repellent and wearing long sleeves in higher-risk situations, such as in a woodland in summer. These tips will also help against other pests like midges or clegs. Heather Ferguson, Professor of Infectious Disease Ecology at the University of Glasgow, who leads the project, said: 'We are delighted and grateful for the positive response and enthusiasm from members of the public for this project. "Their participation has helped fill large gaps in our understanding of mosquitoes both in Scotland and the UK more generally, which is allowing us to build a picture of how the biodiversity benefits, and any potential risks, posed by these species will respond to environmental change. We would love to hear more from the public in 2025.' The Mosquito Scotland project - which is a collaboration between Glasgow Uni, the UK Health Security Agency, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and incorporates the views of stakeholders from Public Health Scotland, the Scottish Government and environmental agencies - received a £1.25million grant from UK Research & Innovation and DEFRA in 2023. Professor Dominic Mellor, Consultant in Veterinary Public Health at Public Health Scotland, said: "The Mosquito Scotland project is playing a vital role in helping us to understand more about the mosquito species we have in our country. In particular, the citizen science aspects are providing detailed information, previously lacking, about the presence and diversity of mosquito species that are being found across Scotland. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Such information is invaluable in helping us understand and prepare appropriately for potential risks to public health that might arise as a result of climate change." The project is the first to assess the risks of mosquito-borne pathogens emerging in Scotland, either under current or future climate change scenarios. The team are attempting to log which species are living in Scotland, and where, as well as if they are carrying any diseases currently or could become infected with any that may expand into the UK with climate change. Dr Georgia Kirby and PhD Scholar Meshach Lee are leading efforts to trace and trap mosquitoes, collecting over 4,000 in a variety of locations. If you think you have spotted a mosquito, the Mosquito Scotland website has instructions on registering a sighting and uploading a photo. They also have information on how to identify one of the bugs, which are larger than midges and make a high-pitched whining noise while flying. The information submitted by members of the public is used to understand how widespread mosquitoes are in Scotland and which species can be found where, Dr Emilie Pondeville, who co-leads the project, said: 'We have been delighted to see such a participation to the Mosquito Scotland citizen science project. The data gathered is invaluable for understanding mosquito biodiversity in Scotland and assessing the potential risks these species may pose as the climate changes. We look forward to engaging with even more participants in 2025."
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Mosquitoes found across full length of Scotland thanks to citizen science project
Hundreds of reports of mosquitoes have been made across the entire length of Scotland thanks to a citizen science project. The scheme was launched last year, asking Scots to share images of the insects as well as pictures of their bites. The team at Mosquito Scotland , led by researchers from the University of Glasgow, have received more than 700 reports since the project launched in May 2024, with the critters recorded from Dumfries and Galloway in the south to the Shetland Islands at the very north of the country. Although mosquitoes are most commonly associated with the spread of infectious diseases in more tropical parts of the world, they can be found in colder, more remote areas of Scotland, particularly in outdoor areas between May and October. And they can have a positive impact on their local environment , through their role in food webs. There are 21 species found in Scotland, and while most do not bite humans, there are some that do, however they do not currently pose a serious health risk. The researchers are hoping to understand mosquitoes' role in the Scottish ecosystem and how they interact with the public - and vice-versa - especially after discovering that nuisance biting is more prevalent than commonly thought. With the summer season on the way, an increase in reports to the Mosquito Scotland website is expected, though sightings were made every month over the last year. Mosquitoes were spotted in a wide variety of habitats and locations as part of the project, with a sighting in Shetland now the northernmost ever in the UK. Most reports were from woodland areas, particularly pine forests in the east, or indoors in urban hotspots like Glasgow . Three mosquito species - Aedes cantans, Aedes punctor and Aedes rusticus - were identified as the main source of nuisance biting in Scotland, all of which are native to the UK. Dr Georgia Kirby, the researcher running the citizen science survey, said: 'There were several areas of Scotland where we received lots of reports of bites but very few photos of the culprits – understandably, as most people don't want to hold still for a photo while they're being bitten by insects. 'We had suspected that midges or clegs could be responsible, but in our follow-up investigations we invariably found that these locations were swarming with mosquitoes – proving that people in Scotland are good at recognising them and distinguishing them from more familiar insects. Most of these sites were areas of dense woodland, which is a key habitat for several aggressive human-biting mosquito species.' Thankfully, mosquitoes don't currently pose a threat of infectious diseases to humans in Scotland, their bites can be itchy and cause discomfort or swelling. The study team are looking to raise awareness that mosquito bites can happen in Scotland and offer advice on how to avoid this, including applying insect repellent and wearing long sleeves in higher-risk situations, such as in a woodland in summer. These tips will also help against other pests like midges or clegs. Heather Ferguson, Professor of Infectious Disease Ecology at the University of Glasgow, who leads the project, said: 'We are delighted and grateful for the positive response and enthusiasm from members of the public for this project. "Their participation has helped fill large gaps in our understanding of mosquitoes both in Scotland and the UK more generally, which is allowing us to build a picture of how the biodiversity benefits, and any potential risks, posed by these species will respond to environmental change. We would love to hear more from the public in 2025.' The Mosquito Scotland project - which is a collaboration between Glasgow Uni, the UK Health Security Agency, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and incorporates the views of stakeholders from Public Health Scotland, the Scottish Government and environmental agencies - received a £1.25million grant from UK Research & Innovation and DEFRA in 2023. Professor Dominic Mellor, Consultant in Veterinary Public Health at Public Health Scotland, said: "The Mosquito Scotland project is playing a vital role in helping us to understand more about the mosquito species we have in our country. In particular, the citizen science aspects are providing detailed information, previously lacking, about the presence and diversity of mosquito species that are being found across Scotland. "Such information is invaluable in helping us understand and prepare appropriately for potential risks to public health that might arise as a result of climate change." The project is the first to assess the risks of mosquito-borne pathogens emerging in Scotland, either under current or future climate change scenarios. The team are attempting to log which species are living in Scotland, and where, as well as if they are carrying any diseases currently or could become infected with any that may expand into the UK with climate change. Dr Georgia Kirby and PhD Scholar Meshach Lee are leading efforts to trace and trap mosquitoes, collecting over 4,000 in a variety of locations. If you think you have spotted a mosquito, the Mosquito Scotland website has instructions on registering a sighting and uploading a photo. They also have information on how to identify one of the bugs, which are larger than midges and make a high-pitched whining noise while flying. The information submitted by members of the public is used to understand how widespread mosquitoes are in Scotland and which species can be found where, Dr Emilie Pondeville, who co-leads the project, said: 'We have been delighted to see such a participation to the Mosquito Scotland citizen science project. The data gathered is invaluable for understanding mosquito biodiversity in Scotland and assessing the potential risks these species may pose as the climate changes. We look forward to engaging with even more participants in 2025."
The Herald Scotland
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Mosquitoes found as far north as Shetland in new study
The project, which was awarded a £1.25 million grant from UK Research and Innovation and Defra in 2023, is the first to assess the risk of mosquito-borne pathogen emergence in Scotland under current and future climate change scenarios. Since May 2024, members of the public have sent researchers hundreds of images of 21 species of mosquito, and pictures of bites. Mosquitoes are a natural part of Scottish ecosystems and can have positive impacts on the environment through their role in food webs, according to researchers. They said they do not pose a health risk at present, and can be mistaken for midges. READ MORE: Loch Lomond campaign launched to form 'deeper' nature connection Scottish island awarded Global Geopark status by UNESCO 'Ambitious' project to catalogue Scotland's ancient trees begins As mosquito activity in Scotland picks up moving towards summer, the Mosquito Scotland team are urging the public to continue sending in sightings, which will enable the project to accurately track and understand the ecology of the insects, after they began to spread avian malaria in England. Sightings of mosquitoes were sent to the Mosquito Scotland team every month in 2024, with reports peaking in the spring and summer but also continuing in cooler months right up to December, according to reports submitted online. Mosquitoes were spotted across the length and breadth of Scotland, with a sighting in the Shetland Isles now the northernmost record for the UK. Reports show they are most commonly reported in woodland areas – particularly in pine forests in the east of Scotland, as well as indoors in cities. Researchers were able to confirm three mosquito species, Aedes cantans, Aedes punctor and Aedes rusticus, were the main source of nuisance biting. Researchers aim to find out which mosquito species are present, where they are found, whether they are harbouring any diseases, or if they could become infected by pathogens that may expand into the UK with climate change. Mosquitoes can be found in colder, more remote parts of Scotland, where they are most active from May to October. Dr Georgia Kirby said: 'There were several areas of Scotland where we received lots of reports of bites but very few photos of the culprits – understandably, as most people don't want to hold still for a photo while they're being bitten by insects. 'We had suspected that midges or clegs could be responsible, but in our follow-up investigations we invariably found that these locations were swarming with mosquitoes – proving that people in Scotland are good at recognising them and distinguishing them from more familiar insects. 'Most of these sites were areas of dense woodland, which is a key habitat for several aggressive human-biting mosquito species.' Researchers advised using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves during summer months when mosquitoes are active in forested areas, which also protects against other biting pests such as ticks and midges. Heather Ferguson, professor of infectious disease ecology at the University of Glasgow, who leads the project, said: 'We are delighted and grateful for the positive response and enthusiasm from members of the public. 'Their participation has helped fill large gaps in our understanding of mosquitoes both in Scotland and the UK, which is allowing us to build a picture of how the biodiversity benefits, and any potential risks, posed by these species will respond to environmental change. 'We would love to hear more from the public in 2025.'
The Independent
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Mosquitoes found as far north as Shetland in study examining pathogen risk
Mosquitoes have been found as far north as Shetland, according to a citizen science project which studied the insects. Scientists at the University of Glasgow received more than 700 reports of mosquitoes across Scotland, which found they can live even in colder months including December. The project, which was awarded a £1.25 million grant from UK Research and Innovation and Defra in 2023, is the first to assess the risk of mosquito-borne pathogen emergence in Scotland under current and future climate change scenarios. Since May 2024, members of the public have sent researchers hundreds of images of 21 species of mosquito, and pictures of bites. Mosquitoes are a natural part of Scottish ecosystems and can have positive impacts on the environment through their role in food webs, according to researchers. They said they do not pose a health risk at present, and can be mistaken for midges. As mosquito activity in Scotland picks up moving towards summer, the Mosquito Scotland team are urging the public to continue sending in sightings, which will enable the project to accurately track and understand the ecology of the insects, after they began to spread avian malaria in England. Sightings of mosquitoes were sent to the Mosquito Scotland team every month in 2024, with reports peaking in the spring and summer but also continuing in cooler months right up to December, according to reports submitted online. Mosquitoes were spotted across the length and breadth of Scotland, with a sighting in the Shetland Isles now the northernmost record for the UK. Reports show they are most commonly reported in woodland areas – particularly in pine forests in the east of Scotland, as well as indoors in cities. Researchers were able to confirm three mosquito species, Aedes cantans, Aedes punctor and Aedes rusticus, were the main source of nuisance biting. Researchers aim to find out which mosquito species are present, where they are found, whether they are harbouring any diseases, or if they could become infected by pathogens that may expand into the UK with climate change. Mosquitoes can be found in colder, more remote parts of Scotland, where they are most active from May to October. Dr Georgia Kirby said: 'There were several areas of Scotland where we received lots of reports of bites but very few photos of the culprits – understandably, as most people don't want to hold still for a photo while they're being bitten by insects. 'We had suspected that midges or clegs could be responsible, but in our follow-up investigations we invariably found that these locations were swarming with mosquitoes – proving that people in Scotland are good at recognising them and distinguishing them from more familiar insects. 'Most of these sites were areas of dense woodland, which is a key habitat for several aggressive human-biting mosquito species.' Researchers advised using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves during summer months when mosquitoes are active in forested areas, which also protects against other biting pests such as ticks and midges. Heather Ferguson, professor of infectious disease ecology at the University of Glasgow, who leads the project, said: 'We are delighted and grateful for the positive response and enthusiasm from members of the public. 'Their participation has helped fill large gaps in our understanding of mosquitoes both in Scotland and the UK, which is allowing us to build a picture of how the biodiversity benefits, and any potential risks, posed by these species will respond to environmental change. 'We would love to hear more from the public in 2025.'
