Two-Year Entomological Survey of Mosquito Fauna in the Attica Region, Greece: Species Composition

Vector-borne diseases significantly impact global public health, with mosquitoes playing a critical role in the transmission of various pathogens. This study focused on the mosquito fauna in the Attica region of Greece, conducting a two-year entomological survey from March 2021 to December 2022 as part of an ongoing mosquito-management program. The research employed stratified random sampling to establish 57 adult traps across the region, with additional traps on the islands of Argosaronikos and Kythira island. The BG-sentinel traps, enhanced with CO₂ to attract multiple mosquito species, were utilized for mosquito collection. Morphological identification of the collected mosquitoes revealed the presence of various species, with <i>Aedes albopictus</i>, <i>Culex pipiens</i> s.l., and <i>Culiseta longiareolata</i> being the most prevalent. Notably, all of our traps tested 100% positive for these species. Molecular techniques, including PCR amplification of ITS2 and COI genes, confirmed species identification. The findings highlight significant variations in species composition across different locations and emphasize the presence of invasive species such as <i>Aedes albopictus</i>, posing public health concerns. This study underscores the importance of continuous mosquito surveillance and integrated management strategies to mitigate the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the Attica region. The results contribute to the development of evidence-based mosquito-control programs, which are essential for safeguarding public health in urban and peri-urban environments.