The global compendium of Aedes japonicus: An Underappreciated Arbovirus Vector of growing concerns

The Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus (Theobald, 1901), is an invasive species and a competent vector for several arboviruses, including chikungunya virus, dengue virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. Field studies have also detected La Crosse virus in wild populations, further supporting its potential role in arbovirus transmission. To address the fragmented and incomplete state of knowledge regarding its spread, we have assembled a global dataset of documented presences from 1950 to 2025. This data descriptor presents a curated database of geolocated records, formatted as points, derived primarily from peer-reviewed literature and supplemented with validated national survey data and selectively integrated records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) following rigorous quality control. We detail the methodology for data acquisition, coordinate assignment, and the rigorous validation steps applied. This first comprehensive repository specifically for Ae. japonicus, containing 4618 validated records, provides a critical resource for spatial mapping and risk assessment of this vector and its associated pathogens.