MODIRISK:Monitoring of Mosquito Vectors, Longitudinal study

Knowledge of the taxonomic and functional biodiversity of both endemic and invading vector mosquito species as well as the factors driving change, is missing in Belgium. Acquiring this knowledge is an essential step towards understanding current risk and preparing for future treads. Therefore the objectives of the project MODIRISK (Mosquito vectors of disease: spatial biodiversity, drivers of change, and risk) were (1) to inventory endemic and invading mosquito species in Belgium considering environmental and taxonomic elements of biodiversity (http://www.gbif.org/dataset/6679952f-649b-4888-bd97-00daca4b8cc1) + (Collection), (2) to assess the population dynamics of endemic and invasive mosquito species and their interrelationship (This dataset) (3) to model mosquito biodiversity distribution at a one km resolution in the Benelux, and (4) to disseminate project outputs to the scientific community, end users and the general public. During the first phase (years 2007-2008), the project focused on the inventory activities; setting–up laboratory experiments for studying life history traits of Culex pipiens in relation to temperature and the first selection of models based on the field results. Whilst during the second phase of the project (years 2009-2010) the focus was on the spatial model building and validation, on the longitudinal study (this dataset) and dynamics of selected indigenous and exotic species that were found during the inventory of the first phase and on more population genetic driven research The longitudinal studies (2nd phase of the project) were conducted on selected indigenous and exotic species found during the first phase of the project. In total 33682 adult mosquitoes were collected at the four sites with the twelve traps. The project was coordinated by the Institute of Tropical Medicine (http://www.itg.be/E) in Antwerp.