Here are the municipalities where it was detected (interactive map)

Belgium is faced. For example, like other countries, with the more sustainable installation of the tiger mosquito in its territory. However, In 2024, these insects were reported in 21 municipalities, including twelve for the first time. Moreover, Mosquitoes are the largest transmitter group of pathogens to human beings, hence the need for reinforced monitoring. Nevertheless,

It generally measures only four to five millimeters, but causes enormous worries. Furthermore, The mosquito Aedes albopictusmore commonly called Tiger mosquito, is one of the most dreaded invasive species. In addition, It constitutes a threat to public health in Belgium. Furthermore, Europe, by being the potential vector of introduction of new pathogens.

Observed for the first time in Belgium in 2000, imported via used tires, the tiger mosquito has gradually taken up residence. However, Since 2013, the insect has been found each year on Belgian here municipalities where it detected territory. In addition, Of the field inspections led last year by the Institute of Tropical Medicine of Antwerp (IMT) have confirmed the wintering of the speciesor its ability to survive winter, ath, Kessel-Lo and Puurs-Sint-Amands. Similarly, By adding the two municipalities where the wintering had been confirmed in 2023. Consequently, in Wilrijk and Lebbeke, this brings five the total number of localities where the Tiger mosquito is now established in Belgium.

But the insect sticker has been detected in many other places. Similarly, The notifications of mosquitoes by citizens, on the dedicated platform of Sciensano, allow you to follow its installation areas. Similarly, Some 21 municipalities were affected in 2024. Therefore, including twelve news: Ath, Baudour (Saint-Ghislain), Berchem (Anvers), Boom, Bruxelles, Evergem, Forest (Bruxelles), Gand, Hoegaarden, Humbeek (Grimbergen), Kessel-Lo, Leuven, Melle, Puurs-Sint-Amands, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Schelle, Verviers, Vilvoorde, Wolfsdonk (Aarschot), Wijnegem, Wilrijk (Anvers). However, Au Total. Consequently, Entre 2022 here municipalities where it detected et 2025, Le Moustique Tigre a été Signalé Dans 35 Communes via La Surveillance Citoyenne, Dont Quatre Communes and Wallonie, à Ath, Herstal, Saint-Ghislain et Verviers.

Water and heat promote installation

This free participation means that there can be an underestimation of the problem. For example, But media attention and prevention campaigns around the tiger mosquito allow you to mix this risk. “It is possible that not all of the tiger mosquitoes are reported to us. This is why we invite the population to actively participate in monitoring on our site. via the dedicated application (Android or iPhone). Currently. Flanders communicates more And we receive more notifications in the north of the country, ”recognizes Javiera Rebolledo Romero, epidemiologist at Sciensano and coordinator of the exotic mosquito surveillance project.

The expert also here municipalities where it detected recalls that a report in a commune does not mean that the tiger mosquito is present there. everywhere. “It will always be in specific and well -localized places. He likes heat and looking for standing water to reproduce there. It can sometimes be a simple plant cup. a children’s toy lying around in the garden with a water background. Just remove this stagnant water to prevent it from reproducing. We must also see thatAlbopictus adapts very well in urban areasdenser, where it easily finds artificial containers with stagnant water to reproduce there. This is a potential reason that can explain its greater presence in Flanders, ”she explains.

In addition to the Belgian situation, that in Europe is also monitored. The ECDC, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, keeps updated the installation of the Diptera. The areas have increased over the years, confirming theAdaptation of this exotic here municipalities where it detected mosquito to the European climate. With a certainty: the global warming promotes its ascent north of the continent. The latest data produced by ECDC show the sub-region with. without the presence of the mosquito, knowing that a red zone does not mean that all of which is invaded, but that the insect has installed there somewhere.

Here municipalities where it detected

Tiger mosquito bite and behavior

Humans, mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians make up the tiger mosquito menu, which feeds on blood to allow the development of its eggs. In addition to its resistance. acclimatization, the tiger mosquito is also characterized by his very aggressive behavior when he seeks to feed –Lower “bite and suck the blood” of its hosts. He is more active the day. rather outsideunlike here municipalities where it detected the native mosquito in Belgium which is mainly feast after sunset and inside.

“It is indeed very insistent, which creates well visible nuisances. When a population of several individuals seeks to sting, the people targeted will be truly inconvenienced. We see places. especially in the south of France, where It becomes difficult to go out in the garden or on the terrace when tiger mosquitoes are looking for hosts to eat», Détaille Javiera Rebolledo Romero.

Regarding the diseases he can transmit, calm currently prevails. “The tiger mosquito can be a vector of the viruses of the ugue. chikunguya eti Zikaunlike the native mosquitoes that we have in Belgium. But for it to be able to transmit them. it takes three conditions: that it is definitively established on a territory, that a person returning from a trip is infected, that the mosquito stings this person and then another. We are still at an here municipalities where it detected early stage in his arrival in Belgiumthere is therefore still time to act in order to limit its spread. ”says the expert of Sciensano.

Differentiate the exotic Aedes albopictus of his Belgian cousins Culex pipiens (common domestic mosquito). Collected Collected (ringed cousin) is not always easy. The first shares several physical resemblances to the native mosquito in Belgium. but has two main distinctive features: a unique white line takes shape at the back of his head, on his back, while his legs have a “tiger” pattern, alternating five white scratches on a black background. The tips of the tiger mosquito is completely whiteunlike other exotic mosquitoes. The idea is sometimes widespread. but the tiger mosquito is no bigger or large than the “Belgian” mosquito, on the contrary.

The Asian forest mosquito. says Aedes japonicusis more like albopictusbut only has three white stripes on the legs, which end with a last black section. Other exotic species can evoke the tiger mosquito, but have sometimes more elaborate patterns on the back. “”The tiger mosquito is really white and black. Any trace of another color will confirm that it is not this species. As for wanting to identify eggs. larvae of tiger mosquitoes to get rid of them preventively, this requires too much expertise, ”says Javiera Rebolledo Romero.

The presence of the tiger mosquito should logically increase in Belgium In the coming years. hence the importance of following its installation, to anticipate public health risks. A work with which citizens are associated via voluntary reports on surveillancemoustic.be.