Figure 1 - Current distribution of Aedes albopictus in Europe, January 2008

The map shows the current distribution of Aedes albopictus at ‘regional’ administrative levels (NUTS3 or LAU1; 52 states, microstates, or dependencies; members of the European Union, and/or located in Europe or geographically close to it). Regions are colour-coded:

• orange: the species was observed at least in one municipality;
• purple: the species was only observed indoors (in greenhouses);
• green: surveys and studies on mosquitoes were conducted during the last five years (2003–2007) and no specimen of Aedes albopictus was reported;
• pale yellow: no recent (last five years) data on mosquito fauna is available to local scientists (see list of network contacts in the report);
• grey: no information is available on the existence of studies on mosquito fauna;
  
• white: countries not included in this study.
  

Only confirmed data were used, most of them provided by experts in the respective countries. In 2007, Aedes albopictus was observed at least once in 15 states. The species has homogenous populations, generally associated with complaints about nuisance biting, and could be considered as spreading in 11 countries and micro-states: Albania, Croatia, France, Greece, Monaco, Montenegro, Italy, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain and Vatican City. Isolated foci exist in these countries, as well as in others. The species has been regularly introduced into southern Switzerland, and sustained control measures prevented its establishment and spread until 2006, but recent data suggest a continuing spread. It is present in isolated foci in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but information is too scarce to confirm this with more accuracy. Despite the fact that the mosquito has been regularly introduced, it cannot be considered as established. It is regularly (re-)introduced in the Netherlands but it has not yet been observed spreading outside greenhouses, therefore it cannot be considered as established in this country. It was observed once in 2007 in Germany and in Switzerland (north of the Alps), but its establishment in these regions is not yet proven. It was observed also in Belgium in 2000 but the species is no longer present.

Information on presence/absence varies in quality, and ranges from national and regular surveillance to a total absence of surveillance or studies; green, white and grey indicate information quality.