Biting midge maps
The biting midge maps are published regularly to provide the EFSA and ECDC stakeholders, the scientific community and the general public with updated information on Culicoides distribution at ‘regional’ administrative unit level (NUTS3 or equivalent and NUTS2 in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, England (UK), Scotland (UK) and Wales (UK)). Please note that the maps do not represent the official view or position of the countries.
Distribution maps of biting midges
Distribution maps of biting midges
The maps show the current distribution of Culicoides species in Europe at ‘regional’ administrative unit level. The maps are based only on confirmed data (published and unpublished) provided and validated by experts.
Separate maps for the distribution of each of the following Culicoides species are currently available: Culicoides chiopterus, Culicoides dewulfi, Culicoides imicola, Culicoides kingi, Culicoides newsteadi s.l., Culicoides obsoletus/scoticus, Culicoides pulicaris/lupicaris and Culicoides punctatus s.l.
For biting midge species, the possible distribution statuses are:
- Present: The species has been observed to be present in at least one municipality within the administrative unit.
- Introduced: The species has been introduced in the administrative unit without confirmed establishment.
- Observed Absent: Field surveys or studies on mosquitoes were conducted but the species has not been detected within the administrative unit.
- Anticipated Absent: These are administrative units where there are no data, and where the species is anticipated to be absent, based on a distance of at least 100 km from units with observations, and unsuitable climatic conditions.
- Unknown: Data from the administrative unit may be available but there are doubts about the identification and/or the status.
- No Data: No sampling has been performed and no data on the species are available within the administrative unit.
Vector distribution status changes in terms of spatial units since the previous update
In this update, the current known distribution of the eight priority Culicoides species resulted in a total of 106 new administrative units with presence, with most new information in Slovenia (42 new unit/species presences), Montenegro (19), Lithuania (16) and Libya (14).
Culicoides chiopterus
Since the previous update (October 2023), there are two new administrative units in Lithuania where this species is currently known to be present.
Culicoides dewulfi
Since the previous update (October 2023), there are no new administrative units where this species is currently known to be present.
Culicoides imicola
Since the previous update (October 2023), there are five new administrative units, four of which in Libya, where this species is currently known to be present.
Culicoides kingi
Since the previous update (October 2023), there are four new administrative units in Libya where this species is currently known to be present.
Culicoides newsteadi s.l.
Since the previous update (October 2023), there are 28 new administrative units in six countries where this species is currently known to be present.
Culicoides obsoletus/scoticus
Since the previous update (October 2023), there are 18 new administrative units, nine of which in Slovenia, where this species is currently known to be present.
Culicoides pulicaris/lupicaris
Since the previous update (October 2023), there are 15 new administrative units, nine of which in Slovenia, where this species is currently known to be present.
Culicoides punctatus
Since the previous update (October 2023), there are 34 new administrative units, 18 of which in Slovenia, where this species is currently known to be present.
Biting midge surveillance
The surveillance maps shows the regions where surveillance activities for biting midges were held in Europe and neighbouring regions.
The map 'Biting midge surveillance effort over 2015–2019' shows the surveillance effort per administrative area, by highest surveillance type.
The map 'Seasonal active surveillance for biting midges over 2017–2019' shows the number of different calendar months in which any (active) surveillance took place per administrative area.
