Surveillance for Culex modestus
Culex modestus is a bridge vector for West Nile Virus and is associated with wetland habitats.
Applies to England
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Topic: health impacts
Vector-borne disease: mosquitoes
Part of: monitoring and research
Important resources for Culex modestus:
- Surveillance for Culex modestus
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Culex modestus
Culex modestus is considered an important vector and principle bridge vector for West Nile Virus. It has been implicated in outbreaks in humans and equids in Europe. It feeds readily on both birds and mammals, including humans. It is associated with wetland habitats and commonly found in drainage ditches.
Figure 1: Example of habitat, North Kent marshes
Historic records and rediscovery in the UK
Culex modestus was first detected in the UK on Hayling Island in 1944, however only a handful were reported in 1944 and 1945, and it was believed to be absent in the UK. In 2010 however, Cx. modestus was found in the North Kent marshes. Targeted surveillance in the region found it had established, with records in this region every year since. Surveillance in 2016 found Cx. modestus larvae in Cambridgeshire.
Current distribution in England
As of 2024, Culex modestus is now known to be present in Hampshire, West Sussex, Kent, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Larvae have also been found in Dorset, but not since 2014, despite larval and adult surveillance in the area. Below is the most recent map showing distribution.
Figure 2: Recorded distribution of Culex modestus (2024)
