Doreen Werner

• Dr. rer. nat.
• Researcher at Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research

Sustainable management practices are needed to reduce adverse impacts of agriculture on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of avoiding chemical synthetic pesticides with simultaneous nitrogen optimization on predator-prey dynamics of aphids (Aphidoidea) and their antagonists as well as antagonist d...

From August to October 2024, 62 specimens of the non-native mosquito species Anopheles hyrcanus were trapped in the federal state of Brandenburg, northeastern Germany. At one site, 59 specimens, and at a second site, 3 specimens were collected, with both sites located in floodplain areas, approximately 25 km apart. The records represent the norther...

Species of the widespread Obsoletus Complex (Culicoides subgenus Avarita Fox, 1955) have been implicated as potential key vectors during the bluetongue and Schmallenberg epidemics in Central Europe in 2006 and 2012. Although extensive efforts have been made to clarify vector–pathogen relationships, one of the most important steps in this process—co...

Culicoides biting midge species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of the Obsoletus Group and the Pulicaris Complex are considered the major vectors of bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses in Europe. Overwintering strategies of these arboviruses are controversially discussed, with the ongoing activity of vector species and a non-disrupted transmission cycl...

In October 2023, bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) emerged in Germany, where Schmallenberg virus is enzootic. We detected BTV-3 in 1 pool of Culicoides biting midges collected at the time ruminant infections were reported. Schmallenberg virus was found in many vector pools. Vector trapping and analysis could elucidate viral spread.

This study analyzes arthropod biomass and abundance to track the changes in arthropod occurrence in relation to pesticide use in three winter wheat cropping systems managed at different intensities (organic, conventional, and hybrid). Arthropod occurrence was surveyed using three collection tools: sweeping nets, eclector traps, and yellow traps. Sa...

The emergence of culicoid-transmitted bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses in several European countries demonstrated the ability of indigenous biting midge species to transmit pathogens. Entomologic research programs identified members of the Obsoletus Group (Culicoides subgenus Avaritia) as keyplayers in disease epidemiology in Europe. However, m...

Bluetongue virus serotype 3 emerged in October 2023 in Germany, where Schmallenberg virus is enzootic. BTV-3 was detected in a pool of Culicoides biting midges at the same time as infections were reported from ruminants. Schmallenberg virus was frequently found in vector pools, reflecting the epidemiological situation. One sentence summary line Co...

Due to globalisation and climate change, mosquito-borne pathogens are emerging in new areas on all continents, including Europe, which has recently faced outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and West Nile fever. The present study complements previous investigations to evaluate the circulation of mosquito-borne viruses in Germany, with the aim of identi...

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides occur almost globally and can regionally and seasonally reach high abundances. Most species are hematophagous, feeding on all groups of vertebrates, including humans. In addition to being nuisance pests, they are able to transmit disease agents, with some viruses causing high morbidity and/or mortality in rumin...

Background Although haemosporidian parasites may cause considerable health and economic problems in aviaries, there is limited understanding of the vectors transmitting them. Mosquito-borne Plasmodium species are responsible for the deaths of numerous exotic (= immunologically naïve) birds in zoos every year, while native birds are adapted to the p...

Background After several years without bluetongue disease, a ruminant illness caused by Culicoides-borne bluetongue virus (BTV), two new autochthonous cases were reported in 2018 in Germany. By contrast, Schmallenberg virus (SBV), another Culicoides-borne virus pathogenic to ruminants, has continuously circulated in Germany since its first emergenc...

Worldwide, citizen scientists help to map the distribution of native and introduced mosquito species in a variety of programs, contributing to environmental research and management decisions. Participant background, behavior, and engagement may vary depending on the project design, especially between those using digital apps and those using physica...

Since the first detection of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) eggs in Germany in 2007, several populations of this species have established in Germany. Although colloquially Ae. albopictus is called an 'invasive species', it is not considered 'invasive' and therefore to be controlled according to the European Union (EU...

West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes as a biological vector. Because of its biting behavior, the widespread snow-melt mosquito Aedes punctor could be a potential bridge vector for WNV to humans and nonhuman mammals. However, little is known on its role in transmission of WNV. The aim of this study was to determin...

Aedes japonicus has expanded beyond its native range and has established populations in several European countries including Belgium where the species was first reported in 2002 at Natoye. During a recent nationwide monitoring program (MEMO, Monitoring of Exotic Mosquitoes, 2017-2020), Natoye was monitored to check for the efficiency of the intensi...

Zoos and wildlife parks offer a variety of biotopes and habitats for all life stages of numerous mosquito species and are places of close encounters between mosquitoes, captive animals, wild native animals and human visitors. Since stock animals of modern zoos/wildlife parks are closely observed by their keepers and medically attended by veterinari...

Since 2012, the citizen science project ‘Mückenatlas’ has been supplementing the German mosquito monitoring programme with over 28,000 submissions of physical insect samples. As the factors triggering people to catch mosquitoes for science are still unknown, we analysed the influence of mass media reports on mosquito submission numbers. Based on a...

Mosquitoes collected from mid-December 2020 to early March 2021 from hibernacula in northeastern Germany, a region of West Nile virus (WNV) activity since 2018, were examined for WNV-RNA. Among the 6101 mosquitoes tested in 722 pools of up to 12 specimens, one pool of 10 Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes collected in early March 2021 in the cellar o...

Background The Korean bush mosquito Aedes koreicus was recently reported to have established a population in western Germany (Wiesbaden) in 2016. The species is difficult to distinguish morphologically from its close relative, the invasive Japanese bush mosquito Ae. japonicus , which is already widely distributed in many parts of Germany, including...

Aedes japonicus has established in many European countries. Our study had two objectives: (1) investigate the origin of new introductions in eastern Belgium; and (2) verify the origin of specimens that were recently recorded at Natoye, while the species was declared eliminated after control campaigns. To this end, genotypic variation at 7 microsate...

Simple Summary Members of the Simulium ornatum group are among the most abundant and widely distributed black flies in the Palearctic region. We investigated the chromosomal, molecular, and morphological diversity of this group across the varied landscape of Kyrgyzstan. Morphology and chromosomal band patterns suggested the presence of one or two s...

Culicoides are vectors of pathogens mainly of veterinary importance. To establish targeted vector control measures, it is paramount to comprehend the ecological factors determining their distribution. Therefore, we used emergence traps to sample eight biotopes and assess their potential as breeding sites. Part one of the study investigates agricult...

Besides invasive mosquito species also several native species are proven or suspected vectors of arboviruses as West Nile or Usutu virus in Western Europe. Habitat models of these native vectors can be a helpful tool for assessing the risk of autochthonous occurrence, outbreaks and spread of diseases caused by such arboviruses. Modelling native mos...

Simple Summary Many mosquito species can transmit pathogens and may pose a risk to human health. With increasing urbanization and alteration of natural habitats, the composition of mosquito communities is changing, with some species thriving particularly well in and adjacent to human settlements. In the present study, indoor mosquito collections su...

Background Aedes japonicus japonicus has expanded beyond its native range and has established in multiple European countries, including Belgium. In addition to the population located at Natoye, Belgium, locally established since 2002, specimens were recently collected along the Belgian border. The first objective of this study was therefore to inve...

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly pathogenic viral disease affecting all Suidae, with Ornithodoros moubata complex soft ticks acting as the biological arthropod vectors of the causative agent, African swine fever virus (ASFV). While ASFV is also transmissible via direct contact, pig products and fomites, other arthropods may be involved in viru...

Intensified travel activities of humans and the ever growing global trade create opportunities of arthropod-borne disease agents and their vectors, such as mosquitoes, to establish in new regions. To update the knowledge of mosquito occurrence and distribution, a national mosquito monitoring programme was initiated in Germany in 2011, which has bee...

Background Usutu virus (USUV) is a rapidly spreading zoonotic arbovirus (arthropod-borne virus) and a considerable threat to the global avifauna and in isolated cases to human health. It is maintained in an enzootic cycle involving ornithophilic mosquitoes as vectors and birds as reservoir hosts. Despite massive die-offs in wild bird populations an...

Background Aedes japonicus japonicus, first detected in Europe in 2000 and considered established in Germany 10 years later, is of medical importance due to its opportunistic biting behaviour and its potential to transmit pathogenic viruses. Its seasonal phenology, temperature and land use preference related to oviposition in newly colonised region...

Background Aedes albopictus, a vector of numerous viruses and filarial worms, has already established in 20 countries in Europe, mainly colonising subtropical regions. Continuing adaptation to climatic conditions in temperate areas would probably result in a spread to more northern European countries, producing an increasing risk of mosquito-borne...

The Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901), a potential vector of several pathogens, has recently established in North America and Central Europe. In 2013, it was found on the Slovenian-Croatian border, and during the following years, it emerged in more and more counties of northwestern Croatia. Surveillance of Ae. j. japon...

Due to the recent emergence of invasive mosquito species and the outbreaks of mosquito‐borne diseases in Europe, research on the ecology and diversity of the mosquito fauna has returned to scientific agendas. Through a nationwide surveillance programme in Germany, mosquitoes have been monitored actively by systematically operated traps since 2011,...

Background: Culicoides obsoletus is an abundant and widely distributed Holarctic biting midge species, involved in the transmission of bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV) to wild and domestic ruminants. Females of this vector species are often reported jointly with two morphologically very close species, C. scoticus and C. montanus...

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that originates from Africa and at present causes neurological disease in birds, horses, and humans all around the globe. As West Nile fever is an important zoonosis, the role of free-ranging domestic poultry as a source of infection for humans should be evaluated. This study examined the pathogenicit...

Before the background of increasingly frequent outbreaks and cases of mosquito-borne diseases in various European countries, Germany recently realised the necessity of updating decade-old data on the occurrence and spatiotemporal distribution of culicid species. Starting in 2011, a mosquito monitoring programme was therefore launched with adult and...

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopognidae) are demonstrably or putatively involved in the transmission of both bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg viruses (SBV) in Central Europe. Although these insects are ubiquitous in Europe, relatively little is known about their requirements in terms of breeding habitats and substrates. Cul...

Specimens of five species of the culicid Annulipes Group (Aedes annulipes, Ae. cantans, Ae. excrucians, Ae. flavescens, Ae. riparius), collected in the framework of the German mosquito monitoring programme, were examined for aberrant tarsal claws. Twenty types of aberrations regarding position, size, multiplication and structural modification of th...

Background: The behaviour of blood-sucking arthropods is a crucial determinant of blood protozoan distribution and hence of host-parasite coevolution, but it is very challenging to study in the wild. The molecular identification of parasite lineages in vectors can be a useful key to understand the behaviour and transmission patterns realised by th...

Background: Culicoides obsoletus is an abundant and widely distributed Holarctic biting midge species, involved in the transmission of bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV) to wild and domestic ruminants. Females of this vector species are often reported jointly with two morphologically very close species, C. scoticus and C. montanu...

West Nile virus (WNV) is a widespread zoonotic arbovirus and a threat to public health in Germany since its first emergence in 2018. It has become of particular relevance in Germany in 2019 due to its rapid geographical spread and the detection of the first human clinical cases. The susceptibility of indigenous Culex pipiens (biotypes pipiens and m...

In 2018, West Nile virus (WNV) broke out for the first time in Germany, with continuation of the epidemic in 2019, involving birds, horses and humans. To identify vectors and characterize the virus, mosquitoes were collected in both years in zoological gardens and on a horse meadow immediately following the diagnosis of disease cases in birds and h...

One year after the first autochthonous transmission of West Nile virus (WNV) to birds and horses in Germany, an epizootic emergence of WNV was again observed in 2019. The number of infected birds and horses was considerably higher compared to 2018 (12 birds, two horses), resulting in the observation of the first WNV epidemy in Germany: 76 cases in...

Background The behaviour of blood-sucking arthropods is a crucial determinant of blood protozoan distribution and hence of host-parasite coevolution, but it is very challenging to study in the wild. The molecular identification of parasite lineages in vectors can be a useful key to understand the behaviour and transmission patterns realised by thes...

Background: The behaviour of blood-sucking arthropods is a crucial determinant of blood protozoan distribution and hence of host-parasite coevolution, but it is very challenging to study in the wild. The molecular identification of parasite lineages in vectors can be a useful key to understand the behaviour and transmission patterns realised by the...

Invasive mosquito species and the pathogens they transmit represent a serious health risk to both humans and animals. Thus, predictions on their potential geographic distribution are urgently needed. In the case of a recently invaded region, only a small number of occurrence data is typically available for analysis, and absence data are not reliabl...

Some limnic copepod species are predators of mosquito larvae. Seven species belonging to the order Cyclopoida, family Cyclopidae, were collected in the field in Germany and tested for the first time in laboratory bioassays for their potential to serve as biological control agents of the invasive Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus (Theobald), a vec...

Citizen Science (CS), a term for citizen engagement in scientific research, enables large₋scale and low-cost data collection. It allows the active participation of citizens in scientific research including topics such as environmental issues, social problems and regional history, and provides room for interaction between citizens and scientists. Re...

The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus, endemic to East Asia, is one of the most expansive mosquito species in the world and has as yet established in 15 countries of Europe. Within Germany, the species has been spreading tremendously during the last years, and its four once geographically isolated populations were on the verge of merging in 2017....

The continuing spread of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, a vector of many arboviruses and some dirofilarial worms, in Europe calls for advanced investigations on its ecological ability to establish and overwinter in temperate, more northern geographic regions. To meet this purpose, eggs of Ae. albopictus laboratory strains of tropical, s...

Culiseta ochroptera is a rare mosquito species in Germany, for which little ecological data are available. It is a species of peatlands where it occurs in a variety of habitats in different mire types. These landscape elements, strongly reduced and degraded by human use, are now often protected areas. Within the scope of a Germany-wide mosquito mon...

Background The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus is an invasive species native to East Asia and has become established in North America and Europe. On both continents, the species has spread over wide areas. Since it is a potential vector of human and livestock pathogens, distribution and dissemination maps are urgently needed to implem...

Abstract After the first detection of the Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus in the year 2000 in France, its invasive nature was revealed in 2008 in Switzerland and Germany. In the following years, accumulating reports have shown that Ae. j. japonicus succeeded in establishing in several European countries. Surveillance efforts suggest t...

Because they provide a high density and diversity of vertebrate species, small water pools and shaded environments, zoological gardens offer ideal living conditions for numerous mosquito species. Depending on their host preferences and vector competencies, these species may be able to transmit pathogens between native and non‐adapted exotic blood h...

After the eradication of endemic malaria in the mid-twentieth century, research on native mosquito species was neglected in Europe for decades. With no evidence for the transmission of life-threatening pathogens, mosquitoes were not considered important vectors anymore. Public, political and scientific interest in them as vectors of disease agents...

We tested four machine learning methods for their performance in the classification of mosquito species occurrence related to weather variables: support vector machine, random forest, logistic regression and decision tree. The objective was to find a method which showed the most accurate model for the prediction of the potential geographical distri...

The culicid Culex martinii is an extremely rare species in Germany, with only one reference in the scientific literature, according to which larvae were found once in 1935 in the eastern part of the country. During regular mosquito sampling activities with BG-Sentinel traps, Cx. martinii was rediscovered in autumn 2017 at one location in the German...

Viruses transmitted to vertebrates via arthropod vectors (so-called arboviruses) include many important pathogens such as dengue virus, Zika virus, and Sindbis virus. Mosquitoes represent the major vectors of many of these arboviruses and occur in all climatic zones, including the Arctic. The focal species, Aedes nigripes (Diptera: Culicidae), is t...

The invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus has recently been observed in southern Germany for the first time to reproduce and even overwinter north of the Alps. After the accidental capture of adult specimens in Jena, German federal state of Thuringia, in mid-2015, regular inspections brought forth developmental stages until autumn 2015, in...

Due to the emergence of non-endemic mosquito vectors and the recent outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, mosquito-borne pathogens are considered an increasing risk to public and animal health in Europe. To obtain a status quo regarding mosquito-borne viruses and their vectors in Germany, 97,648 mosquitoes collected from 2011 to 2016 throughout the...

Due to their large diversity of potential blood hosts, breeding habitats, and resting sites, zoological gardens represent highly interesting places to study mosquito ecology. In order to better assess the risk of mosquito‐borne disease‐agent transmission in zoos, potential vector species must be known, as well as the communities in which they occur...

Anopheles algeriensis, a thermophilic mosquito species widely distributed in the Mediterranean, is supposed to be extremely rare and to occur in very low abundances in central and northern Europe. Being one of seven native Anopheles species, it has been reported from Germany a few times only, with all but one report several decades ago. Only in 201...

As a consequence of globalisation and climate change, mosquitoes have regained considerable relevance as vectors of disease agents in Europe. While Germany has remained largely unaffected, chikungunya, dengue, West Nile and malaria cases have recently occurred in southern Europe with increasing frequency. In addition to native mosquito species, inv...

Globalisation and climate change are the main drivers of invasion of non-endemic regions by mosquitoes. Mass transportation of people, animals and goods facilitate accidental long-distance displacement while climate warming supports active spread and establishment of thermophilic species. In the framework of a mosquito-monitoring programme, eight n...

Zusammenfassung In der tierärztlichen Praxis spielen Parasitosen und deren Bekämpfung nach wie vor eine wesentliche Rolle. Die vergangenen Jahre haben Veränderungen der Rahmenbedingungen mit sich gebracht, unter denen sich auch Parasitosen entwickeln und verbreiten können. Hier sind vor allem die fortschreitende Globalisierung mit weltweit zunehmen...

Uranotaenia unguiculata is a thermophilic mosquito species frequently occurring in the Mediterranean. Its first detection in the southern German Upper Rhine Valley in 1994 represented its northernmost distribution limit for a long time. During recent mosquito monitoring activities, two specimens of the species were trapped at different localities,...

The mosquito species Anopheles plumbeus is an aggressive biter and a potential vector of malaria parasites and West Nile virus. It occurs naturally at low population densities, as its larval development is adapted to the specific water qualities found in tree holes. However, probably owing to environmental changes, it has recently been observed in...

The citizen science project ‘Mueckenatlas’ (mosquito atlas) was implemented in early 2012 to improve mosquito surveillance in Germany. Citizens are asked to support the spatiotemporal mapping of culicids by submitting mosquito specimens collected in their private surroundings. The Mueckenatlas has developed into an efficient tool for data collectio...

This paper introduces a data science method to determine a set of features for training a vector support machine (SVM). The SVM is used to model the relationship between the distribution of one particular invasive mosquito species and climate data. Two biologists selected training data on the basis of their domain expertise. This was compared with...

The biting behaviour and the blood host preferences of vector mosquitoes are directly related to the spread of the pathogens they transmit. In order to better assess the vector capacity of mosquitoes, and thus the risk forthe transmission of disease agents, the hosts of regionally captured, blood-fed mosquitoes were identified using molecular metho...

Culicoides Latreille, 1809 midge species are the putative vectors of Bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in Europe. To gain a better understanding of the epidemiology of the diseases, basic knowledge about the overwintering of the vectors is needed. Therefore, we investigated culicoid activity in relation to air temperature at live...

The invasive Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus was first recognised as established in Germany in 2008. In addition to the first known and quickly expanding population in the southwestern part of the country, three separate populations were discovered in West, North and southeastern Germany in 2012, 2013 and 2015, respectively, by means...

Location, grid cell assignment and monitoring results of the sites checked for Ae. j. japonicus in West Germany. (XLSX)

Location, grid cell assignment and monitoring results of the sites checked for Ae. j. japonicus in North Germany. (XLSX)

In spring 2016, a German traveller returning from Martinique cultivated imported plant offsets in her home, and accidentally bred Aedes aegypti. Thirteen adult mosquito specimens submitted for identification and the traveller were tested for Zika, dengue and chikungunya virus infections, with negative results. The detection of Ae. aegypti by the ‘M...

Within the framework of a German mosquito monitoring programme, the ‘Mueckenatlas’ (mosquito atlas) has been established as an instrument of citizen participation in mosquito mapping. In 2015, a strikingly large number of Aedes albopictus, which had not been considered established in Germany, was submitted. Three of six collection sites showed loca...

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to map the current spatial distribution of Anopheles plumbeus in Germany, a potential vector of malaria parasites and West Nile virus. Reports of mass occurrence and nuisance connected with artificial breeding site usage by this species were analysed. Methods: Distribution data were collected from 201...

The Anopheles maculipennis complex comprises several sibling species including major vectors of malaria parasites of historic Europe. In present-day Europe, these species are probably more relevant with regard to transmission of pathogens other than plasmodia, such as viruses and dirofilariae. Distribution data facilitating risk assessments and mod...

The German mosquito surveillance instrument ‘Mueckenatlas’ requests the general public to collect and submit mosquito specimens. Among these, increasing numbers of individuals of invasive species have been registered. Specimens of the Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus submitted from German Upper Bavaria, where this species had not previ...

Following the emergence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in 2011, 21,397 culicoid biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from targeted and non-targeted sampling activities carried out during the summer months of 2011 to 2013 and in late 2014 in various regions in Germany were analyzed for the virus by real-time RT-PCR. While no SBV was found in bitin...

Within the framework of a national mosquito monitoring programme, a mosquito specimen collected in mid-2015 in southern Germany was identified as Aedes koreicus, a non-endemic species originating from East Asia. After the Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus, which is already established in Germany and widely distributed, and the Asian tiger mosquit...

Epidemiological analyses of vector-associated diseases such as bluetongue (BT), African horse sickness, or epizootic hemorrhagic disease require substantiated data on the species diversity and activity patterns of vector species. To this end, Spain and Italy implemented extensive Culicoides biting midge monitoring programs since 2000, as several ot...

Hematophagous arthropods and the diseases associated with them represent a growing threat to human and animal health in Europe. After the eradication of endemic malaria from Europe in the middle of the last century, there has been a resurgence of mosquitoes as significant vectors of disease agents under the influence of continuing globalisation, as...

Originally native to East Asia, Aedes japonicus japonicus, a potential vector of several arboviruses, has become one of the most invasive mosquito species in the world. After having established in the USA, it is now spreading in Europe, with new populations emerging. In contrast to the USA, the introduction pathways and modes of dispersal in Europe...