Mosquito surveys
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-06)

A list of projects and surveys targeting mosquito species in the UK.

CCHS navigation menu: CCHS homepage (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/the-centre-for-climate-health-security)Topic: health impacts (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/health-impacts) Vector-borne disease: mosquitoes (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mosquitoes)Part of: monitoring and research

Important resources for mosquito surveys:
- Summary - mosquito surveys
- Mosquito recording scheme (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mosquitoes-how-to-report)
- Invasive mosquito surveillance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/invasive-mosquito-surveillance)
- Nationwide mosquito survey (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nationwide-mosquito-survey)
- Snapshot mosquito survey (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/snapshot-survey)
- Surveillance for Culex modestus (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/surveillance-for-culex-modestus)
Summary

In addition to maintaining the Mosquito Recording Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mosquitoes-how-to-report) (in which mosquito specimins, photos, or records can be submitted), UKHSA Medical Entomology run a number of active surveillance projects targeting both invasive and native mosquitoes.

Invasive mosquito surveillance

UKHSA co-ordinate surveillance for invasive mosquitoes, conducted by local authorities and port health. The work aims to detect incursions of invasive mosquitoes. It also supports local authorities and partners to carry out control programmes to prevent establishment. The project targets high-risk sites for invasive species, such as:
- service stations
- inland border facilities
- distribution centres
- ports
- airports
These sites are most likely to receive mosquitoes that have arrived via cross-Channel traffic.

For more information, see the invasive mosquito surveillance survey (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/invasive-mosquito-surveillance).

Nationwide mosquito survey

The Nationwide Mosquito Survey provides surveillance of UK native species and the detection of novel species in England. The project provides data on seasonality and distribution of potential vector species across England. The data is used by UKHSA Medical Entomology to inform cross government risk assessments on mosquito-borne disease. The project also provides a bank of samples for arbovirus testing. UKHSA Medical Entomology works closely with nature reserve wardens, local authorities and other volunteers to run the traps at their sites.

For more information, see the Nationwide Mosquito Survey (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nationwide-mosquito-survey).

Snapshot mosquito survey

The Snapshot Mosquito Survey aims to expand mosquito surveillance in wetland habitats. It also encourages the public to get involved in mosquito surveillance across England. The survey works by identifying suitable wetland sites in every 50km grid square in England, and identifying a volunteer to run a mosquito trap there for two trapping periods during the summer months. This data allows UKHSA to assess trends and occurrence of species from sites across the country, rather than focusing on a smaller subset of sites.

For more information, see the snapshot survey (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/snapshot-survey).

Surveillance for 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, and is associated with wetland habitats, commonly found in drainage ditches.

For more information, see [the culex modestus survey] (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/surveillance-for-culex-modestus).