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Mosquito Scotland Project

@mosquitoscotland.bsky.social

#UKRI Project 'Assessing the risk of mosquito vector-borne diseases in Scotland & their response to environmental change' https://mosquito-scotland.com

37 Posts122 Follower 35 Folgt

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 22h ago

As part of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Curious Festival, Prof Heather Ferguson is giving a talk Sat Sept 12th, 6pm about mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in Scotland, and findings from the Mosquito Scotland project. Tix free to book for in person or online: rse.org.uk/event/mosqui...

rse.org.uk

Heather Ferguson @drheatherferg.bsky.social · 2mo ago

As summer temperatures rise in the northern hemisphere & mosquitoes with them, the age old question arises: "Why do mosquitoes bite some people more than others?" 🔍 🦟 This article on #BBC Future discusses current knowledge, with comments from Prof Steven Lindsay & I www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...

Why do mosquitoes bite some people more than others?

Long before they land, mosquitoes are reading our body signals from afar. Find out if you feature high on the bloodsuckers' hit list.

bbc.co.uk

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 2mo ago

On June 3rd we held our final #MosquitoScotland project mtg at Loch Lomond. When we began 3 years ago, we knew so little about #mosquito #vectors & pathogens in Scotland. We've learned so much more. While this project is ending, our work on mosquitoes & VBDs is not -stay tuned! @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk

Panoramic view across a large loch surrounded by rolling hills and distant mountains. The foreground is filled with dark blue, gently rippling water, while green slopes rise from the shoreline on the left and stretch across the horizon. Dramatic clouds dominate the sky, with patches of bright blue visible between large white and grey cloud formations. Tree branches frame the scene from the upper left and right corners. Small islands can be seen in the distance, and sunlight breaks through the clouds to illuminate parts of the landscape, creating a striking contrast between the water, hills, and sky.

A large group of approximately 25 people stand together for a group photograph on a wet stone terrace outdoors. The terrace is bordered by glass railings and surrounded by mature trees and green lawns. Dark, heavy clouds fill the sky overhead, suggesting recent or impending rain, and the pavement reflects the damp conditions. The group is arranged in a single row facing the camera and wearing conference-style name badges. Parked vehicles and a glimpse of water are visible in the background to the right, while dense woodland forms the backdrop on the left. The photograph appears to have been taken during an outdoor gathering, workshop, or research meeting in a natural setting.

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Our team had a blast taking part in the Glasgow Science Festival over the weekend, showcasing a display and activities related to explaining the role of hashtag#mosquitoes in the environment, how you can recognize them, and what you can do to stop them breeding around your house. @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk

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A hand holds up a completed children’s activity sheet featuring a large outline drawing of a mosquito. The mosquito has been coloured with blue and green crayon on the wings and abdomen, while the head and antennae are coloured brown. Decorative gem stickers in various colours have been placed on the mosquito’s body, wings, and antennae. On the right side of the worksheet is a partially completed questionnaire with prompts such as “My mosquito’s name is,” “My mosquito likes,” and “My mosquito lays eggs,” with handwritten responses visible. The bottom of the page includes the text “This Mosquito Masterpiece was made by:” followed by a handwritten signature. The sheet is held over a blue-covered table

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 2mo ago

📢 New paper led by Dr Georgia Kirby with findings from 1st comprehensive survey of #mosquitoes across #Scotland. Results address the substantial knowledge gap on mosquito vector ecology in Scotland, as needed to assess vector-borne disease risk under #climatechange link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Illustrated map of Scotland in muted green with five circular photographs highlighting different wetland habitats across the country. The photos show flooded grassland, a wooded stream, tidal saltmarsh pools, a reed-filled wetland, and a freshwater pond with surrounding vegetation. At the center of the map, a large black magnifying glass overlays an image of a mosquito, emphasizing mosquito monitoring or research across diverse wetland environments in Scotland. The background is light grey, and no text is visible.

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 2mo ago

First paper from the project is now out - led by @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk PhD student @meshachlee.bsky.social this study evaluated of the efficiency of different trapping methods for sampling #mosquito populations in Scotland. Read here ⬇️ 🦟 link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 4mo ago

@drheatherferg.bsky.social of #MosquitoScotland & Ryan Carmichael of #MosquitoNI joined #AveryHolmes from @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk to speak to a sell out crowd at the wildlife disease ecology #PintofScience session on Mon. Great enthusiam & submissions for beer mat design context - new lab logo?

Three adults seated together in a warmly lit pub booth with red walls and framed pictures (L to R - Ryan Carmichael, Heather Ferguson & Avery Holmes). Each person is holding a clear glass printed with a skull design and the text “Pint of Science 2026.” A wooden table is in the foreground, and one person leans in from the right side of the image while the other two sit closely together on a leather bench.

A person – Heather Ferguson - stands beside a small table in a warmly lit pub, presenting to a group. A wall-mounted screen displays a slide with multiple panels of text and images. The presenter’s table holds a laptop. The room has red walls with framed circular artwork featuring birds, a single exposed hanging light bulb, and dark wood paneling along the lower wall.

A person - Ryan Carmichael - stands at the front of a warmly lit pub room beside a wall-mounted screen displaying a presentation slide titled “Mosquitoes in Northern Ireland,” with logos from several universities and research organizations. The slide includes an illustration of a mosquito and circular images of landscapes. In the foreground, several audience members sit at tables with drinks and items such as cups and a water bottle. The room has red walls, framed pictures, and exposed light bulbs, creating an informal talk or event atmosphere.

A round white coaster on a dark wooden table, decorated with a hand-drawn cartoon mosquito holding a large red drink in a glass. Around the illustration are small colorful star shapes. Handwritten text on the coaster reads, “TAKE A FUCKING SIP, BABES.”

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Posting a few weeks late -but happy (happy?) to announce that the mosquito season is now underway Scotland. Here is an egg raft (dark, bullet shaped object floating on water) of Culex pipiens - collected in Glasgow, May 1st. Let us know if see mosquitoes in Scotland here ⬇️ www.mosquito-scotland.com

A close-up of a light turquoise cup filled with pale green liquid, with a small dark bullet shaped object floating on the surface and clinging to the inside of the cup, placed on a light textured surface. THis object is an egg raft of the Culex pipiens mosquitoes, it is approxmatley ~7-8 mm long, and contains ~60-150 eggs banded together.

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Our project was proud to support the follow up investigation of these detections following identification by our collaborators at the Animal and Plant Health Agency UK and @srucnews.bsky.social @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk www.bbc.co.uk/news/article....

First cases of Usutu virus found in blackbirds in Scotland

Analysis confirmed the Usutu virus in birds found dead in Arran.

bbc.co.uk

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Breaking news- #Usutu virus has been detected in Scotland for the first time, in 2 Blackbirds from the Isle of Arran in 2025. Detection confirmed by #SRUC & #APHA, with our project conducting follow up surveillance. Public Health risk considered very low More info ⏬️ www.gov.uk/government/n...

First detection of Usutu virus in Scotland

Usutu virus has been detected in Scotland.

gov.uk

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Great 1st day at the @ukvbd.bsky.social conferenced in Liverpool, with several #MosquitoScotland team members presenting findings from their work @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk @cvrinfo.bsky.social @meshachlee.bsky.social Georgia Kirby Ryan Carmichael Lucy Devlin Aidan Desjardins Dom Brass Ross Cuthbert

Photo of 3 PhD students standing beside a poster about the project on assessing "Mosquito-borne disease risk to Northern Ireland under environmental change" , led by Ross Cuthbert at Queen's University Belfast, in whose team they are working. Left to right Lucy Devlin, Ryan Carmichael and Aidan Desjardins

Photo of PhD student Meshach Lee standing beside his poster "Assessing mosquito-borne disease risk across an urban-rural gradient in Scotland"

Picture of screen in lecture hall displaying the title slide of a presentation delivered by Dr Dom Brass, UKCEH. The slide has the title "Forecasting the risk of WNV in Europe now and in the future"

Vector-Borne Diseases in the UK @ukvbd.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Our second keynote speaker, Henriette (Jet) de Valk, discussing an exceptional year for arbovirus transmission in France in 2025 #UKVBD2026

Vector-Borne Diseases in the UK @ukvbd.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Starting off the conference with our first keynote speaker, Professor @baylism.bsky.social, discussing “The changing risk of VBDs in the UK.” #UKVBD2026

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Great article highlighting the problem of mosquito nuisance in parts of Northern Itrekand. Our project is delighted to be collaborating with #MosquitoNorthernIreland on their research. Together we will uncover more about mosquito ecology and risk in Northern UK nations www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Mosquito project welcomed in village 'plagued' by insects

A Ballykelly mum whose daughter needed treatment for mosquito bites welcomes a QUB study into insect numbers in Northern Ireland.

bbc.co.uk

Dr Steven White @drstevenmwhite.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Our new paper is now out on "Temperature-sensitive incubation, transmissibility and risk of Aedes albopictus-borne chikungunya virus in Europe". Chikungunya has a lower thermal threshold for transmission than previously thought, carrying a higher risk of outbreaks across Europe. lnkd.in/g79PzgqJ

Connor G G Bamford @connorggbamford.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Two great 4y positions up for grabs with us and Ross working on his BBSRC MosquitoNI project, with collaborators in GB. Deadlines in a week (research fellow) and 2 weeks (RA). Lots of vector ecology and modelling but also looking at what viruses can we find in our 🦟!

Ross Cuthbert@rosscuthbert.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Two *4-year* research #jobs in #mosquito vector biology at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social: (1) Research Fellow: hrwebapp.qub.ac.uk/tlive_webrec... (2) Research Assistant (part-time): hrwebapp.qub.ac.uk/tlive_webrec... We aim to unravel local vector assemblages while testing global processes

James Bullock @jmbecologist.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Worrying study by my UKCEH colleagues about human disease spread facilitated by climate change www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

Excruciating tropical disease can now be transmitted in most of Europe, study finds

‘Shocking’ data shows the climate crisis and invasive mosquitos mean chikungunya could spread in 29 countries

theguardian.com

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)@ukceh.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Chikungunya poses a greater health threat in Europe than previously thought because it can be spread at air temps as low as 13°C, a new study finds. Researchers produced a risk map showing the threat of virus transmission, spread by the Asian tiger mosquito. www.ceh.ac.uk/press/debili... 1/🧪

Heather Ferguson @drheatherferg.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Thank you to Chris Smith & the The Naked Scientists team for inviting me & other colleagues to take part in this podcast discussing #mosquitoes, their biology and behaviour, role in disease transmission & innovative strategies for #vector control www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/nak...

The mosquito: the world's deadliest animal

Buzzing to take a bite...

thenakedscientists.com

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Pleasure to visit Public Health Scotland & present results from @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social to Prof Calum Semple, Chief Scientific Advisor for Scotland, Prof Jim McMenamin & Prof Dominic Mellor. Great opportunity to discuss future #mosquito-borne disease risk in Scotland @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk

Photo of 4 people standing in front of a presentation screen in a meeting room at Public Health Scotland. On the left side, Prof Calum Semple, Chief Scientific Advisor for Scotland, Prof Heather Ferguson, University of Glasgow, and on the right side Prof Dom Mellor and Dr Jim McMenamin, Public Health Scotland. The screen has the title slide from the Mosquito Scotland presentation; reading "Investigating the risk of mosquito vector-borne diseases in Scotland and their response to environmental change"

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Happy to share new preprint led by Dr Georgia Kirby, with results from survey of #mosquitoes across Scotland ➡️ Mosquitoes were common & widely distributed ➡️ 16 different species, including some known vectors of historical malaria and emerging arboviruses www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

Figure 2 from pre-print by Georgia Kirby et al, BioxRiV , 2026 - Presenting results on the aistribution and associated wetland habitats of the most abundant adult mosquito species. On the left of figure is Panel A. A mao showing the distribution of adult-stage species throughout mainland Scotland. Trap sites within a 10-mile radius are aggregated. Panel B. Allocation of common adult-stage species by wetland type. Ribbon width indicates abundance.

Heather Ferguson @drheatherferg.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Really looking forward to this - a great opportunity to present new findings from our @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social and hear about the latest developments in vector-borne disease research in the UK. Please share 🦟

Vector-Borne Diseases in the UK@ukvbd.bsky.social · 8mo ago

We are delighted to announce registration is now open for the seventh UK Vector-Borne Diseases Conference. 31st March-1st April 2026. Register here: bit.ly/48ZQ7ee

Heather Ferguson @drheatherferg.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Thx to @laurensullivanmp.bsky.social & @malarianomoreuk.bsky.social for hosting World #Malaria Report Reception at House of Commons yesterday. Great speeches by Sabah Zita Benson, Gareth Jenkins & others - reminding #malaria community of the need to keep pushing to #EndMalaria despite challenges

Gareth Jenkins, CEO Malaria No More UK, stands at a lectern giving a speech for World Malaria Report at UK House of Commons

5 malaria researchers standing together in the hall of the UK House of Commons after attending World Malaria Report Reception. Left to Right - Prof Jackie Cook, LSHTM, Prof Teun Bousema Radboud University, Dr Kevin Tetteh FIND, Prof Chris Drakeley LSHTM, Prof Heather Ferguson University of Glasgow. There is a large painting on the wall behind them, showing a battle scene.

Dr Lauren Sullivan, Chair of All Parliamentary Group on Malaria and NTDs, stands at a lectern giving a speech for World Malaria Report at UK House of Commons

Right Honourable Sabah Zita Benson, Ghanaian High Commissioner to the UK, Gareth Jenkins, stands at a lectern giving a speech for World Malaria Report at UK House

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Excellent - many thanks for sharing @stoviesplz.bsky.social Definietely a mosquito. It is not uncommon to find a few inside houses at this time of year, when they move in to avoid cold weather. Roughly what area of Scotland are you in?

Stoviesplz@stoviesplz.bsky.social · 9mo ago

@mosquitoscotland.bsky.social December 6th - seen a few in house last few days.

Heather Ferguson @drheatherferg.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Pleasure to participate in 1st in-person meeting of the Scottish Health Protection Network's committee on #Vector-borne diseases last week. Great to meet with colleagues to brainstorm what the future of #vector-borne disease surveillance in Scotland should look like. #Ticks #Midges #Mosquitoes

Photo of Professor Dominic Mellor from Public Health Scotland standing in front of a screen with a slide reading "Scottish Health Protection Network - Vector-borne disease subgroup, Workshop, Nov 4th 2025". Photo taken while he was delivering opening remarks to the workshop

Photo of 5 participants at the Scottish Health Protection Network's Vector-borne diseases workshop; taken at the workshop on Nov 4th. Standing left to right - Dr Georgia Kirby (University of Glasgow), Prof Heather Ferguson (University of Glasgow), Dr Jolyon Medlock (UK Health Security Agency), Dr Caroline Robinson (Scottish Rural University College), Dr Chris Redman (Public Health Scotland)

MESA - the malaria knowledge hub @mesamalaria.org · 10mo ago

🚨 Funding opportunity! GLOPID-R & EDCTP launch a call to accelerate clinical trial site readiness in LMICs 🧪🌍 💰 €100k–€500k | ⏱️ Up to 24 months 👥 Consortium: 2–4 orgs incl. at least 1 LMIC partner 📅 Deadline: 14 Nov 🔗 shorturl.at/bK9tZ

Heather Ferguson @drheatherferg.bsky.social · 10mo ago

In response to the @theguardian.com editorial on the uptick in malaria due to #globalhealth funding cuts, I write how this also foreshadwos what’s ahead for a lower-profile but similarly devastating group of pathogens – the neglected tropical diseases. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Aid cuts could set back fragile gains in eliminating neglected tropical diseases | Letter

Letter: In response to an editorial on the uptick in malaria, Prof Heather Ferguson writes that progress against dengue, leprosy, rabies and other conditions could unravel

theguardian.com

Heather Ferguson @drheatherferg.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Is #climatechange increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases in the UK? My comments #BMJ ⬇️ www.bmj.com/content/391/... Short answer - yes! But rather than focussing just on tropical pathogens & vectors moving north, most imminent risk may be increased transmission capacity in native vectors

Screen shot of the 1st page of news article in British Medical Journal, Oct 31st 2025, with title "Are deadly mosquitoes, pathogen laden ticks, and waterborne infections being brought to the UK by climate change?" Article has interview with Heather Ferguson and other scientists discussing risk of vector-borne disease in the UK under climate change.

The Global Vector Hub @globalvectorhub.bsky.social · 11mo ago

🦟 #Mosquitoes arrive in #Iceland 🇮🇸 "Three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes were found in Kjós in recent days. This has been confirmed by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. It is the first time that mosquitoes have been discovered on Icelandic soil." www.ruv.is/english/2025...

Mosquitoes arrive in Iceland - RÚV.is

Three mosquitoes were found in Kjós in recent days. This has been confirmed by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. It is the first time that mosquitoes have been discovered on Icelandic soil.

ruv.is

Mosquito Scotland Project @mosquitoscotland.bsky.social · 11mo ago

Moving into Oct with temperatures & daylight hours falling in Scotland, the "peak" mosquito activity season is passing. However, some species like Culex pipiens can still be found 'overwintering'; like this one our team found on #Arran yesterday. Let us know if you see any ⬇️ mosquito-scotland.com