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Understanding Mosquito Vector Invasion Pathways: Synergistic Effects of Human Mobility, Climate and Natural Dispersal
Marta Pardo-Araujo1, Egor Kotov2,3, David Alonso1
1Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes, Spain.
Ecology Letters
|February 10, 2026
Summary
Humans are key to the spread of invasive mosquito vectors like Aedes albopictus, driving disease expansion through climate change and travel. Understanding this spread is vital for effective vector control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Epidemiology
- Climate Change
Background:
- Global rise in mosquito-borne diseases linked to invasive vector species range expansion.
- Limited data hinders understanding of vector spread mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate colonization dynamics of Aedes albopictus using human mobility and metapopulation modeling.
- Analyze the role of human movement and climate in vector spread.
Main Methods:
- Integrated high-resolution human mobility data with a thermo-biologically realistic metapopulation model.
- Utilized 20 years of Aedes albopictus invasion data from Spain.
Main Results:
- Humans act as architects of climate change, increasing vector suitability, and as dispersal vehicles.
- Vector spread occurs via fragmented human mobility networks and natural dispersal.
- Natural dispersal bridges gaps, facilitating faster and more continuous expansion.
Conclusions:
- Synergistic effects of climate, human movement, and natural dispersal are crucial for forecasting range expansions.
- Coordinated, multi-scale vector control strategies are needed in the context of environmental change.
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