First record of Aedes albopictus in Slovakia

During a routine inspection of the mosquito fauna in the Košická Basin (Eastern Slovakia), in one of the monitored locations we have caught 4 females of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus, using the CO2 baited CDC traps. Occurrence of this particular mosquito has already been reported in many European countries; in Slovakia, however, this is the first finding ever. The finding of Ae. albopictus extends the list of the mosquito fauna in Slovakia to 50 species and Slovakia thus ranks among other 20 European countries where this mosquito was observed. The presence of Ae. albopictus increased the probability of transmission of canine and human dirofilariosis in urban environment.