DISCOVERY OF AN EXOTIC ASIAN MOSQUITO, OCHLEROTATUS JAPONICUS, IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, USA FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE CLARK, FLOYD AND HARRISON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS Steven P. Moberly, Indiana University Southeast Brad Foster and Adam Estes, Indiana State Department of Health Douglas J. Bentfield, Clark County, IN Health Department Craig Lalor, Indiana University Southeast

SERVICE REQUEST TO IUS FROM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS 1. Assist with West Nile Virus Mosquito Monitoring 2. Plan: Collect Each Township on Rotating BasisCollect Each Township on Rotating Basis Collect Hot Spots with Mosquito ProblemsCollect Hot Spots with Mosquito Problems

IUS Implementation of Request Mobilize Student Work Force and Solicit Help of Faculty and Staff  100+ IUS students and staff in 2004  Faculty and staff provided secure collection locations  21st Century Scholars from Scott County

Four trap nights at each location Four trap nights at each location Mosquitoes taken to IUS for sorting and identification Mosquitoes taken to IUS for sorting and identification Sorted mosquitoes were tested at IUS or mailed to state health lab. Sorted mosquitoes were tested at IUS or mailed to state health lab. IUS certified for Biohazard II testing for WNV and Saint Louis Encephalitis IUS certified for Biohazard II testing for WNV and Saint Louis Encephalitis Methods

Secure Sampling Location Clark County, Indiana Chancellor’s Horse Farm

Mosquito Traps CDC approved light trap CDC approved gravid mosquito trap

Mosquito Identification Students received training in mosquito identification Culex mosquito female with blood meal

Positive Mosquito Pools Were Entered into National Databases Part of Nationwide Effort to Track WNV Part of Nationwide Effort to Track WNV State Department of Health Database State Department of Health Database Center for Disease Control Database Center for Disease Control Database WNV Report on IUS Website WNV Report on IUS Website

Discovery of Oc. japonicus, Asian rock pool mosquito On June 10, I encountered an unknown mosquito not found in any available key On June 10, I encountered an unknown mosquito not found in any available key The mosquito was labeled as unidentified and sent to the State Health Lab for a positive ID The mosquito was labeled as unidentified and sent to the State Health Lab for a positive ID Brad Foster and Adam Estes identified the specimen as Oc. japonicus. Brad Foster and Adam Estes identified the specimen as Oc. japonicus. A new species for Indiana A new species for Indiana

Positive Genetic Confirmation by Smithsonian Institution Specimens were mailed to Dina Fonseca, Ph.D. in August for genetic fingerprinting Specimens were mailed to Dina Fonseca, Ph.D. in August for genetic fingerprinting The species verification and sequencing results were mailed to us on August 26. The species verification and sequencing results were mailed to us on August 26. The results were surprising and I’ll talk about that later. The results were surprising and I’ll talk about that later.

Ochelerotaus japonicus Asian rock pool mosquito

Continued Surveillance Effort The first specimens were found at three locations in downtown Jeffersonville and in Clark County near water and train transportation centers The first specimens were found at three locations in downtown Jeffersonville and in Clark County near water and train transportation centers Research in NY and NJ strongly suggests that Oc. japonicus entered the United States in 1998 as larvae or eggs in used tire shipments. They are quickly moving west. Research in NY and NJ strongly suggests that Oc. japonicus entered the United States in 1998 as larvae or eggs in used tire shipments. They are quickly moving west. A similar mechanism could have brought them from Ohio to Indiana. However, genetic fingerprinting indicates that our mosquito is unique with a fingerprint like specimens from Hokkaido, Japan. So….how did it arrive here? A similar mechanism could have brought them from Ohio to Indiana. However, genetic fingerprinting indicates that our mosquito is unique with a fingerprint like specimens from Hokkaido, Japan. So….how did it arrive here?

Locations We’ve found the mosquito at 13 of 80 sampling locations in 2004 We’ve found the mosquito at 13 of 80 sampling locations in 2004 Of these, 10 are near the southern Indiana railway system Of these, 10 are near the southern Indiana railway system We are now finding the species in more traditional settings--containers like old tires and natural sinkholes in Harrison County We are now finding the species in more traditional settings--containers like old tires and natural sinkholes in Harrison County Moore and Mitchell, CDC, 1997 indicated positive correlation with early dispersal of Aedes albopictus and interstate transportation system and tire piles near the interstate system (significant at p<0.001). Moore and Mitchell, CDC, 1997 indicated positive correlation with early dispersal of Aedes albopictus and interstate transportation system and tire piles near the interstate system (significant at p<0.001).

STATE HEALTH LAB INFORMATION After I found the initial specimens, the State Health Lab has reported the species from the following counties: After I found the initial specimens, the State Health Lab has reported the species from the following counties: Clark, Floyd, Harrison and Washington (our specimens) Clark, Floyd, Harrison and Washington (our specimens) Crawford, Orange, Marion and St. Joseph Crawford, Orange, Marion and St. Joseph

Our work will continue next spring.