The lack of rain and the heat of this June cause fewer mosquitoes
The absence of rainfall has caused a decline in the most common species in rural environments, says the biologist Miranda - El mosquito tiger, the most common in Palma
Common mosquito or trumpeter mosquito (Culex pipiens), Aedes caspius, known as marsh mosquito and The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus).
Common mosquito or trumpeter mosquito (Culex pipiens), Aedes caspius, known as marsh mosquito and The tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus).
The unusual heat recorded last June combined with the almost total absence of rainfall has contributed to fewer mosquitoes in these early summer, explains the biologist and professor of Zoology at the UIB , Miguel Ángel Miranda.
"The heat wave we have had in June has not gone well for the common mosquito (Culex pipens), which prefers lower temperatures, as well as the few precipitations we have had", the biologist points out the explanation for the scarce presence of These annoying insects in these early summer.
The population peaks of mosquitoes come with the spring rains of April and May, he continues . In agricultural areas and areas such as Sant Jordi pla, the rains cause puddles and favor the hatching of eggs laid the previous season. As this season has rained less, especially last June, where precipitation has been 98% lower than usual at this time, the populations of Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius have declined in these areas.
"With temperatures above 32 degrees, mosquitoes lose water through their breathing holes and have more problems developing, so their peaks occur in spring and autumn, when the most optimal temperature is recorded for them, around 25 degrees, "he says.
Miranda explains that these two species of mosquitoes proliferate in rural environments, especially caspius. The Culex pipiens would alternate them with urban spaces , "it is everywhere", the biologist points out, while the famous tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is eminently urban in character.
"Undoubtedly, the tiger mosquito is the most predominant now in Palma , it moves in urban and peri-urban environments, and it does not depend so much on rainfall because it grows in the pots with water and in the gardens of private properties. It also breeds in the sewers, but at a public level it is more controlled because campaigns are carried out to prevent its proliferation, "he says , recommending that the population avoid reservoirs of water where this insect can multiply.
On the bite of this mosquito, which has diurnal activity unlike its congeners, Miranda points out that, after being initially more annoying and painful, it has been assimilated by the population. "The reactions to their bites have been gradually becoming less allergic" , concludes with good news.
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