Climate change could see mosquitoes from the tropics thriving in New Zealand
Rising temperatures from climate change could mean mosquitoes arriving from tropical climes are more likely to survive on New Zealands shores, researchers say. A survey of the countrys mosquitoes has begun to reveal some interesting trends including more natives than expected but experts need more South Islanders, farmers, and trampers to send them their mozzies. This is the third summer of the New Zealand Mosquito Census, and researchers have already had more than 500 submissions. So far, introduced species are ruling the roost, with the southern house mosquito the most commonly-identified species, followed by the striped or ankle-biter mosquito. READ MORE: * Why mosquitoes find certain people more attractive than others * Researchers look to ancient shells for help in predicting earthquakes * Tiny or colossal, Te Papa's science collection is our heritage Around one in three specimens, however, are of one of New Zealands 13 native species. The most commonly identified was the vigilant mosquito. Te Papa's lead invertebrate curator Dr Julia Kasper said while they were off to a good start, they still needed more mozzies mailed in particularly from the South Island, farmlands, and native bush. Kasper sees herself as a mosquito advocate, and does not like people being dismissive of them. Mosquitoes are part of an ecosystem... The adults are an important food source for birds, and the larvae help clean water. The males are important pollinators, [because] they dont suck blood, they suck nectar. Females were the real biters she said, although they mostly feed on nectar too. They need the protein from blood for their eggs. I, for one, am happy to donate my blood. New Zealands native mozzies were some of the weirdest in the world, Kasper said, and best of all, most had evolved to bite birds rather than mammals. Theyre very unique, spectacular really. New Zealand has one species that only lives in very toxic hot springs, and another that breeds in coastal rock pools, called the salt pool mosquito. The salt pool mosquito has evolved to bite seals and sea lions, so can be a vicious human-biter, but Kasper said it was also one of the most primitive mosquitoes in the world. The census is one way to teach people to see mosquitoes, and nature, from a different angle. Kasper said there was always a risk exotic species could arrive via sea or airports, and the census could become a tool used for monitoring both that, and the impact of climate change. Insects react very quickly to changes in the environment, [and] there is a risk. Dangerous mosquitoes that can transmit diseases are more found in the tropics, and people think its too cold for them to establish here. But rising temperatures meant tropical stowaways were more likely to survive, she said, and if discovered early there was more of a chance they could be controlled before they spread. A lot about New Zealands mosquitoes remains an enigma, something intern Anton Hovius hoped the survey would also help with. Were just starting to see the patterns, but were still in the data-collecting period. So far a lot of the focus has been on human health, and not a lot is known about their behaviour. Even something small like spotting a mosquito active in the afternoon rather than early morning could teach them something new, he said. So far, 80 per cent of samples have come from the North Island, and most have been found in more populated areas, meaning data from native bush or farmlands is lacking. Kasper said they were particularly interested in submissions from those areas. If you bring a little container with you [when youre out and about] you can just catch mosquitoes in it. Most campgrounds have freezers around, but you can just but them in your chilly bin until you get home. Just dont shake them around, then youll shake all the little scales off we need to identify them. Te Papa needs intact, un-squashed mosquitoes so researchers can tell what species they are. If you spot a mozzie at home, place a drinking glass over it and slip some paper underneath. If youre outside, grab a small container, place it over top of the mozzie and put the lid on quickly. Make sure there is no moisture in the container as this might ruin the sample. If you find larvae in water, they can just be scooped up with a ladle or cup and freezed in a container. Next, put your container in the freezer, where the mosquito will fall asleep. Its best to leave them there overnight. Fill in the Mosquito Census form on Te Papas website, and enter details about where you found it. You will be given a unique ID number make sure you label your specimen with it (especially if sending in more than one). Finally, put your mosquito in a container like a pill bottle, matchbox, or contact lens case, and mail it in free of charge. Researchers will be in touch within five working days to tell you what species you found. Attention: Mosquito Census Te Papa PO BOX 467 Wellington FREE POST number 121326 REF: [The unique number you're provided]