Mosquito Populations and Local Climate: A Field Study in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

In the UK, there is growing concern about the impact of climate change on vector-borne diseases carried by mosquitoes. Climate changes could lead to suitable climatic habitats for the endemic development of certain species capable of transmitting diseases such as the West Nile virus and Usutu virus. However, there is a lack of data on the distribution of urban mosquito species in the UK, which complicates efforts to model the effects of climate change on them. This pilot study involved ecological fieldwork conducted in up to seven locations in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, where mosquitoes were sampled alongside local air temperatures and relative humidity in 2023 (August to September) and 2024 (August). The sites chosen varied in urbanisation, ranging from dense vegetation to urban canal environments. Mosquitoes were captured using Biogents BG-Pro traps baited with BG-Lure, an artificial human skin scent. Species identification was carried out using a standard morphological key. A total of over 150 mosquitoes were identified across five species, with Culex pipiens s.l. being the most prevalent. This paper presents the findings of the fieldwork, including the distribution of mosquito species and the relationship between their populations and local climate. In addition, challenges encountered when using this type of trap are discussed.