The tiger mosquito thrives thanks to relatively mild temperatures that exceed seasonal norms. “When it’s cold, mosquitoes go into diapause, that is, hibernate or even die in certain cases,” Dr. Arezki Izri, an entomologist and parasitologist at Avicenna Hospital (Saint-Saint-Denis), explained to BFMTV.
However, the current conditions are ideal for their breeding with stagnant water and mild temperatures. According to the European Union’s Platform for Adaptation to Climate Change, the temperature needs to fall below 9.5°C for the tiger mosquito to enter diapause in autumn.
Probable risk of epidemic
In addition, the current wet weather favors their reproduction. Females lay their eggs on the dry walls of containers, which can then be filled with water, allowing rapid larval development.
There are concerns about the tiger mosquito’s longer active period due to its ability to transmit tropical diseases. Since May 1, France has reported 80 cases of dengue fever not linked to travel to endemic areas.