# First report of Aedes albopictus in Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies) confirmed by morphological, molecular and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry approaches

## TL;DR

Aedes albopictus, a mosquito that spreads viruses, was first found in Saint Barthélemy using multiple identification methods, raising concerns about its spread to nearby regions.

## Contribution

This is the first confirmed report of Aedes albopictus in Saint Barthélemy using morphological, molecular, and MALDI-TOF MS methods.

## Key findings

- Aedes albopictus was detected in Saint Barthélemy using morphological, molecular, and MALDI-TOF MS approaches.
- The mosquito's presence poses a risk of spreading to other French and Caribbean territories.
- The study highlights the need for stronger local vector surveillance and control measures.

## Abstract

Aedes albopictus is a mosquito vector of arboviruses that is native to southeast Asia. However, this invasive species has spread worldwide. It arrived in the Caribbean in 1993, but had never been recorded in the French Territories of the Americas. We report here the first detection of Aedes albopictus in Saint Barthélemy, Guadeloupe confirmed by morphological criteria, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization—time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) gene barcoding. The presence of this invasive mosquito species in Saint Barthélemy, an island with daily aerial or maritime connections to the French Departments of the Americas, raises concerns about the risk of its introduction into these territories, as well as into other Caribbean countries. It also emphasizes the urgent need to locally reinforce vector surveillance and control measures to prevent the further spread of this mosquito vector.