# Characterizing the Bacterial Microbiome of the Invasive Vector Aedes albopictus in Hungary: A Pilot Study Using Oxford Nanopore Sequencing

## TL;DR

This study explores the bacterial microbiome of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in Hungary, revealing significant local differences in microbial diversity and resilience.

## Contribution

The study provides a high-resolution baseline for understanding microbiome variation in invasive Aedes albopictus populations using long-read sequencing.

## Key findings

- Pécs mosquitoes showed higher taxonomic richness and more complex microbial networks compared to Barcs.
- Wolbachia was dominant in both locations, but network resilience and stability differed significantly.
- Local microbiome structures suggest distinct responses to environmental changes and potential control strategies.

## Abstract

Aedes albopictus has recently established self‐sustaining populations in Hungary, but its microbiota—which may influence vector competence—remains poorly understood. We used Oxford Nanopore long‐read sequencing for full‐length 16S rRNA gene profiling of adult Ae. albopictus from two urban sites, Pécs and Barcs. Each location contributed 10 specimens, with contamination controls rigorously applied. Diversity metrics and co‐occurrence network analyses were performed using QIIME2, SparCC, and NetCoMi, with robustness assessed via simulated node removal and addition. Sequencing depth was sufficient to saturate rarefaction curves. Although alpha and beta diversity did not differ significantly between sites, the Pécs population exhibited greater taxonomic richness (100 unique taxa vs. 61 in Barcs) and denser, more clustered networks. Only 15 genera were shared, with Wolbachia dominating both communities. Networks differed in central taxa and structural properties: Pécs retained higher connectivity and shorter paths under perturbation, suggesting greater resilience. Removal of conserved taxa revealed location‐specific impacts on network stability, with Pécs more vulnerable to the loss of key genera. Negative interactions and compensatory taxa emerged post‐removal, indicating distinct reconfiguration strategies. Our findings highlight marked local variation in microbiome structure and robustness, even across a 65‐km gradient. These results establish a high‐resolution baseline for assessing how microbiota shape Ae. albopictus vector potential, informing microbiome‐based control strategies tailored to regional contexts.