ArabiaWeather - The city of Buenos Aires in Argentina was subjected to an unusual wave of invasion, but this time not from an army or aliens, but rather through an invasion coming by a destructive insect known as “Aedes Albopictus” .
This insect, which causes painful stings, carries with it the disease Western equine encephalomyelitis , which can cause the development of serious forms of meningoencephalitis.
This phenomenon usually repeats every 2 or 3 years , and depends on climatic and environmental conditions, and is represented by swarms of mosquitoes that invade the Argentine capital, covering everything in their path, according to a report published by the American CNN news network.
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is in the midst of what some are calling a mosquito 'invasion'. Videos captured on social media show clouds of the insects throughout the area, which have boomed in recent weeks after rain in the area. Heavy downpours can induce flooding… pic.twitter.com/WTsYB5boY8
— 10 News First (@10NewsFirst) February 25, 2024
Aedes albopictus has a sophisticated reproductive strategy, placing its larvae in ponds and temporary bodies of water that are submerged in water, according to Professor Maria Victoria Micheli, Professor of Natural Sciences and Director of the Center for Parasitological Studies at the University of Conisit and the Universidad Nacional de La Plata.
Although Aedes albopictus is small, ranging from 2 to 8 millimetres, it is able to lay between 100 and 300 eggs during each blood meal.
The Aedes albopictus , also known as the tiger mosquito, is found in stagnant waters and prefers urban and small-town environments. The insect bites victims during the day, especially at sunrise and sunset.
According to the World Health Organization, mosquito-borne diseases are estimated to cause about 700,000 deaths annually.
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Sources:
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