Mosquitoes found as far north as Shetland in study examining pathogen risk
Mosquitoes have been found as far north as Shetland, according to a citizen science project which studied the insects.
Scientists at the University of Glasgow received more than 700 reports of mosquitoes across Scotland, which found they can live even in colder months including December.
The project, which was awarded a £1.25 million grant from UK Research and Innovation and Defra in 2023, is the first to assess the risk of mosquito-borne pathogen emergence in Scotland under current and future climate change scenarios.
Since May 2024, members of the public have sent researchers hundreds of images of 21 species of mosquito, and pictures of bites.
Mosquitoes are a natural part of Scottish ecosystems and can have positive impacts on the environment through their role in food webs, according to researchers. They said they do not pose a health risk at present, and can be mistaken for midges.
As mosquito activity in Scotland picks up moving towards summer, the Mosquito Scotland team are urging the public to continue sending in sightings, which will enable the project to accurately track and understand the ecology of the insects, after they began to spread avian malaria in England.
Sightings of mosquitoes were sent to the Mosquito Scotland team every month in 2024, with reports peaking in the spring and summer but also continuing in cooler months right up to December, according to reports submitted online.
Mosquitoes were spotted across the length and breadth of Scotland, with a sighting in the Shetland Isles now the northernmost record for the UK.
Reports show they are most commonly reported in woodland areas – particularly in pine forests in the east of Scotland, as well as indoors in cities.
Researchers were able to confirm three mosquito species, Aedes cantans, Aedes punctor and Aedes rusticus, were the main source of nuisance biting.
Researchers aim to find out which mosquito species are present, where they are found, whether they are harbouring any diseases, or if they could become infected by pathogens that may expand into the UK with climate change.
Mosquitoes can be found in colder, more remote parts of Scotland, where they are most active from May to October.
Dr Georgia Kirby said: 'There were several areas of Scotland where we received lots of reports of bites but very few photos of the culprits – understandably, as most people don't want to hold still for a photo while they're being bitten by insects.
'We had suspected that midges or clegs could be responsible, but in our follow-up investigations we invariably found that these locations were swarming with mosquitoes – proving that people in Scotland are good at recognising them and distinguishing them from more familiar insects.
'Most of these sites were areas of dense woodland, which is a key habitat for several aggressive human-biting mosquito species.'
Researchers advised using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves during summer months when mosquitoes are active in forested areas, which also protects against other biting pests such as ticks and midges.
Heather Ferguson, professor of infectious disease ecology at the University of Glasgow, who leads the project, said: 'We are delighted and grateful for the positive response and enthusiasm from members of the public.
'Their participation has helped fill large gaps in our understanding of mosquitoes both in Scotland and the UK, which is allowing us to build a picture of how the biodiversity benefits, and any potential risks, posed by these species will respond to environmental change.
'We would love to hear more from the public in 2025.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
13 hours ago
- The National
Tony Blair think tank 'advising' Scottish Labour on health policy
The Sunday Times reports that the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is working with Anas Sarwar's party to develop new policies for the health service ahead of the Scottish Parliament election next year. Former prime minister Blair has previously suggested the NHS should use private healthcare providers to cut waiting times. He also joined ex-Tory leader William Hague in suggesting the NHS should sell anonymised medical records to boost public services and research in 2024. The SNP said the move was 'truly beyond belief'. READ MORE: Fergus Ewing says SNP will 'throw everything' at his MSP bid The newspaper reports that the TBI is working for no fee and is believed to be developing a 'specific piece of work' for Scottish Labour. This is understood to be related to how to improve access to GPs and prevention of health issues, as well as proposals on how 'more effective use of technology solutions' could be used to drive down record waiting lists for operations. The TBI has more than 800 staff and works in more than 40 countries, with a focus on harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies to reform how governments run and deliver public services. However, the Times added that even senior figures close to Sarwar admitted they were not aware of Blair's involvement in the Holyrood campaign. Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour's health spokesperson, said: 'Our NHS is stretched to breaking point and technology is a way to ease that pressure — but the SNP is squandering the opportunity. 'From GP practices using fax machines to doctors relying on pagers, the SNP is running an analogue health service in a digital age. GPs have been sounding the alarm about how a woeful lack of basic IT is holding them back — it's time we have a government that will listen. 'A Scottish Labour government will put Scotland on the cutting edge of medical innovation and modernise our NHS so it is fit for the future.' A Tony Blair Institute spokesman said: 'We are always happy to talk to any and all political parties who are interested in our work, all of which is published and publicly available. 'The conversations we have had with Scottish Labour are specifically around how our health policy proposals could apply to healthcare in Scotland. We intend to publish this work regardless of the outcome of the election.' READ MORE: Keir Starmer accused of 'gaslighting' statement on US bombing of Iran Angus Robertson, Constitution Secretary and chair of the SNP's campaign committee said the move showed Scottish Labour have 'no vision for Scotland's future'. 'Rather than listening to the people of Scotland, they can only look backwards at a discredited, unpopular figure like Tony Blair,' he said. SNP MSP Clare Haughey added: 'That Anas Sarwar is taking advice on health from an organisation which has previously called for the selling of NHS patient's data for money is truly beyond belief. 'It is unbelievable that Scottish Labour are looking to the man that led us into the disastrous Iraq war to tell them what is best for Scotland. "The SNP is the only party with a clear plan to build a better future for Scotland - improving our NHS, supporting families and workers through the cost-of-living crisis and creating new opportunities with the powers of independence."
The National
18 hours ago
- The National
The Scottish universities accept millions from firms linked to China
Some universities accepted money from companies and institutions with ties to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in China, including those which are sanctioned by other countries. Other universities took funding from institutions and tech firms accused of helping the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) spy on and target users, spread misinformation and abuse human rights. The director-general of MI5 last year warned vice-chancellors that China and other states the UK Government views as adversaries are attempting to steal technology from universities that can 'deliver their authoritarian, military and commercial priorities'. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China said The Ferret's research suggests that funding from CCP-linked organisations in Scottish higher education is particularly prevalent. This, it claimed 'should be a matter of deep concern for ministers and the wider Scottish public'. READ MORE: Labour blasted as 'deeply authoritarian' over plans to proscribe Palestine Action However, the Chinese Embassy in London has accused critics and media outlets of 'politicising and stigmatising normal educational exchanges between the two countries'. It has denied the use of subversive tactics abroad and argues that research collaboration with UK universities has 'enhanced mutual understanding'. The Ferret asked Scotland's universities to disclose funding they received from Chinese organisations between 2020/21 and 2024/25. Ten universities collectively received at least £39.7 million of funding. Of that, £5.5m came from organisations allegedly linked to the military, human rights abuses or spying, or was used to fund controversial Confucius Institutes. These are CCP-funded educational and cultural programmes on UK campuses which have been accused of monitoring and censoring UK students, and pushing propaganda. Dundee University refused The Ferret's request while others withheld some information which, they argued, was commercially sensitive. As such, the true total could be higher. Edinburgh University received more than £11m in research funding from unnamed Chinese organisations but it did not provide further detail. The university said it was not feasible to provide a complete list of possible funding from China. Some of Edinburgh Napier University's funding, £1.2m, came from unnamed Chinese partners for transnational education programmes. St Andrews University would only provide funding information for named organisations, rather than any from China. Military links SOME universities accepted money from Chinese organisations with military ties. Strathclyde University received £130,000 in research funding from Wuxi Paike New Materials Technology, which makes metal forgings for the Chinese military. Strathclyde did not specify when it received the money from the firm, which was sanctioned by the US government in December 2020 due to its military links. Strathclyde also accepted £22,100 for 'research studentship/knowledge exchange' from the Chinese Academy of Sciences on an undisclosed date. The academy is designated 'medium risk' by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), due to its alleged weapons research. ASPI is a defence think tank founded by the Australian Government. It has been described as having a hawkish stance on China and has received funding from overseas governments, including the US and UK, as well as the defence industry. In 2020, a drone submarine developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences was found by an Indonesian fisherman in the South China Sea and thought to be on a possible covert mission by military observers. The following year, in October 2021, Robert Gordon University (RGU) was given £46,820 by the academy to research spectral imaging – a method of capturing highly detailed images. An RGU spokesperson said the research collaboration was transferred to the university in 2021 after it appointed a professor from Strathclyde who was working on the project. The collaboration ended in 2023. In April this year, The Times reported that RGU, Aberdeen and Strathclyde universities were among 23 UK institutions to have signed an agreement with Chinese institutions with alleged military links, despite warnings from MI5. Surveillance and spying allegations SOME universities accepted money from tech firms, including those accused of helping the CCP to spy on users, and spread misinformation. Heriot-Watt University received between £150,000 and £200,000 from tech firm Huawei to research wireless communications hardware between November 2020 and November 2021. In July 2020, it was announced that Huawei will be banned from UK infrastructure by the end of 2027 over fears it could facilitate spying from China. In 2019, we reported that universities and Police Scotland refused to sever links with the tech giant despite fears their devices may be used to spy for Beijing. Huawei has previously said it had never been asked by the CCP to spy and 'would categorically refuse to comply'. In 2022/23, Edinburgh University accepted £127,973 from tech firm, Tencent, to fund a research project called 'serving big machine learning models'. Allegations of mass surveillance and human rights abuses by Tencent were reported years earlier. READ MORE: Scottish Government announces £3 million in funding for 14 festivals CCP committees within Tencent ensure that the state's 'political goals are pursued', according to a 2020 study from ASPI. A 2022 report from Human Rights Watch claimed that via its messaging app, WeChat, Tencent 'censors and surveils' users on the CCP's behalf and 'hands over user data to authorities when 'sensitive' information is discovered'. 'There have been numerous reports about people getting harassed, detained, or imprisoned for their private messages on WeChat,' it added. A 2020 study from the University of Toronto found that WeChat also monitored users outwith China. Tencent has rejected claims that the CCP uses WeChat for spying. WeChat reportedly spread Russian propaganda and misinformation surrounding Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, while suppressing posts sympathetic to Kyiv, but Tencent declined to comment on the claims. In January, the US added Tencent to a list of businesses it claims work with China's military. Tencent has denied the allegations. Monitoring, restrictions and propaganda SOME organisations funding Scotland's universities have allegedly policed overseas students and restricted their freedoms. Most of these financial contributions were used to fund Confucius Institutes at Scottish universities. Confucius Institutes teach Chinese language and culture, but have been accused of monitoring students, spreading state propaganda, censoring topics – such as the independence of Taiwan – and stifling free speech on campuses. China has rejected the allegations. In 2021, a former Chinese diplomat, who defected to Australia, told The Ferret that China tries to control international students at Scottish universities via student associations. A 2023 report from the UK Parliament's intelligence and security committee said the institutes were run by Hanban, an arm of China's education ministry ultimately controlled by the CCP's propaganda department. Its institutes must obey CCP law, monitor students overseas and influence their behaviour, the report alleged. The last UK government U-turned on a bid to ban the institutes, while top Australian universities closed their institutes in April. Since 2020, Strathclyde, Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt universities have accepted more than £5m, including from Hanban, to fund their Confucius Institutes. Edinburgh's institute was partly funded by Fudan University, which reportedly omitted the phrase 'freedom of thought' from its charter in 2019. Aberdeen University accepted £5000 from the China Scholarship Council (CSC) in November 2023 to fund a visiting researcher. Some European universities have paused or ceased co-operation with the CSC, citing threats to academic freedom, research security and the risk of 'industrial espionage'. Universities 'ignoring evidence of risks' LUKE de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international alliance of cross-party politicians, said The Ferret's research was 'shocking, but not surprising'. 'The fact that money is still being allowed to flow without being flagged should be a matter of deep concern for ministers and the wider Scottish public,' he claimed. 'The rest of the UK has been slow to address dependencies which are curtailing academic freedoms and assisting the People's Liberation Army, but this evidence suggests that the problem is even more acute in Scotland and needs urgently to be tackled.' Laura Harth, China in the world director at human rights group Safeguard Defenders, said: 'It remains staggering to see evidence-based institutions consistently ignore the endless amount of evidence on the security, IP theft and foreign interference risks related to co-operation with (CCP) entities. READ MORE: Owen Jones: Opposing Israeli violence is 'extremist'? The world's upside down 'This is the exact opposite of the academic rigour we should expect and an outright denial of their commitment to independent thinking and discovery. 'Universities and other entities that continue to ignore such risks do so at the expense not only of their students and stakeholders, but of our democratic societies as a whole. Such free-riding has to stop.' The Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary, Miles Briggs, said there was 'good reason' to be wary of university funding with alleged links to spying, human rights abuses, the military and other issues. 'For too long SNP ministers have been complacent about the overexposure of the university sector in Scotland without investigating where funding has come from,' he claimed. The Ferret contacted the Chinese Embassy which has previously been critical of what it has branded politicised anti-Chinese rhetoric, but we received no response. Universities ensure 'robust due diligence' ABERDEEN University said it has 'robust procedures in place to ensure due diligence around international collaboration', including 'mitigations' for 'higher risk partnerships' such as a team to review security issues, and the use of an official 'trusted research' checklist. A spokesperson added that the university complies with UK regulations including control requirements around the export or transfer in goods, software or technology, including data, information and technical assistance. Heriot-Watt University said global partnerships were 'vital' to advancing its research and teaching, while also benefitting its students, supporting cultural exchange and contributing to the university's financial sustainability. The university complies with UK Government international security guidelines and partnerships are 'rigorously assessed' to ensure 'academic freedom and institutional autonomy,' a spokesperson added. An Edinburgh University spokesperson said all partnerships, 'including donations and research funding, are subject to a rigorous due diligence process'. A Strathclyde University spokesperson said: 'All of our research is subject to risk assessments, ethical approvals and adherence to UK Government guidelines on national security, export control and the Academic Technology Approval Scheme.' A spokesperson for RGU said: 'All of RGU's international collaborations are developed with robust due diligence and are aligned with the university's commitment to research excellence.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Universities are autonomous institutions and are expected to understand and manage the reputational, ethical and security risks associated with international partnerships. 'This includes conducting appropriate due diligence before entering into new partnerships, and monitoring existing partnerships to ensure they comply with relevant legal requirements'. National security is reserved to the UK Government's Home Office, which did not respond to a request to comment. Every organisation in this article was approached for comment, either directly or via the Chinese consulate in Edinburgh and the Chinese embassy in London.
Glasgow Times
21 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Celebrated physicist visits old Glasgow school nearly 40 years later
Dr Calum Torrie, associate director and chief engineer at the USA-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), visited Cardonald Primary School on Tuesday, June 17, to present a special piece of science-themed artwork and talk about his career. Dr Torrie, who now lives in Pasadena, California, said: "I was proud to come back to Cardonald Primary nearly 40 years after I left to meet pupils and present them with their fantastic artwork representing the first detection of gravitational waves. "Having the opportunity to meet young people and get them engaged with science is always welcome, but being able to meet pupils who are growing up where I did was particularly special." Read more: New Glasgow research centre launched to help advance sustainable shipping (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) He spoke to pupils about his time at the school in the 1980s, his studies in physics and astronomy at the University of Glasgow, and his current work at LIGO. Martin Coogan, headteacher at Cardonald Primary School, said: "We were delighted to welcome Dr Torrie back to the school to meet pupils, discuss his career, and present us with the artwork. "The children thoroughly enjoyed Dr Torrie's presentation, which focused on gravitational wave astronomy and how the remarkable sensitivity of the LIGO detectors was enabled by research at a local university. "It's fantastic to think that an internationally recognised scientist attended our school and studied at the University of Glasgow. "I am sure Dr Torrie's visit to our school will inspire some of our pupils to start thinking about science as a possible future career path." During the visit, Dr Torrie showcased a framed mosaic created by pupils in 2023 as part of a University of Glasgow project. Gravitational waves, first predicted by Albert Einstein in 1916, were detected for the first time in 2015 by LIGO. This discovery opened a new frontier in astronomy and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2017. The mosaic visualises one of the signals detected by LIGO and is composed of 1,156 individual drawings contributed by pupils and staff. Dr Torrie also presented the pupils with a framed A3 poster, celebrating their work. Dr Andrew Spencer, University of Glasgow researcher who helped lead the development of the mosaics, said: "The Cardonald mosaic celebrates how this ground-breaking discovery was the work of many people. "The individual squares are recycled from the work of many University of Glasgow researchers, past and present, and each one was decorated by students and staff at Cardonald Primary. "Working with the School to produce the mosaic was a brilliant experience, and it was great to return with Dr Torrie and the final artwork. "We hope that future generations of Glasgow children will grow up to continue the tradition of scientific innovation." Read more: Glasgow University urges unpaid carers to take part in new survey (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) University of Glasgow scientists played a key role in the development of LIGO, particularly in the design of its mirror suspensions and data analysis. Dr Torrie's visit to Cardonald Primary School comes as the global gravitational wave research community prepares to mark the 10th anniversary of the first detection. Glasgow will host the International Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation and the Edoardo Amaldi Conference on Gravitational Waves from July 14 to 18. This conference, organised by the Institute of Physics and supported by the University of Glasgow, will see gravitational wave and relativity researchers from across the globe come together to talk about their research.
