First molecular evidence and phylogenetic characterization of Aedes (Hulecoeteomyia) koreicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Slovakia

The invasive mosquito Aedes (Hulecoeteomyia) koreicus (Edwards, 1917), originally native to East Asia, has recently established populations across several European countries. This study provides the first molecular confirmation of Ae. koreicus in Slovakia. Adult females were collected during nationwide mosquito surveillance conducted between June and October 2024. Morphological identification was confirmed by sequencing a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Slovak Ae. koreicus sequences clustered with reference sequences from Italy, Hungary, Belgium, and Germany. BLAST analysis showed 98.4–100% nucleotide identity with European Ae. koreicus isolates. Two principal genetic clusters were detected—one related to Hungarian isolates and another to Italian isolates, suggesting multiple introduction pathways or regional spread from established populations in Central Europe. These findings confirm the ongoing expansion of Ae. koreicus in Central Europe.