The Royal Society of Edinburgh Mosquitos in Scotland: Friend and foe?

Join Professor Heather M. Ferguson for a one-hour talk exploring the surprising diversity of mosquitoes in Scotland and what new research is revealing about their ecology, distribution and potential to transmit disease.

The session draws on work from the Mosquito Scotland project and looks at how environmental change may affect the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in the country. The event also highlights a nationwide citizen-science reporting scheme that has helped researchers understand where mosquitoes are being seen across Scotland.

Attendees will hear about the history of malaria transmission in Scotland, the mosquito species found here today, and the latest evidence on the potential risks posed by diseases such as West Nile virus and Usutu virus. This is a hybrid talk with an audience Q&A, so people can attend in person or watch online.

It is designed for curious audiences and does not require any prior specialist knowledge, making it a good fit for anyone interested in wildlife, public health and the effects of climate change on disease patterns.