Table 1_Seasonal characteristics and trend analysis of vector mosquitoes in Shandong province from 2018 to 2024.xlsx

IntroductionMosquitoes are major vectors of various human pathogenic viruses, posing a significant and evolving public health threat. This is particularly true for China’s Shandong Province, which documented its northernmost local dengue fever outbreak in 2017, highlighting its vulnerability to sustained mosquito-borne disease transmission. In the context of the lack of universal vaccines, enhancing surveillance to inform precision control is critical. This study aims to characterize the population dynamics, seasonal patterns, and long-term trends of vector mosquitoes in Shandong Province from 2018 to 2024, thereby generating actionable evidence for targeted prevention strategies.
MethodsMosquito surveillance data collected across Shandong Province from 2018 to 2024 were systematically analyzed. The composition of mosquito vector assemblages was quantified and applied an integrated analytical framework: Degree of seasonal aggregation of mosquito populations were quantified using the concentration method, and peak timing, along with peak activity periods, was determined through circular statistical analysis. And the Joinpoint regression model was used to evaluate long-term trends in abundance and identify significant changes over the study period.
ResultsDuring the entire research period, Culex pipiens pallens was the predominant species in the monitoring work conducted in Shandong Province. From 2018 to 2024, the overall concentration degree of mosquito density in Shandong Province was M = 0.737, with γ = 0.722 (p < 0.05). The population peak occurred on July 30, and the peak activity period extended from June 13 to September 15. Significant regional variation was observed. The peak day occurred earliest in Linyi City, while Weihai recorded the latest peak day. From a long-term perspective, the province’s mosquito density exhibited a non-significant downward trend. Significant divergence in trends was observed between cities: Jinan, Yantai and Liaocheng exhibited marked decreases, whereas Weihai, Rizhao and Linyi showed significant increases.
ConclusionsVector mosquito populations in Shandong Province show distinct seasonal, with peak activity concentrated from mid-June to mid-September. Culex pipiens pallens was the dominant species. And regarding long-term trends, variations exist in mosquito density across cities within Shandong. These findings highlight the need for region-specific control measures and sustained surveillance to support precise prevention of mosquito-borne diseases.