Microbiome composition of several Aedes albopictus populations.. Characterization of the microbiome of Aedes albopictus populations in Spain and São Tomé: implications for vector control

The mosquito microbiome significantly influences vector competence, including in Aedes albopictus, a globally invasive species. Understanding the microbiome and Wolbachia strains in Ae. albopictus from different regions can guide area-specific control strategies. Mosquito samples from Spain and São Tomé were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Wolbachia infection was genotyped, and statistical analysis compared infection patterns by sex and population. Sequencing revealed a dominance of Wolbachia in the Ae. albopictus microbiome, with 92.4% to 98.8% of reads attributed to this genus. Other genera like Pelomonas and Nevskia were identified for the first time in Aedes mosquitoes. Dual Wolbachia infections were predominant, especially among females. This study is the first to describe the Ae. albopictus microbiome in Spain and São Tomé, offering insights for the development of targeted mosquito control strategies.