FIRST RECORD OF OCHLEROTATUS (FINLAYA) JAPONICUS

Ochlerotatus (Finlaya) japonicus japonicus is a potential vector of arboviruses such as Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile virus. The latter already is present in France. We report the species for the 1st time in metropolitan France and in Europe. Two larvae were collected in July and October 2000 in used tires in a village in northwestern France. Collections were made in a stack of recycled tires from a company that imports from the USA and Japan. The lack of other routes of introduction for the species confirms tires as a means of worldwide spread. Larval stages found in the area indicate that the species is reproducing locally.