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Poster Short Abstract

Mosquito Watch is a citizen science initiative that mobilizes communities in Greece to monitor and document mosquito populations, with a particular focus on invasive species such as Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito), a known vector of dengue, Zika, and West Nile virus.

Poster Abstract

Mosquito Watch is a citizen science initiative that mobilizes communities in Greece to monitor and document mosquito populations, with a particular focus on invasive species such as Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito), a known vector of dengue, Zika, and West Nile virus. Through the iNaturalist platform, citizens capture and upload photos of mosquitoes or breeding sites, contributing geo-referenced observations that are validated by entomologists and integrated into the Mosquitoes of Europe database.

The project combines online campaigns, infographics, and field-based Bioblitz events to raise awareness of mosquito-borne diseases, biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change. It fosters a 360° citizen observatory that provides open-access, quality-assured data to public health authorities and researchers.

Embedded in the Horizon Europe DxHub framework, Mosquito Watch also explores the development of rapid, low-cost diagnostic tools for mosquito-borne pathogens. By bridging citizens, scientists, and policymakers, the initiative strengthens public health resilience and empowers communities as active contributors to disease surveillance and biodiversity monitoring.