Over 50 Different Species Of Mosquito Have Been Found In Ireland

Health inspectors found 53 different species of mosquito in Ireland when carrying out surveillance last year, the Irish Independent is reporting.

The creatures, including ones which spread malaria, were found around points of entry such as Shannon Airport, Dublin Airport and the seaports of Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Limerick. The were generally discovered in bushes and near trees.

Among the species is the Anopheles plumbeus, which is known as a "reasonably good transmitter of malaria".

It is thought that the mosquitoes have arrived in Ireland from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Mexico and Panama.

However, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre said there were not enough mosquitoes in Ireland to carry infected blood and the climate is too cold for them to multiply.