Entomologists claim that mosquitoes can rise to a height of almost 300 meters, and fly away from the African continent with air currents.
Previously, it was believed that the range of African mosquitoes in the north is limited to the Sahel - the savanna zone that delimits the Sahara and the more fertile southern lands. However, mosquitoes can climb much higher than previously thought, and travel much longer with powerful air currents.
Scientists found this out by launching research vehicles into the skies of Africa. The design of these devices was ridiculously simple: in fact, they are just small balloons with sticky nets attached to them. At the same time, control nets were installed on the ground to confirm that the insects were indeed caught high in the air. The study showed that mosquitoes are able to climb 40 to 290 meters above the ground. At this height, they are captured by powerful air currents. With the wind, mosquitoes can travel even as far as Europe.
In addition, among the insects that fell on the net, 80% were adult females ready to lay eggs. They are responsible for the spread of a number of dangerous infections - malaria, West Nile fever and Rift Valley fever. Entomologists fear that in the conditions of global warming in Europe, favorable conditions for the development of these diseases may form, and that traveling mosquitoes will contribute to the development of epidemics, including in temperate latitudes.