Establishing the Aedes watch out network, the first island-wide mosquito citizen-science initiative in Cyprus within the framework of the Mosquitoes Without Borders project

Recent outbreaks of Zika, chikungunya and dengue fever worldwide highlight the importance of understanding the spread of pathogen-carrying mosquitoes. Citizen or community science initiatives can contribute towards early warning rapid response systems and complement at spatial and temporal scales traditional mosquito surveillance which often relies on limited resources. Herein, we provide information regarding a first attempt of involving citizens in mosquito monitoring on the island of Cyprus. During the 2018–2019 season, an island wide network of citizen scientists was formed as part of The Three Mosquiteers initiative and the Mosquitoes Without Borders project that aims at educating and engaging citizens of all ages regarding mosquitoes. The new network was named Aedes Watch Out and it aims to provide information on island wide mosquito presence overcoming jurisdictional barriers and cost constraints. Aedes Watch Out aims to serve as an early warning information source about the non-native Asian tiger mosquito ( Aedes albopictus ) arrival to Cyprus, complementing current capacities and any work that the authorities undertake. The initial outcomes of the project demonstrate that even a small number of dedicated citizen scientists can generate important information and greatly facilitate experts in entomology and public health.