The Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County has confirmed the first local detection of Aedes notoscriptus, a non-native mosquito species, prompting an aggressive response to prevent its spread.
The mosquito was identified March 13 in Santa Barbara’s Westside neighborhood. District officials say they are expanding surveillance and control efforts in the area, including deploying traps for adult mosquitoes and eggs and conducting door-to-door inspections to identify standing water where the insects may breed.
Native to Australia, Aedes notoscriptus — often called the “Australian backyard mosquito” — is a small black-and-white species known for its aggressive daytime biting. While not currently associated with human disease transmission locally, it is considered a primary vector of dog heartworm in its native range…