“Tiger mosquitoes behind dengue fever rise in Europe”

Geography Case Study

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is able to transmit Zika, Dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses to humans and animals. It has now become established in southern Europe. Alarmingly, it is spreading northwards and in 2016 its eggs were found in the UK.

This resource includes a variety of lesson activities to pick and choose.

Powerpoint slide starters: to promote discussion and critical thinking skills.
5Ws & 1H - female tiger mosquito after a blood meal
‘In which photo are you most likely to…’
‘In which country are you most likely to…’
‘Which creature is the odd one out?’
‘Which country is the odd one out?’
5Ws & 1H - yellow fever victims

Link to BBC video: ‘Tiger mosquitoes behind dengue fever rise in Europe’

Worksheet - Question Grid: Tiger mosquitos in Europe
Who? What? Where? etc vs is… did… can… etc

Double-sided worksheet - Tiger Mosquitoes in Europe
Plot countries with tiger mosquito poulations in 2017 vs 2024 (shows spread to UK)
Read & highlight info about tiger mosquitoes to show (a) key terms, (b) processes, and © ideas

Slides showing 2017 vs 2024 distributions

Worksheet - PQE: Tiger mosquitos in Europe
Analyse the completed map by writing about: Patterns (describe how the data are spaced out), Quantify (extract accurate information) & Exceptions (identify anomalies)

Tiger Mosquito mystery
32 clues to cut up and share among students to find out why tiger mosquitoes are a hazard for the UK

Worksheet - Concept Map: Tiger Mosquitoes in the UK
35 pieces of info to read, discuss, sort & color code: Locations; Causes; Effects; Management; Supporting Data

Worksheet - Thought Chains: Tiger Mosquitoes
Six statements to start off detailed answers using connectives (eg ‘Globalisation has increased the tiger mosquito hazard’; ‘Outbreaks of Dengue, Zika, or yellow fever would be disastrous for a country’s economy’)

Worksheet - Geography Web: Tiger Mosquitoes
Students make links between key ideas (eg mosquitoes, gardening, climate change)

Link to YouTube video: ‘The Asian Tiger mosquito: climate controls in Europe’

Slide showing UK government’s current opinion of the tiger mosquito hazard

Worksheet - Tiger Mosquito Hexagons
Students discuss and make links between icons (eg dollar sign, thermometer, mosquito, factory)

Decision Making Exercise:

Several slides (showing images & info about the tiger mosquito hazard and management options) to print and distribute around student groups

Worksheet - analyse the four management options (insecticides, vaccines, lethal ovitraps, or monitor imports)
Two versions are provided: a) human, economic & environmental aspects; or b) advantages vs disadvantages

Worksheet - Enquiry conclusion

Teachers’ info (including links to academic articles)