First record of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Botswana

Buxton, Mmabaledi; Lebani, Kebaneilwe; Nyamukondiwa, Casper; Wasserman, Ryan J.

doi:10.3391/bir.2019.8.3.10

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…We thus recommend further research into the roles of biotic and abiotic parameters which impact predator–pest prey interactions in aquatic environments, including environmental tolerances. Moreover, assessment of natural enemy efficacies towards emerging invasive vector species, and how best to faciltate such predators at the landscape level, requires urgent examination. With an increasing awareness of the detrimental environmental impacts associated with syntheic pesticides, the promotion and conservation of natural biocontrol agents in aquatic environments is paramount to integrated vector control for improved public health and maintanance of ecological integrity.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predator density modifies mosquito regulation in increasingly complex environments

Buxton

Cuthbert

Dalu

et al. 2020

Pest Management Science

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BACKGROUND: Predation plays a pivotal role in the composition and functioning of ecosystems. Both habitat complexity and predator density are important contexts which may determine the strength of trophic and non-trophic interactions. In aquatic systems, the efficacy of natural enemies in regulating vector pest species could be modified by such context dependencies. Here, we use a functional response (FR) approach to experimentally quantify conspecific multiple predator effects across a habitat complexity gradient of two notonectids, Anisops sardea and Enithares chinai, towards larvae of the vector mosquito Culex pipiens pipiens.RESULTS: E. chinai exhibited significantly greater consumption rates than A. sardea across habitat complexities, both as individuals and conspecific pairs. Each predator type displayed Type II FRs across experimental treatments, with synergistic multiple predator effects (i.e. prey risk enhancement) displayed in the absence of habitat complexity. Effects of increasing habitat complexity modified multiple predator effects differentially between species given behavioral differences, with habitat complexity causing significant antagonism (i.e. prey risk reduction) with multiple A. sardea compared to E. chinai.CONCLUSION: Habitat complexity effects on multiple predator interactions can manifest differently at the species level, suggesting emergent effects which complicate predictions of natural enemy impact in heterogenous environments. Considerations of density, diversity and habitat effects on efficacies of natural enemies should thus be considered by pest management practitioners to better explain biocontrol efficacies in increasingly diverse environments.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predator density modifies mosquito regulation in increasingly complex environments

Buxton

Cuthbert

Dalu

et al. 2020

Pest Management Science

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“…Aedes aegypti had a wider thermal window compared to the other mosquito species, having higher thermal limits to activity especially on the warming extreme. The species is highly invasive in tropical and subtropical regions of the world [46]. This could be linked to its behavioural profile of associating with thermally heterogeneous transient or temporary microhabitats, although CTLs may vary across mosquito species, space and methodological context [68,69].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, we aimed to assess thermal tolerance (lower and upper) of three regionally abundant aquatic mosquito predators (Enithares chinai and Anisops sardea [Insecta: Hemiptera], Lovenula falcifera [Copepoda: Calanoida]) and their vectorially important larval mosquito prey (Aedes aegypti, Anopheles quadriannulatus, Culex pipiens [Diptera: Culicidae]) in a semi-arid subtropical southern African landscape. All three mosquito species are commonly encountered in peri-and urban landscapes of the study region [45][46][47], with Ae. aegypti and Cx.…”

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confidence: 99%

Implications of increasing temperature stress for predatory biocontrol of vector mosquitoes

et al. 2020

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Background Predators play a critical role in regulating larval mosquito prey populations in aquatic habitats. Understanding predator-prey responses to climate change-induced environmental perturbations may foster optimal efficacy in vector reduction. However, organisms may differentially respond to heterogeneous thermal environments, potentially destabilizing predator-prey trophic systems. Methods Here, we explored the critical thermal limits of activity (CTLs; critical thermal-maxima [CTmax] and minima [CTmin]) of key predator-prey species. We concurrently examined CTL asynchrony of two notonectid predators (Anisops sardea and Enithares chinai) and one copepod predator (Lovenula falcifera) as well as larvae of three vector mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles quadriannulatus and Culex pipiens, across instar stages (early, 1st; intermediate, 2nd/3rd; late, 4th). Results Overall, predators and prey differed significantly in CTmax and CTmin. Predators generally had lower CTLs than mosquito prey, dependent on prey instar stage and species, with first instars having the lowest CTmax (lowest warm tolerance), but also the lowest CTmin (highest cold tolerance). For predators, L. falcifera exhibited the narrowest CTLs overall, with E. chinai having the widest and A. sardea intermediate CTLs, respectively. Among prey species, the global invader Ae. aegypti consistently exhibited the highest CTmax, whilst differences among CTmin were inconsistent among prey species according to instar stage. Conclusion These results point to significant predator-prey mismatches under environmental change, potentially adversely affecting natural mosquito biocontrol given projected shifts in temperature fluctuations in the study region. The overall narrower thermal breadth of native predators relative to larval mosquito prey may reduce natural biotic resistance to pests and harmful mosquito species, with implications for population success and potentially vector capacity under global change.

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“…Mosquitoes harbor pathogens (e.g., Plasmodium parasites, arboviruses, nematodes) that are causative agents for debilitating human, wildlife and livestock diseases [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Although the distribution of vector mosquitoes and associated diseases is generally explored in Africa [ 11 , 12 ], some areas remain underexplored owing to the lag between unreported species and invasion potentials under current global change scenarios [ 13 ]. Many of these vectors and pathogens exploit biotic and abiotic systems (e.g., hosts, climate, transportation systems and environmental modifications) across rural–urban landscapes to proliferate [ 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Apart from a few studies based only on the northern part of the country [ 29 , 38 ], the knowledge on diversity and distribution of vector mosquitoes across the country is not well documented [ 29 , 34 , 35 ]. In light of the national mosquito diversity spectrum, non-endemic areas remain a priority considering the recent changing environments [ 31 ] and presence of highly invasive species [ 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Vulnerable Communities Thoroughly Informed on Mosquito Bio-Ecology and Burden?

Buxton

Machekano

Gotcha

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Mosquitoes account for a significant burden of morbidity and mortality globally. Despite evidence of (1) imminent anthropogenic climate and environmental changes, (2) vector-pathogen spatio-temporal dynamics and (3) emerging and re-emerging mosquito borne infections, public knowledge on mosquito bio-ecology remain scant. In particular, knowledge, attitude and practices (KAPs) on mosquitoes are often neglected despite otherwise expensive remedial efforts against consequent infections and other indirect effects associated with disease burden. To gather baseline KAPs that identify gaps for optimising vector-borne disease control, we surveyed communities across endemic and non-endemic malaria sub-districts (Botswana). The study revealed limited knowledge of mosquitoes and their infections uniformly across endemic and non-endemic areas. In addition, a significant proportion of respondents were concerned about mosquito burdens, although their level of personal, indoor and environmental protection practices varied significantly across sub-districts. Given the limited knowledge displayed by the communities, this study facilitates bridging KAP gaps to minimise disease burdens by strengthening public education. Furthermore, it provides a baseline for future studies in mosquito bio-ecology and desirable control practices across differential spheres of the rural–urban lifestyle, with implications for enhanced livelihoods as a consequence of improved public health.

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First record of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Botswana

Cited by 10 publications

References 0 publications

Predator density modifies mosquito regulation in increasingly complex environments

Predator density modifies mosquito regulation in increasingly complex environments

Implications of increasing temperature stress for predatory biocontrol of vector mosquitoes

Are Vulnerable Communities Thoroughly Informed on Mosquito Bio-Ecology and Burden?

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