The Effects of Landscape Elements on the Breeding Sites of Bloodsucking Midge

Abstract

Forcipomyia taiwana, a bloodsucking midge that is one of the most irritating biting pests in Taiwan, has raised widespread public concern. However, we have little information about the extent to which landscape factors affect their potential habitats. As a result, landscape professionals do not have enough information to implement preventive strategies to control midges. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between landscaping and algae growth for larval breeding sites of Forcipomyia taiwana. The intent is to determine the environmental strategies that make the planned landscape unsuitable for midges to breed. GIS based on data collected from 16 constructed landscape sites (317,187 m2 in total) was utilized to spatially examine the relationship between the occurrence of the algae for midge breeding sites and the ground surface types and planting characteristics in each landscape. The results revealed that the potential midge habitats can be controlled through careful selection of the ground surface, the improvement of the site drainage, and choosing plants with the appropriate characteristics. Apart from choosing the appropriate type of paving surface, the integrity of the paving installation and the coverage of the ecological surface also influence prevention efficacy.

Alkaline water as a potential agent for biting midge control: Managing effectiveness and non-target organism impact evaluation

“…This behavior not only causes nuisance for human, the bite causes serious itching and sometimes severe allergic responses depending on skin’s sensitivity [ 2 ]. Even though there is still no evidence that this species can transmit disease-related viruses, microorganisms or pathogens [ 7 ], their dense abundance in outdoor areas becomes a public health concern [ 4 ], and their outbreaks have already caused economic loss for some outdoor tourism businesses [ 4 , 8 ]…”

“…taiwana was not classified as a pest. However, since their outbreak in late 1980s, this species constituted a severe pest in East Asian regions such as Taiwan and has caused serious problems in certain open green spaces such as parks and schools [ 2 , 4 ]. Outbreaks of biting midges also influenced the willingness of people to visit certain recreation areas and generated considerable commercial loss [ 9 ].…”

“…taiwana . Recently, more and more people like to perform outdoor activities such as hiking, exercising, or sightseeing in recreation areas and such activities can also enhance biting midge abundance because the gathering of people provides abundant food sources for females [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 10 ].…”

“…The larvae of biting midges feed on microalgae and availability of microalgae may affect the density of adults [ 5 ]. Therefore, preventing massive proliferation and spread of biting midges can potentially be achieved by managing the microhabitats of microalgae to reduce their abundance [ 4 ]. The growth of microalgae in the soil is influenced by several factors such as pH.…”

“…This species widely distributes in East Asia such as Taiwan and southern areas of China [1,2]. Their larva feed on blue-green algae or green algae so high population density tend to occur in soil covered with abundant microalgae-containing humus [1,[3][4][5]. F. taiwana is a hematophagous insect and the females require blood as the nutrient for their egg development.…”