Academic Journal
Leaf litter characteristic of low-income urban blocks improves population performance of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex pipiens mosquitoes.
| Title: | Leaf litter characteristic of low-income urban blocks improves population performance of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex pipiens mosquitoes. |
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| Authors: | Rothman SE; Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA., LaDeau SL; Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, USA., Lucas J; Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, USA., Leisnham PT; Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA. |
| Source: | Journal of medical entomology [J Med Entomol] 2026 May 05; Vol. 63 (3). |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Oxford University Press Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0375400 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1938-2928 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00222585 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Med Entomol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 2015- : Oxford, UK : Oxford University Press Original Publication: Honolulu, Entomology Dept., B. P. Bishop Museum. |
| MeSH Terms: | Aedes*/growth & development , Aedes*/physiology , Culex*/growth & development , Culex*/physiology , Plant Leaves*/chemistry, Larva/growth & development ; Animals ; Ecosystem ; District of Columbia ; Baltimore |
| Abstract: | Mosquito larvae feed on microbes growing on decomposing organic matter, which in cities is often limited to a finite amount of allochthonous leaf litter in artificial container habitats. Curiously, field surveys in US cities consistently document a mismatch between blocks with the greatest mosquito infestations and blocks where their plant resources are most plentiful, with variation shaped by socioeconomic factors. We gathered leaves characteristic of socioeconomically diverse blocks in Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, DC, to create lab mesocosms for two common mosquito species, Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Culex pipiens (Linnaeus). We reared mosquitoes at varying densities to assess the effects of leaf litter composition on survival, development time, and body size, from which we calculated population performance and effects on competition. We also investigated traits of the leaf litter and aquatic environment. Leaf litter containing at least one non-native species, including the mix common on low-income blocks (nonnative trees Ailanthus altissima and Paulownia tomentosa) and the mix common across the region (native tree Juglans nigra and nonnative tree Morus alba) improved mosquito outcomes compared to the native leaf litter common on high-income blocks (native trees Acer rubrum and Ulmus americana) and also alleviated competitive effects on development time, perhaps making coexistence more likely. The three litter types showed significant differences in C:N ratio, decay rate, and tannin/lignin concentration but not in microbial abundance. These results offer a mechanistic explanation for previously observed socioeconomic patterns in urban mosquito populations and point toward novel strategies for mosquito control through vegetation management. (© The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.) |
| Grant Information: | 1824807 National Science Foundation-Coupled Natural Human Systems; Lang Assael Family Science Innovation Fund and Bentley Holden Scholarship; Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; Washington Biologists Field Club; University of Maryland Flagship and Wylie Fellowships |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: detritus; growth; invasion; lambda; vector |
| SCR Organism: | Aedes albopictus; Culex pipiens |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260626 Date Completed: 20260627 Latest Revision: 20260627 |
| Update Code: | 20260628 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/jme/tjag081 |
| PMID: | 42361288 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1938-2928 |
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| DOI: | 10.1093/jme/tjag081 |