IMPACT OF MOSQUITO CONTROL ON NON-TARGET ENTOMOFAUNA IN URBAN ECOSYSTEMS

Rezumat

Urban mosquito management is an important public-health intervention, but mosquito suppression occurs within complex urban food webs. Adulticides may expose non-target terrestrial arthropods, whereas larvicides are applied directly to aquatic habitats where mosquito larvae develop. This review summarizes evidence on the ecological effects of pyrethroids, organophosphates, methoprene, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and spinosad, with emphasis on pollinators, aquatic Diptera, Odonata and trophic interactions. Available evidence indicates that effects are context dependent and are determined by toxicity together with actual exposure. Recent operational-scale evidence suggests low acute risk for non-target arthropods under properly conducted ultra-low-volume applications, while experimental studies have detected effects under some exposure scenarios. Bti treatment can reduce chironomid abundance and emergence and may alter prey-mediated interactions in aquatic and terrestrial food webs. Integrated vector management, source reduction, surveillance and targeted interventions are therefore preferable to indiscriminate insecticide use.