Construction sites in Miami-Dade County, Florida are highly favorable environments for vector mosquitoes

Abstract

Urbanization is increasing globally, and construction sites are an integral part of the urbanization process. It is unknown to what extent construction sites create favorable breeding conditions for mosquitoes. The main objectives of the present study were to identify what species of mosquitoes are present at construction sites and the respective physical features associated with their production. Eleven construction sites were cross-sectionally surveyed for the presence of mosquitoes in Miami-Dade County, Florida including in areas previously affected by the Zika virus outbreak in 2016. A total of 3.351 mosquitoes were collected; 2.680 adults and 671 immatures. Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus comprised 95% of all collected mosquitoes and were the only species found in their immature forms breeding inside construction sites. Results for the Shannon and Simpson indices, considering both immature and adult specimens, yielded the highest values for Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti. The individual rarefaction curves indicated that sampling sufficiency was highly asymptotic for Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti, and the plots of cumulative species abundance (ln S), Shannon index (H) and log evenness (ln E) (SHE) revealed the lack of heterogeneity of species composition, diversity and evenness for the mosquitoes found breeding in construction sites. The most productive construction site breeding features were elevator shafts, Jersey plastic barriers, flooded floors and stair shafts. The findings of this study indicate that vector mosquitoes breed in high numbers at construction sites and display reduced biodiversity comprising almost exclusively Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Such findings suggest that early phase construction sites have suitable conditions for the proliferation of vector mosquitoes. More studies are needed to identify modifiable worker- and organizational-level factors to improve mosquito control practices and guide future mosquito control strategies in urban environments.

Proliferation of Aedes aegypti in urban environments mediated by the availability of key aquatic habitats

“…This system provides valuable insight into the population dynamics of vector mosquitoes in Miami 48 . Moreover, many studies have been conducted in areas considered problematic for controlling vector mosquitoes in Miami such as construction sites 79 , tire shops 80 , ornamental bromeliad patches 55 , cemeteries 81 , and urban farms 66 . Together, these studies have provided key evidence of vector mosquito distribution in Miami.…”

Urbanization creates diverse aquatic habitats for immature mosquitoes in urban areas

“…In addition, Miami has the appropriate conditions for mosquitoes year-round, as the tropical monsoon climate is highly conducive for mosquitoes even during the winter 18 . Miami is also undergoing intense increases in urbanization 19,20 that is impacting the population dynamics of vector mosquitoes and subsequently the risk of arbovirus transmission 21,22 .…”

“…Results also showed reduced biodiversity of species in these habitats sheltering almost exclusively Ae. aegypti and Culex ( Culex ) quinquefasciatus (Say, 1823) 20,23 . These findings highlight the need to determine how the abundance of immature populations of vector mosquito species at point source locations is related to both features of the local environment and availability of breeding sites, representing vital resources needed by mosquito species for them to exist and propagate in definable urban habitats.…”

Cemeteries in Miami-Dade County, Florida are important areas to be targeted in mosquito management and control efforts

“…Definable habitats at the neighborhood level provide a wide range of favorable habitats with optimal conditions and environmental resources for mosquito survival. Problematic habitats for controlling mosquitoes in urban environments such as tire shops [27], bromeliad patches [28], and construction sites [29] must be taken into consideration in the development of effective mosquito management and control in urban areas.…”