Invasive plants may be boosting mosquito numbers in lower-income areas

Invasive trees in lower-income neighborhoods of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. provide nutrient-rich leaf litter for mosquito larvae, boosting their survival, growth rate, and adult body size.

The study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology was co-authored by scientists at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and led by Dr Sarah Rothman of the University of Maryland.

Wealthier areas have slower-growing native trees like elms and maples, while poor areas with underinvestment are overtaken by fast-growing nonnative plants, explaining higher mosquito numbers.

Dr Shannon LaDeau from Cary Institute noted that nonnative plants are more common in neighborhoods with lower housing values and more abandoned lots.

Mosquitoes raised on leaf litter from low-income areas showed higher survival rates and developed into larger adults, enhancing their disease transmission ability.