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No Effect of Realistic Microplastic Exposure on Growth and Development of Wild-caught Culex (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes
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Researchers exposed wild-caught Culex mosquito larvae to polystyrene microplastics at environmentally realistic concentrations. The study found no significant effects on body size, development time, or growth rate in either species tested, suggesting that microplastic levels typically found in nature may have minimal impact on these fitness-related traits in mosquitoes.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is a threat to environments around the world and mosquitoes are particularly affected because of their high chance of encountering MP as larvae. Mosquitoes have been shown to readily consume microplastics and they have a significant impact on health in society, yet we have limited knowledge on the effects of MP exposure on fitness-related traits. Additionally, the data we do have come primarily from studies that have used unrealistically high microplastic concentrations, or unrealistic methods of exposure. Here we exposed wild-type first instar Culex pipiens and Culex tarsalis larvae to two 4.8-5.8 μm polystyrene microplastic concentrations (0 particles/ml, 200 particles/ml, 20,000 particles/ml) to evaluate the effect of MP exposure on body size, development, and growth rate. We found no effect of microplastics on any of the traits in either species. These results indicate microplastic exposures comparable to levels found in nature have minimal effects on these fitness-related traits. Future directions for this work include examining whether the effects of MP exposure are exacerbated when evaluated in combination with other common stressors, such as warming temperatures, pesticides, and food limitation.
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Researchers tested how polyethylene microplastics affect the development and survival of two disease-carrying mosquito species, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus. They found that microplastic exposure had different effects on each species, with Culex showing increased development time while Aedes was relatively unaffected. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in aquatic habitats may alter mosquito population dynamics, with potential implications for disease transmission.
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Researchers exposed Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito larvae to polystyrene microplastics and found that ingestion altered adult emergence rates, caused gut tissue damage, and disrupted the gut microbiome, demonstrating that microplastic contamination can impair mosquito development.
Examining effects of ontogenic microplastic transference on Culex mosquito mortality and adult weight
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Culex mosquito larvae were exposed to polystyrene microplastics at different sizes (2 μm and 15 μm) and concentrations, with MP ingestion confirmed and ontogenic transference of particles from aquatic larvae to terrestrial adults demonstrated, though no significant effects on adult mortality or weight were found. The study provides the first evidence of microplastic transfer across the aquatic-to-terrestrial life stage boundary in a common insect vector.
Polyethylene microplastics are ingested and induce biochemical changes in Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) freshwater insect larvae
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Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae were exposed to polyethylene microplastics to evaluate toxicity and biochemical effects at early developmental stages. The larvae ingested the microplastics and showed altered biochemical markers, indicating that plastic particles can affect insect physiology during larval development.
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