Environmental management and mosquito control

With global warming, mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases are spreading rapidly in many regions across the world and producing substantial morbidity and mortality. According to recent studies, mosquito population structure, density and distribution in urban environment are under dynamical changes with continuous urbanization and the consequent environment changes. Surface sewers and underground catch basins are becoming major mosquito breeding habitats. Population structure in surface sewers varies with the environment, Aedes albopictus is the dominant species in residential areas. Characterized with high population density and mobility, residential areas are easier for mosquito-borne disease spreading, so more attention should be paid to Aedes albopictus control in urban residential areas. Increased underground garages and subway traffic generated new breeding habitats and over wintering sites for mosquitoes in urban environment, control measures should be taken for such environments, since urban underground spaces are always the transit hub of vehicles, which may facilitate the spread of mosquito and its vectored virus, particularly, Culex molestus, Aedes albopictus and Culex tritaeniorhynchus can all be found breeding in underground catch basins. Frequent reports of Culex tritaeniorhynchus breeding in urban surface and underground environment suggest that Culex tritaeniorhynchus is gradually adapted to the new urbanized habitats, which may produce great effect for mosquito population structures in urban environment. Breeding habitats management is the most effective measures for mosquito control, qualified mosquito surveillance can help understand the fluctuation of mosquito species and provide timely warning, at the same time, regular risk assessment for mosquito-borne disease is essential for disease control and prevention.