Light Pollution Disrupts Mosquitoes’ Diapause, Extending Biting Season and West Nile Virus Risk, Study Shows

A recent study by researchers at Ohio State University has suggested that light pollution in urban areas can have a significant effect on the behavior of mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus. The study found that exposure to artificial light at night may disrupt the winter dormancy period, known as diapause, for female Northern house mosquitoes, causing them to delay their period of dormancy and remain active longer into the fall. This delay can potentially put humans and animals at greater risk of contracting West Nile virus, which is transmitted when infected mosquitoes feed on mammals.

The study also found that exposure to light pollution suppressed the accumulation of water-soluble carbohydrates, an essential food source for mosquitoes during the winter. Additionally, the accumulation of the sugar glycogen was reversed in mosquitoes exposed to artificial light at night. While this delay in diapause may have negative consequences for mammals in the short term, it could also reduce the survival rate of mosquitoes in the long term, as they may fail to fully engage in preparatory activities needed to survive the winter.

These findings have important implications for understanding the impact of human activity on the behavior of insects and their potential to transmit diseases. The researchers plan to carry out field studies to see if these lab findings hold true in the wild. As artificial light at night continues to be a growing concern in urban areas, these results suggest the need for further investigation into the effects of light pollution on insect behavior and the transmission of disease.

https://news.osu.edu/light-pollution-may-extend-mosquitoes-biting-season/

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Source: Ohio State University