Journal of Mosquito Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 100-110 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/jmr 102 2. Land Use Changes: Deforestation agriculture and urbanization can alter the landscape creating new breeding sites for mosquitoes. In Malaysian Borneo land-use changes such as deforestation and the establishment of rubber plantations have been linked to increased mosquito breeding habitats thereby influencing malaria transmission (Byrne et al., 2021). 3. Nutrient Enrichment: The input of nutrients such as cattle dung into aquatic habitats can significantly increase mosquito larval abundance. Higher nutrient concentrations promote the growth of microorganisms that serve as food for mosquito larvae thereby enhancing their development and survival rates (Buxton et al., 2020). 4. Insecticide Use: The use of agricultural pesticides can lead to the development of insecticide resistance in mosquito populations. In Côte d'Ivoire mosquito populations in agricultural regions have shown resistance to certain insecticides used in crop protection complicating vector control efforts (Mouhamadou et al., 2019). 5. Predation and Competition: The presence of natural predators and competitors can influence mosquito larval survival. In Northern Tanzania temporary ponds with a diverse assemblage of aquatic predators have been found to maintain low mosquito densities highlighting the importance of ecological balance in controlling mosquito populations (Mataba et al., 2021). 6. Seasonal Variations: Seasonal changes can affect the availability and quality of mosquito breeding habitats. For instance the abundance of Anopheles larvae in Ethiopia was found to be higher during the wet season compared to the dry season indicating the influence of seasonal rainfall on mosquito breeding (Hawaria et al., 2020). The interplay of water quality land use nutrient enrichment insecticide use predation and seasonal variations significantly shapes mosquito habitats and populations. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective mosquito control strategies and mitigating the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. 3 Impact of Agricultural Practices on Mosquito Habitats 3.1 Water management and irrigation practices 3.1.1 Rice paddies and mosquito breeding grounds Rice paddies are significant breeding grounds for mosquitoes particularly in regions where irrigation is prevalent. Studies have shown that the presence of water retention structures within rice paddies can influence mosquito populations. For instance the construction of ditches within paddies has been incentivized to mitigate the negative impacts of intensive rice cultivation on biodiversity including mosquito habitats. However the effectiveness of these ditches in reducing mosquito breeding varies with larger ditches supporting more abundant populations of certain species (Giuliano and Bogliani, 2019), Additionally the diversity and abundance of mosquito larvae are significantly higher in irrigated areas compared to non-irrigated areas indicating that irrigation practices contribute to the proliferation of mosquito breeding habitats (Hawaria et al., 2020). 3.1.2 Irrigation ditches and standing water Irrigation ditches and standing water are common features in agricultural landscapes that can serve as mosquito breeding sites. The presence of these water bodies especially in rice agroecosystems provides ideal conditions for mosquito larvae development. Studies have shown that mosquito larvae are found in various aquatic habitats including irrigation canals and ditches with higher abundance during the rainy season. Effective water management strategies such as intermittent flooding have been shown to reduce the density of mosquito larvae significantly thereby potentially mitigating malaria transmission in regions with extensive rice cultivation (Djégbe et al., 2020). 3.2 Crop cultivation and landscape changes 3.2.1 Deforestation and habitat alteration Deforestation and habitat alteration due to agricultural expansion can significantly impact mosquito habitats. The conversion of natural landscapes into agricultural fields often leads to the creation of new breeding sites for mosquitoes. For example the loss of non-cropped habitats in European farmlands has been linked to a decline in biodiversity including natural predators of mosquitoes thereby potentially increasing mosquito populations
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