Scholarlink

<p>The mosquito <i>Aedes aegypti</i> is a multipathogen vector of human diseases. Massive efforts have been devoted to understanding its biology and developing control techniques, but fewer studies have investigated the influence of its natural enemies, especially for adult mosquitoes. Jumping spiders (Salticidae) are well-adapted to urban environments and show potential for controlling mosquito populations. However, the study of these interactions in urban areas is still incipient. We investigated whether the spider community and <i>Ae. aegypti</i> populations overlap temporally and spatially and how they are related to dengue incidence in a Brazilian city with high dengue incidence. We sampled jumping spiders using a visual capture method and installed mosquito egg traps in districts of the city with different levels of dengue incidence. We conducted these surveys in the dry and wet seasons and used stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to assess whether jumping spiders consume <i>Ae. aegypti</i>. We found three species (<i>Menemerus bivittatus</i>, <i>Hasarius adansoni</i> and <i>Corythalia conferta</i>), of which the most abundant among districts and seasons was <i>M. bivittatus</i>. Spider community was denser during the dry season and in areas with low dengue incidence. Accordingly, mosquito eggs were more abundant in periods and areas with low spider density, specifically during the wet season and in areas with high dengue incidence. Stable isotope ratios indicate that <i>M. bivittatus</i> indeed feeds on <i>Ae. aegypti</i> females. Our findings suggest that jumping spiders can be involved as controlling agents of <i>Ae. aegypti</i> populations, potentially reducing the spread of dengue and providing a basis for encouraging further studies on the influence of urban spiders on mosquito populations and dengue management.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Spiders as urban allies: the contribution of jumping spiders to mosquito biological control in an urban environment

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月1日

查看全文
  • Rafael Rios Moura,
  • Gabriel Máximo Xavier,
  • Julio Cesar Ribeiro Pires,
  • William Dias Silva,
  • Sônia Huckembeck,
  • Marcelo O. Gonzaga

摘要

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is a multipathogen vector of human diseases. Massive efforts have been devoted to understanding its biology and developing control techniques, but fewer studies have investigated the influence of its natural enemies, especially for adult mosquitoes. Jumping spiders (Salticidae) are well-adapted to urban environments and show potential for controlling mosquito populations. However, the study of these interactions in urban areas is still incipient. We investigated whether the spider community and Ae. aegypti populations overlap temporally and spatially and how they are related to dengue incidence in a Brazilian city with high dengue incidence. We sampled jumping spiders using a visual capture method and installed mosquito egg traps in districts of the city with different levels of dengue incidence. We conducted these surveys in the dry and wet seasons and used stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to assess whether jumping spiders consume Ae. aegypti. We found three species (Menemerus bivittatus, Hasarius adansoni and Corythalia conferta), of which the most abundant among districts and seasons was M. bivittatus. Spider community was denser during the dry season and in areas with low dengue incidence. Accordingly, mosquito eggs were more abundant in periods and areas with low spider density, specifically during the wet season and in areas with high dengue incidence. Stable isotope ratios indicate that M. bivittatus indeed feeds on Ae. aegypti females. Our findings suggest that jumping spiders can be involved as controlling agents of Ae. aegypti populations, potentially reducing the spread of dengue and providing a basis for encouraging further studies on the influence of urban spiders on mosquito populations and dengue management.