Urban green spaces provide beneficial ways to mitigate environmental pollution. However, they can also become breeding sites for mosquitoes, heightening the risk for mosquito-borne infectious disease to emerge. The study “Pollution gradients shape microbial communities associated with Ae. albopictus larval habitats in urban community gardens” in FEMS Microbiology Ecology explores how pollution impacts mosquito habitats and their associated microbial communities, as explained by Claire Valiente Moro in this #FEMSmicroBlog. #FascinatingMicrobes
Urban green spaces as suitable larval breeding sites for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes
Urbanization has led to a surge in pollution, which profoundly impacts biodiversity and ecosystems. While green spaces like community gardens are beneficial for biodiversity, they can also become breeding sites for mosquitoes due to the buildup of stagnant water.
Moreover, mosquitoes primarily acquire their microbiota, mostly bacteria and yeasts, from the water of breeding sites. These mosquito-associated microbial communities were shown to play key roles in the animal’s biology, impacting nutrition, development, and immunity.
Understanding the interactions between pollutants and mosquito breeding sites is crucial. These conditions may affect mosquito populations and their abilities to spread diseases.
The study “Pollution gradients shape microbial communities associated with Ae. albopictus larval habitats in urban community gardens” in FEMS Microbiology Ecology aimed to understand whether the type and degree of pollution in urban water bodies influence the composition of microbial communities and, in turn, mosquito colonization. The work focused on urban community gardens in Lyon, France, and the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, which is a major vector for diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.
Urban pollution shaping microbial communities of mosquito breeding sites and larvae
First, the study looked at whether pollution shapes the microbial communities in mosquito breeding sites. Here, pollution includes both the water’s physicochemical properties and the presence of organic pollutants.
Microbial and physicochemical compositions of the water samples differed between colonized, containing Aedes albopictus larvae, and non-colonized artificial reservoirs. Notably, the microalga Picochlorum and the protozoan flagellate Spumela were specific to colonized waters. At the same time, concentrations of nitrous oxide and methane were significantly higher in non-colonized waters, suggesting that these gases might deter mosquito colonization.
Next, the study focused on whether the presence or absence of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes impacted the composition of microbial communities. Fungal composition varied more notably between colonized and non-colonized water samples. Non-colonized water samples showed higher fungal diversity, while fungal species like Dacrymyces and Pyrenochaetopsis were more prevalent in colonized water samples.
These differences were linked to the pollution gradients in the area. Organic pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and plastic derivatives, were found in the water samples. The higher prevalence of bacterial and fungal communities in colonized water samples could thus be associated with the observed industrial pollution and specific organic molecules.

Managing urban green spaces for improved public health
This study shows the intricate relationship between urban pollution and mosquito habitats. By demonstrating that pollution gradients affect the microbial communities in mosquito breeding sites, the research provides crucial insights into how environmental management can impact public health.
Hence, we are in urgent need for interdisciplinary approaches to managing urban biodiversity and health risks. Combining knowledge from microbiology, urban planning, and public health can yield actionable insights into how environmental factors, such as pollution, intersect with disease vectors like mosquitoes.
- Read the article “Pollution gradients shape microbial communities associated with Ae. albopictus larval habitats in urban community gardens” by Duval et al. in FEMS Microbiology Ecology (2024).
Claire Valiente Moro is a member of the Microbial Ecology laboratory at the University Lyon 1, France, and head of the group ‘Microbial Dynamics and Viral Transmission’. Here research focuses on microbial ecology of arthropod-associated microbiota in the field of health ecology. She is conducting integrative research at the interface of microbiology, entomology, ecotoxicology and sociology to elucidate how the microbiota of the Asian tiger mosquito Ae. albopictus impacts the animal’s biology.
About this blog section
The section #FascinatingMicrobes for the #FEMSmicroBlog explains the science behind a paper and highlights the significance and broader context of a recent finding. One of the main goals is to share the fascinating spectrum of microbes across all fields of microbiology.
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