Impact of invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) on mosquito abundance and plant-feeding behavior in an arboviral endemic region in Kenya

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cg.authorship.typesCGIAR and advanced research institute
cg.contributor.affiliationUniversity of Bonn
cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Livestock Research Institute
cg.contributor.affiliationUniversity of Liverpool
cg.contributor.affiliationCharité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin
cg.contributor.affiliationFreie Universität Berlin
cg.contributor.affiliationHumboldt-Universität zu Berlin
cg.contributor.affiliationBerlin Institute of Health
cg.contributor.donorProjekt DEAL
cg.contributor.donorGerman Research Foundation
cg.contributor.donorSchlumberger Foundation
cg.coverage.countryKenya
cg.coverage.iso3166-alpha2KE
cg.coverage.regionAfrica
cg.coverage.regionEastern Africa
cg.creator.identifiertatenda chiuya: 0000-0002-9077-7125
cg.creator.identifierEric M. Fèvre: 0000-0001-8931-4986
cg.howPublishedFormally Published
cg.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07174-3
cg.isijournalISI Journal
cg.issn1756-3305
cg.issue1
cg.journalParasites and Vectors
cg.number35
cg.reviewStatusPeer Review
cg.subject.ilriPESTS
cg.subject.impactAreaEnvironmental health and biodiversity
cg.subject.sdgSDG 15 - Life on land
cg.volume19
dc.contributor.authorOsman, Tasneem
dc.contributor.authorChiuya, Tatenda
dc.contributor.authorFèvre, Eric M.
dc.contributor.authorJunglen, S.
dc.contributor.authorBorgemeister, C.
dc.date.accessioned2025-12-17T04:47:47Z
dc.date.available2025-12-17T04:47:47Z
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/178894
dc.titleImpact of invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) on mosquito abundance and plant-feeding behavior in an arboviral endemic region in Kenyaen
dcterms.abstractBackground: Invasive alien species (IAS) are rapidly altering ecosystems, undermining biodiversity, ecosystem processes, and interspecies interactions. Although IAS ecological and economic effects are well recognised, their impact on mosquito populations and the dynamics of infectious diseases is poorly understood. Plant-derived sugars are crucial for mosquito biology, supporting nectarivorous male survival and enhancing female blood feeding. Methods: In this study, we investigated how <i>Parthenium hysterophorus</i>, a rapidly proliferating invasive weed, shapes the population structure and nectar-feeding behaviour of the mosquito vector in the Rift Valley area of Kenya. Across six villages, three heavily infested with <i>P. hysterophorus</i> and three uninfested controls, we collected 48,489 mosquitoes representing 35 species from two subfamilies (<i>Anophelinae</i> and <i>Culicinae</i>) and nine genera, including <i>Anopheles</i>, <i>Aedes</i>, <i>Culex</i>, <i>Mansonia</i>, and <i>Coquillettidia</i>. Mosquito plant feeding was confirmed using the anthrone test, and the ingested flora were identified via DNA barcoding of chloroplast markers, specifically matK, rbcL, and ITS2. Result: Mosquito abundance was significantly higher in <i>Parthenium</i>-infested villages, particularly during the dry season (p < 0.001), despite similar species diversity across sites. Medically important vectors, including <i>Mansonia africana</i>, <i>Coquillettidia metallicus</i>, <i>Culex pipiens</i>, and <i>Anopheles funestus</i>, were notably more common in invaded habitats. Overall fructose positivity was significantly high in mosquitoes from <i>Parthenium</i> sites (p = 0.046), with females showing especially higher rates (28.1% vs 18.0%; p = 0.0038). DNA barcoding indicated a clear feeding preference for <i>P. hysterophorus</i> among <i>Coq. metallicus</i>, <i>Mn. africana</i>, and An. funestus</i>, alongside other plants such as <i>Lantana camara</i>. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that <i>P. hysterophorus</i> has a notable impact on mosquito population composition and stimulates sugar-feeding behavior among important vector species. This IAS acts as a sustainable nutritional source, potentially enhancing mosquito survival, extending vector activity in dry seasons, and heightening the risk of arboviral disease transmission. The findings highlight the critical need to integrate invasive plant management within comprehensive mosquito control strategies.en
dcterms.accessRightsOpen Access
dcterms.audienceAcademics
dcterms.audienceScientists
dcterms.available2025-12-12
dcterms.bibliographicCitationOsman, T., Chiuya, T., Fèvre, E.M., Junglen, S. and Borgemeister, C. 2026. Impact of invasive weed <i>Parthenium hysterophorus</i> (Asteraceae) on mosquito abundance and plant-feeding behavior in an arboviral endemic region in Kenya. Parasites and Vectors 19 (1): 35.
dcterms.issued2026-12
dcterms.languageen
dcterms.licenseCC-BY-4.0
dcterms.publisherBioMed Central
dcterms.subjectinvasive alien species
dcterms.subjectmosquitoes
dcterms.typeJournal Article

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