Wetlands are among the most productive and important areas on the planet, providing numerous essential ecosystem services for both human and environmental health, and serving as valuable refuges for plant and animal species. The variety of species inhabiting wetlands, and their interactions contribute to the balance of the ecosystem itself; however, these species are often threatened by human activities, which lead to habitat loss and biodiversity decline. Not all species associated with wetlands are welcomed by humans. Mosquitoes are often feared because they are vectors of well-known diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, West Nile, Dengue, and Chikungunya. The risk of contracting these diseases has fueled an ambivalent relationship between humans and these ecosystems, leading to the development of mosquito control strategies long focused on the use of synthetic insecticides (larvicides and adulticides). However, growing environmental awareness has driven research towards identifying more ecological strategies. Silicone-based monomolecular films are newly discovered products; they create a barrier on the water's surface that prevents mosquito larvae and pupae from breathing and lowers surface tension, preventing adults from laying eggs. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that, although effective against mosquitoes, this strategy can have side effects on certain non-target model species of Hemiptera and Coleoptera. The insects were mainly collected from channels, ditches, lakes, and ponds, and immediately brought to the laboratory, where they were subjected to tests with varying dosages under standard conditions. The species considered include natural predators of mosquitoes. The results reveal that these insects are extremely sensitive to the silicone film; in fact, Gerridae, Corixidae, Dytiscidae, Notonectidae, and Gyrinidae showed 100% mortality within 24 hours of applying 1 ml/m² of the product. Their reduction could have repercussions on biodiversity and destabilize the food chain, leading to a paradoxical increase in mosquito populations. The use of monomolecular films and other mosquito control methods must therefore be carefully evaluated to balance the effectiveness in reducing the target species with the preservation of biodiversity in wetlands. The implementation of integrated management strategies, which consider the ecological importance and ecosystem services of wetlands, is crucial to ensuring the sustainability of these valuable ecosystems and maintaining their critical role in supporting life on Earth.
Le zone umide sono tra i luoghi più produttivi ed importanti del pianeta, offrendo molteplici servizi ecosistemici fondamentali per la salute umana e ambientale e rappresentando rifugi preziosi per specie sia vegetali che animali. La varietà di specie che abita le aree umide e le loro interazioni contribuiscono all'equilibrio dell’ecosistema stesso; tuttavia, tali specie sono spesso minacciate dalle attività umane, che causano perdita di habitat e biodiversità. Non tutte le specie legate alle zone umide sono però gradite dall’uomo. Le zanzare sono spesso temute perché vettori di note patologie per l’uomo (malaria, Zika vitus, West Nile, Dengue e Chikungunya). Il rischio di contrarre tali patologie ha alimentato una relazione ambivalente tra l'uomo e questi ecosistemi, portando allo sviluppo di strategie di controllo delle zanzare per lungo tempo incentrate sull’impiego di insetticidi di sintesi (larvicidi e adulticidi), tuttavia la crescente sensibilità nei confronti dell’ambiente ha indirizzato la ricerca all’individuazione di strategie maggiormente ecologiche. I film monomolecolari a base di silicone sono prodotti recentemente scoperti, essi creano una barriera sulla superficie dell'acqua che impedisce a larve e pupe di zanzara di respirare e abbassano la tensione superficiale, impedendo agli adulti di deporre. Obbiettivo del presente studio è stato quello di dimostrare che, sebbene efficacie contro le zanzare, questa strategia può avere effetti collaterali su alcune specie modello non target di Rincoti e Coleotteri. Gli insetti sono stati raccolti principalmente da canali, fossati, laghi e stagni, e portati subito in laboratorio, dove sono stati sottoposti a test con dosaggi variabili in condizioni standard. Le specie considerate comprendono predatori naturali di culicidi. I risultati dimostrano che questi insetti sono estremamente sensibili al film siliconico; Gerridi, Corissidi, Ditiscidi, Notonette e Girinidi hanno infatti mostrato una mortalità del 100% entro 24 ore dall'applicazione di 1 ml/m² del prodotto. La loro riduzione potrebbe avere ripercussioni sulla biodiversità e destabilizzare la catena trofica, portando ad un paradossale aumento nella popolazione delle zanzare. L'uso di film monomolecolari e altri metodi di controllo delle zanzare deve quindi essere attentamente valutato per bilanciare l'efficacia nella riduzione della specie target e la conservazione della biodiversità nelle zone umide. L'implementazione di strategie di gestione integrate, che considerino l'importanza ecologica e i servizi ecosistemici delle zone umide, è fondamentale per garantire la sostenibilità di questi preziosi ecosistemi e per mantenere il loro ruolo cruciale nel supportare la vita sulla Terra.
Effetti collaterali di film monomolecolari a base siliconica per il controllo di culicidi su organismi non bersaglio di zone umide
NICEFORI, GIOVANNI
2023/2024
Abstract
Wetlands are among the most productive and important areas on the planet, providing numerous essential ecosystem services for both human and environmental health, and serving as valuable refuges for plant and animal species. The variety of species inhabiting wetlands, and their interactions contribute to the balance of the ecosystem itself; however, these species are often threatened by human activities, which lead to habitat loss and biodiversity decline. Not all species associated with wetlands are welcomed by humans. Mosquitoes are often feared because they are vectors of well-known diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, West Nile, Dengue, and Chikungunya. The risk of contracting these diseases has fueled an ambivalent relationship between humans and these ecosystems, leading to the development of mosquito control strategies long focused on the use of synthetic insecticides (larvicides and adulticides). However, growing environmental awareness has driven research towards identifying more ecological strategies. Silicone-based monomolecular films are newly discovered products; they create a barrier on the water's surface that prevents mosquito larvae and pupae from breathing and lowers surface tension, preventing adults from laying eggs. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that, although effective against mosquitoes, this strategy can have side effects on certain non-target model species of Hemiptera and Coleoptera. The insects were mainly collected from channels, ditches, lakes, and ponds, and immediately brought to the laboratory, where they were subjected to tests with varying dosages under standard conditions. The species considered include natural predators of mosquitoes. The results reveal that these insects are extremely sensitive to the silicone film; in fact, Gerridae, Corixidae, Dytiscidae, Notonectidae, and Gyrinidae showed 100% mortality within 24 hours of applying 1 ml/m² of the product. Their reduction could have repercussions on biodiversity and destabilize the food chain, leading to a paradoxical increase in mosquito populations. The use of monomolecular films and other mosquito control methods must therefore be carefully evaluated to balance the effectiveness in reducing the target species with the preservation of biodiversity in wetlands. The implementation of integrated management strategies, which consider the ecological importance and ecosystem services of wetlands, is crucial to ensuring the sustainability of these valuable ecosystems and maintaining their critical role in supporting life on Earth.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
Nicefori_Giovanni.pdf
accesso aperto
Dimensione
6.64 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
6.64 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
The text of this website © Università degli studi di Padova. Full Text are published under a non-exclusive license. Metadata are under a CC0 License
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/80363