Real-time dispersal of malaria vectors in rural Africa monitored with lidar

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247803
• Publication Date: 2021-03-04T18:38:03Z
• Authors: Samuel Jansson; Elin Malmqvist; Yeromin Mlacha; Rickard Ignell; Fredros Okumu; Gerry Killeen; Carsten Kirkeby; Mikkel Brydegaard
• Keywords: Swarming (honey bee); Mosquito control

Lack of tools for detailed, real-time observation mosquito behavior with high spatio-temporal resolution limits progress towards improved malaria vector control. We deployed a high-resolution entomological lidar to monitor half-kilometer static transect positioned over rice fields outside Tanzanian village. A quarter million in situ insect observations were classified, and several taxa identified based on their modulation signatures. observed distinct range distributions male female mosquitoes relation the village periphery, behavioral features, such as swarming. Furthermore, we that spatial males females change independently each other during day, able estimate daily dispersal away from The findings this study demonstrate how lidar-based monitoring could dramatically improve our understanding ecology control options.