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Garden plants new breeding ground, warns MRI
View(s):Mosquitoes have been found to be breeding in a number of garden plants, a study conducted by MRI has revealed. The study is aimed at finding out whether mosquitoes have found alternate breeding spots, in garden plants, as the fight to control the spread of dengue intensifies. P. Ranasinghe, researcher at MRI said that mosquito larvae were found in plants that retain water. Small species of mosquitoes laid eggs on smaller plants, the larvae of the dengue mosquito was found in the bigger plants.
The popular garden plant Bromelia headed the list of potential breeding spots, as water collects in its axil (the place where the leaf connects to the main body of plant) pointed out Mr. Ranasinghe. He said on average a Bromelia plant can hold at least 500 ml of water, an ideal breeding spot for mosquitoes. As the fight against mosquitoes continues and more obvious breeding grounds are being cleared there is a tendency for mosquitoes to lay eggs on these plants. The Habarala species that is used for landscaping is another water collecting plant.
Even the plant such as ‘Rampe’, or pandan leaves, used for cooking is another plant that carries water at its axil. In addition axils of pineapple, kiri ala and banana leaves all collect water. While plants that have ornamental value such as bromelia, habarala can be removed, vegetation that have some practical use should be managed properly. “You can fill the axil pockets of these plants with sand, so that water will not collect. You can also make a puncture at the bottom of the axil, so that it cannot hold water,” Mr. Ranasinghe advised adding that rampe bushes should be trimmed while keeping only what is needed for consumption.
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