The Effects of Landscape Elements on the Breeding Sites of Bloodsucking Midge

• Main Authors: Kaowen Grace Chang, Hungju Chien
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: landscape management; landscape design; landscape material; landscape planning; spatial analysis; <i>Forcipomyia taiwana</i>
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/5/2863

<i>Forcipomyia taiwana</i>, a bloodsucking midge that is one of the most irritating biting pests in Taiwan, has raised widespread public concern. However, we have little information about the extent to which landscape factors affect their potential habitats. As a result, landscape professionals do not have enough information to implement preventive strategies to control midges. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between landscaping and algae growth for larval breeding sites of <i>Forcipomyia taiwana</i>. The intent is to determine the environmental strategies that make the planned landscape unsuitable for midges to breed. GIS based on data collected from 16 constructed landscape sites (317,187 m² in total) was utilized to spatially examine the relationship between the occurrence of the algae for midge breeding sites and the ground surface types and planting characteristics in each landscape. The results revealed that the potential midge habitats can be controlled through careful selection of the ground surface, the improvement of the site drainage, and choosing plants with the appropriate characteristics. Apart from choosing the appropriate type of paving surface, the integrity of the paving installation and the coverage of the ecological surface also influence prevention efficacy.