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Mosquitoes have found a new source of food in invasive plants, a development that frustrates the fight against malaria, scientists have said.
Invasive plants grow quickly and aggressively. It has emerged that mosquitoes are no longer relying on human blood for survival, but on the new plants which act as a source of food and breeding grounds.
Following the discovery, experts have called for new strategy in addressing the challenge and eradicating the plants.
According to the scientists, there are an estimated 150 invasive plant species in East Africa with warning that some of them are spreading at an alarming rate.
This emerged during an international workshop on the link between mosquitoes and invasive plants organised by Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (Cabi) in Naivasha.
According to Arne Witt, an invasive specialist from Cabi, the new development would lead to an increase in the number of mosquitoes, extend their lifespan and a rise in malaria cases.
Dr Witt said some of the weeds included Lantana Camara and water hyacinth.
The expert added that the organisation would soon produce an identification guide for the 150 invasive weeds.
"The new discovery calls for integrated approach in fighting the invasive weeds and stopping it from spreading further," he said.
A senior scientist with the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Charles Mbogo, said the weeds could also affect food production.
Dr Mbogo called for new vector control tools adding that climate change, human activity and change in land use had contributed to rise in malaria cases.
"Years back we did not have malaria cases in places like Nyeri and Kakamega, but due to clearing of forests, we have new cases of malaria," he said.
A fisherman from Lake Naivasha, Erick Chege, said the introduction of water hyacinth had seen cases of malaria around the water body rise. He said the weed, which was spreading at an alarming rate, had turned out to be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
"Previously malaria cases around the lake were very few but after the introduction of the invasive weed, the cases have risen," he said.
An entomologist, Holly Tuten, from the US called for collaboration between experts working in the field to look for a lasting solution.
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