Agricultural Fungicide Mancozeb in Leaf Litter Enhances Survival and Growth of <scp> <i>Aedes aegypti</i> </scp> (Diptera: Culicidae)

Mancozeb is one of the most widely used agricultural fungicides, exhibiting strong efficacy against a broad spectrum of phytopathogenic fungi. However, its widespread application comes at the cost of environmental contamination. Here, we show the effects of Inga vera leaf litter contamination with Mancozeb on life-history traits of Aedes aegypti, focusing on larval mortality, adult wing size, and wing asymmetry. To evaluate the interactive effects of Mancozeb and I. vera leaf litter, we tested four treatments prepared from 14-day leachates of I. vera leaves: Control, 0.3, 15, and 40 μg.L^-1 Mancozeb (n = 10 per treatment). Our results revealed that higher Mancozeb concentrations were associated with decreased larval mortality, larger adult body size, and no significant changes in wing asymmetry. These results suggest that the suppression of fungal decomposers and pathogens by Mancozeb preserves organic matter and increases nutrient availability in breeding sites, indirectly enhancing mosquito survival and development. The ecological benefits conferred by Mancozeb on Ae. aegypti populations may, in turn, elevate the transmission risk of vector-borne diseases. By investigating these parameters, we provide insights into how agricultural fungicide contamination in mosquito breeding sites may influence Ae. aegypti population dynamics and vector competence in both rural areas and urban centers adjacent to agricultural zones.