Abstract
Today, plastic pollution has become ubiquitous. Fragmentation and degradation of macroplastics create microplastics, known for their direct hazards but also for their capacity to serve as carriers of contaminants and microorganisms. This persistent pollution threatens numerous organisms across ecosystems, potentially impacting also disease vectors such as mosquitoes. In this context, our research project aims to untangle the intricate connections between microplastic pollution, environmental contexts (spanning urban, peri-urban, and ‘natural’ settings), and the life history traits and microbiota of mosquitoes - a crucial factor influencing their vectorial capacity.From this project, an interdisciplinary initiative encompassing ecology and anthropology has emerged, studying and focusing on the dynamic interplay between humans, mosquitoes, plastics, and waters in Montpellier (France). To achieve this, 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted with a diverse array of stakeholders, primarily associated with the research project. They were complemented by participant observations of various stages of the project, both in the field and in laboratory settings. These methodologies aim to yield qualitative insights into participants’ perceptions regarding mosquitoes, waters, and plastics, as well as the intricate links, or lack thereof, between these elements, associated practices, and the attendant challenges.These interviews have unveiled multifaceted perspectives on mosquitoes, encompassing concerns about their biting nuisances, potential for disease transmission, alongside recognizing their ecological significance within food chains. However, perception of plastic pollution was more homogeneous among the surveyed individuals. Another pivotal objective of the project was to shed light on the actors of the project, processes, and methodologies employed in generating scientific findings, tracing the trajectory of water and mosquito samples from the field to the lab. Our interviews unveiled that stakeholders possess a nuanced comprehension of the research project, influenced by their specific roles within it. Consequently, enhancing communication seems essential for research initiatives involving a consortium of individuals from diverse institutes.