scholarly journals Temperature and Sugar Feeding Effects on the Activity of a Laboratory Strain of Aedes aegypti

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irvin Forde Upshur ◽  
Elizabeth Annadel Bose ◽  
Cameron Hart ◽  
Chloé Lahondère
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Laboratory Strain ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Total Carbohydrate ◽  
Sugar Feeding ◽  
Host Seeking ◽  
Invasive Mosquito

Aedes aegypti is an invasive mosquito species that is expected to expand its global distribution through climate change. As poikilotherms, mosquitoes are greatly affected by the temperature of the environment which can impact host-seeking, blood-feeding, and flight activity as well as survival and ability to transmit pathogens. However, an important aspect of mosquito biology on which the effect of temperature has not been investigated is water and sugar-feeding and how access to a sugar source might affect the insect’s activity and survival under different thermal conditions. To close this knowledge gap, we relied on actometer experiments to study the activity of both female and male Ae. aegypti at 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C, providing either water or 10% sucrose to the insects. We then measured the total carbohydrate contents of alive mosquitoes using the anthrone protocol. Survival was assessed and compared between all groups. Results from this study will inform on the thermal biology of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and how access to sugar affects their activity.

scholarly journals A LAMP-based colorimetric assay to expedite field surveillance of the invasive mosquito species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. e0008130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bixing Huang ◽  
Brian L. Montgomery ◽  
Rebecca Adamczyk ◽  
Gerhard Ehlers ◽  
Andrew F. van den Hurk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Aedes Albopictus ◽  
Colorimetric Assay ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Invasive Mosquito Species ◽  
Invasive Mosquito

scholarly journals Laboratory colonization by Dirofilaria immitis alters the microbiome of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulsalam Adegoke ◽  
Erik Neff ◽  
Amie Geary ◽  
Montana Ciara Husser ◽  
Kevin Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Klebsiella Oxytoca ◽  
Variable Region ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Filarial Nematodes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The ability of blood feeding arthropods to successfully acquire and transmit pathogens of medical and veterinary importance has been shown to be interfered with, or enhanced by, the arthropod’s native microbiome. Mosquitoes transmit viruses, protozoan and filarial nematodes, the majority of which contribute to the 17% of infectious disease cases worldwide. Dirofilaria immitis , a mosquito transmitted by filarial nematodes of dogs and cats, is vectored by several mosquito species including Aedes aegypti . Methods: In this study, we investigated the impact of D. immitis colonization on the microbiome of laboratory reared female A. aegypti . Metagenomic analysis of the V3-V4 variable region of the microbial 16SRNA was used for identification of the microbial differences down to species level. Results We generated a total of 1068 OTUs representing 16 phyla, 181 genera and 271 bacterial species. Overall, in order of abundance, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were the most represented phylum with D. immitis infected mosquitoes having more of Proteobacteria (71%) than uninfected mosquitoes (56.9%). An interesting finding in this study is the detection of Klebsiella oxytoca in relatively similar abundance in infected and uninfected mosquitoes, suggesting a possible endosymbiotic relationship, and has been previously shown to indirectly compete for nutrients with fungi on domestic housefly eggs and larva. While D. immitis colonization has no effect on the overall species richness, we identified significant differences in the composition of selected bacteria genus and phylum between the two groups. We also reported distinct compositional and phylogenetic differences in the individual bacteria species when commonly identified bacteria were compared. Conclusions In conclusion, this is the first study to the best of our knowledge to understand the impact of a filarial infection on the microbiome of its mosquito vector. Further studies are required to identify bacteria species that could play an important role in the mosquito biology. While the microbiome composition of A. aegypti mosquito have been previously reported, our study shows that in an effort to establish itself, a filarial nematode modifies and alters the overall microbial diversity within its mosquito host.

scholarly journals Seasonal Dynamics and Spatial Distribution of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in a Temperate Region in Europe, Southern Portugal

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7083
Author(s):  
Hugo C. Osório ◽  
Jorge Rocha ◽  
Rita Roquette ◽  
Nélia M. Guerreiro ◽  
Líbia Zé-Zé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Albopictus ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Temperate Region ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
Invasive Mosquito ◽  
Average Minimum Temperature

Aedes albopictus is an invasive mosquito that has colonized several European countries as well as Portugal, where it was detected for the first time in 2017. To increase the knowledge of Ae. albopictus population dynamics, a survey was carried out in the municipality of Loulé, Algarve, a Southern temperate region of Portugal, throughout 2019, with Biogents Sentinel traps (BGS traps) and ovitraps. More than 19,000 eggs and 400 adults were identified from May 9 (week 19) and December 16 (week 50). A positive correlation between the number of females captured in the BGS traps and the number of eggs collected in ovitraps was found. The start of activity of A. albopictus in May corresponded to an average minimum temperature above 13.0 °C and an average maximum temperature of 26.2 °C. The abundance peak of this A. albopictus population was identified from September to November. The positive effect of temperature on the seasonal activity of the adult population observed highlight the importance of climate change in affecting the occurrence, abundance, and distribution patterns of this species. The continuously monitoring activities currently ongoing point to an established population of A. albopictus in Loulé, Algarve, in a dispersion process to other regions of Portugal and raises concern for future outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases associated with this invasive mosquito species.

Detection of Fluorescent Powders and Their Effect on Survival and Recapture of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 266-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Rojas-Araya ◽  
Barry W Alto ◽  
Nathan Burkett-Cadena ◽  
Derek At Cummings
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Host Seeking ◽  
Baited Traps ◽  
Impact On Survival ◽  
Invasive Mosquito ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
Potential Impact

Abstract The use of insect markers, such as fluorescent powders, is a useful tool for studying ecological and epidemiological questions. Evaluating their effect on vectors of human disease agents, such as the invasive mosquito vector Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), is crucial for their practical and reliable use, especially in parameters linked to the risk of disease transmission such as adult survival, dispersal, and host-seeking. Seven fluorescent powders (Hercules Radiant, DayGlo (DG), Risk Reactor (RR), and Angstrom Technologies), applied externally on cohorts of Ae. aegypti female mosquitoes, were tested to determine their impact on survival and recapture by baited mosquito traps, and their detectability after being exposed to controlled laboratory and semifield environments. There were no significant differences in survival among marked and unmarked females across all powders. Marked females were significantly less likely to be captured in baited traps relative to unmarked females, except for one of the DG powders. All females remained visibly marked on five parts of their body for 30 d (under both environments), except for one of the RR powders. The tested powders and application method are suitable for tracking mosquitoes throughout most of their lives under different environments, without significantly affecting their survival, but with potential impact on recapture by baited traps, possibly due to effects on senses or other physiological traits.

scholarly journals Laboratory colonization by Dirofilaria immitis alters the microbiome of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulsalam Adegoke ◽  
Erik Neff ◽  
Amie Geary ◽  
Montana Ciara Husser ◽  
Kevin Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Klebsiella Oxytoca ◽  
Variable Region ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Filarial Nematodes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The ability of blood-feeding arthropods to successfully acquire and transmit pathogens of medical and veterinary importance has been shown to be interfered with, or enhanced by, the arthropod’s native microbiome. Mosquitoes transmit viruses, protozoan and filarial nematodes, the majority of which contribute to the 17% of infectious disease cases worldwide. Dirofilaria immitis, a mosquito-transmitted filarial nematodes of dogs and cats, is vectored by several mosquito species including Aedes aegypti.Methods: In this study, we investigated the impact of D. immitis colonization on the microbiome of laboratory reared female Ae. aegypti. Metagenomic analysis of the V3-V4 variable region of the microbial 16S RNA gene was used for identification of the microbial differences down to species level.Results: We generated a total of 1068 OTUs representing 16 phyla, 181 genera and 271 bacterial species. Overall, in order of abundance, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were the most represented phylum with D. immitis-infected mosquitoes having more of Proteobacteria (71%) than uninfected mosquitoes (56.9%). An interesting finding in this study is the detection of Klebsiella oxytoca in relatively similar abundance in infected and uninfected mosquitoes, suggesting a possible endosymbiotic relationship, and has been previously shown to indirectly compete for nutrients with fungi on domestic housefly eggs and larvae. While D. immitis colonization has no effect on the overall species richness, we identified significant differences in the composition of selected bacterial genera and phyla between the two groups. We also reported distinct compositional and phylogenetic differences in the individual bacterial species when commonly identified bacteria were compared.Conclusions: In conclusion, this is the first study to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to understand the impact of a filarial infection on the microbiome of its mosquito vector. Further studies are required to identify bacteria species that could play an important role in the mosquito biology. While the microbiome composition of Ae. aegypti mosquito have been previously reported, our study shows that in an effort to establish itself, a filarial nematode modifies and alters the overall microbial diversity within its mosquito host.

scholarly journals Comparative Analyses on Synthetic Membranes for Artificial Blood Feeding of Aedes aegypti using Digital Thermo Mosquito Blood Feeder (DITMOF)

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Farihan Md Yatim ◽  
Aishah Hani Azil ◽  
Nazarudin Safian ◽  
Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Salleh ◽  
Mohd Khadri Shahar
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
Synthetic Membranes ◽  
Artificial Blood ◽  
Cattle Blood ◽  
Sausage Casing

The use of live animal to blood feeding mosquito colony is proven to be expensive and inconvenient. As an alternative, artificial feeding (AF) is used to rear mosquito colony. The use of synthetic membrane in AF provided a more convenient method as compared to natural membrane which require extensive preparation. In this study, three synthetic membranes were compared (Parafilm-M, Polytetrafluoroethylene tape or PTFE tape and collagen sausage casing) to blood feeding Aedes aegypti. The membranes were incorporated with our in-house developed device named as Digital Thermo Mosquito Blood Feeder (DITMOF) to heat cattle blood for mosquito feeding. Results showed that PTFE tape recorded the highest blood feeding rate (95.00% ± 1.67%) with significant mean difference (p <0.001) as compared to both Parafilm-M (72.00% ± 2.60%) and collagen sausage casing (71.50% ± 3.50%). However, there was no difference in term of fecundity for mosquito feed with all three membranes tested (p=0.292). In conclusion, PTFE tape should be considered as the preferred membrane to blood feeding Ae. aegypti. Furthermore, this artificial blood feeding system, DITMOF successfully feed Ae. aegypti conveniently and effectively, thus should be further tested to feed other mosquito species.

scholarly journals Novel small molecule agonists of an Aedes aegypti neuropeptide Y receptor block mosquito biting behavior

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura B. Duvall ◽  
Lavoisier Ramos-Espiritu ◽  
Kyrollos E. Barsoum ◽  
J. Fraser Glickman ◽  
Leslie B. Vosshall
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Neuropeptide Y ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Blood Meal ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Behavioral Suppression ◽  
Host Seeking ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Seeking Behavior

AbstractFemale Aedes aegypti mosquitoes bite humans to obtain a blood-meal to develop their eggs. Remarkably, strong attraction to humans is suppressed for several days after the blood-meal by an unknown mechanism. We investigated a role for neuropeptide Y (NPY)-related signaling in this long-term behavioral suppression, and discovered that drugs targeting human NPY receptors modulate mosquito host-seeking behavior. In a screen of all 49 predicted Ae. aegypti peptide receptors, we identified NPY-like receptor 7 (NPYLR7) as the sole target of these human drugs. To obtain small molecule agonists selective for NPYLR7, we carried out a high-throughput cell-based assay of 265,211 compounds, and isolated 6 highly selective NPYLR7 agonists that inhibit mosquito attraction to humans. NPYLR7 CRISPR-Cas9 null mutants are defective in behavioral suppression, and resistant to these drugs. Finally, we show that these drugs are capable of inhibiting biting and blood-feeding on a live host, suggesting a novel approach to control infectious disease transmission by controlling mosquito behavior.

scholarly journals Investigation of Biological Factors Contributing to Individual Variation in Viral Titer after Oral Infection of Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes by Sindbis Virus

Viruses ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Peter Hodoameda ◽  
Linus Addae ◽  
Rollie J. Clem
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
High Titer ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Virus Titer ◽  
Laboratory Strain ◽  
Virus Concentration ◽  
Biological Factors ◽  
Single Experiment

The mechanisms involved in determining arbovirus vector competence, or the ability of an arbovirus to infect and be transmitted by an arthropod vector, are still incompletely understood. It is well known that vector competence for a particular arbovirus can vary widely among different populations of a mosquito species, which is generally attributed to genetic differences between populations. What is less understood is the considerable variability (up to several logs) that is routinely observed in the virus titer between individual mosquitoes in a single experiment, even in mosquitoes from highly inbred lines. This extreme degree of variation in the virus titer between individual mosquitoes has been largely ignored in past studies. We investigated which biological factors can affect titer variation between individual mosquitoes of a laboratory strain of Aedes aegypti, the Orlando strain, after Sindbis virus infection. Greater titer variation was observed after oral versus intrathoracic infection, suggesting that the midgut barrier contributes to titer variability. Among the other factors tested, only the length of the incubation period affected the degree of titer variability, while virus strain, mosquito strain, mosquito age, mosquito weight, amount of blood ingested, and virus concentration in the blood meal had no discernible effect. We also observed differences in culture adaptability and in the ability to orally infect mosquitoes between virus populations obtained from low and high titer mosquitoes, suggesting that founder effects may affect the virus titer in individual mosquitoes, although other explanations also remain possible.

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