1
|
Johnson BJ, Weber M, Al-Amin HM, Geier M, Devine GJ. Automated differentiation of mixed populations of free-flying female mosquitoes under semi-field conditions. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3494. [PMID: 38347111 PMCID: PMC10861447 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54233-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Great advances in automated identification systems, or 'smart traps', that differentiate insect species have been made in recent years, yet demonstrations of field-ready devices under free-flight conditions remain rare. Here, we describe the results of mixed-species identification of female mosquitoes using an advanced optoacoustic smart trap design under free-flying conditions. Point-of-capture classification was assessed using mixed populations of congeneric (Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti) and non-congeneric (Ae. aegypti and Anopheles stephensi) container-inhabiting species of medical importance. Culex quinquefasciatus, also common in container habitats, was included as a third species in all assessments. At the aggregate level, mixed collections of non-congeneric species (Ae. aegypti, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and An. stephensi) could be classified at accuracies exceeding 90% (% error = 3.7-7.1%). Conversely, error rates increased when analysing individual replicates (mean % error = 48.6; 95% CI 8.1-68.6) representative of daily trap captures and at the aggregate level when Ae. albopictus was released in the presence of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus (% error = 7.8-31.2%). These findings highlight the many challenges yet to be overcome but also the potential operational utility of optoacoustic surveillance in low diversity settings typical of urban environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Johnson
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia.
| | - Michael Weber
- Biogents AG, Weissenburgstr. 22, 93055, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hasan Mohammad Al-Amin
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Martin Geier
- Biogents AG, Weissenburgstr. 22, 93055, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gregor J Devine
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Park D, Bowles J, Norrid K, Dobson FS, Abebe A, Narayanan HV, Prakash M, Blagburn B, Starkey L, Zohdy S. Effect of age on wingbeat frequency of Aedes aegypti and potential application for age estimation of mosquitoes. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:491-498. [PMID: 36872598 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
To combat mosquito-borne diseases, a variety of vector control tools have been implemented. Estimating age structure in populations of vector species is important for understanding transmission potential. Age-grading techniques have been used as critical methods for evaluating the efficacy of vector control tools. However, methods like mark-release-recapture and ovarian dissection are laborious and require a high level of training. For decades, scientists have discussed the wide array of acoustic signatures of different mosquito species. These distinguishable wingbeat signatures with spatiotemporal classification allow mosquitoes of the same species to locate one another for mating. In recent years, the use of sensitive acoustic devices like mobile phones have proved effective. Wingbeat signatures can be used to identify mosquito species without the challenge of intensive field collections and morphological and molecular identifications. In this study, laboratory Aedes aegypti (L.) female and male wingbeats were recorded using mobile phones to determine whether sex and age differences with chronological time, and across different physiological stages, can be detected. Our results indicate significantly different wingbeat signatures between male and female Ae. aegypti, and a change of wingbeat frequencies with age and reproduction stage in females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doyeon Park
- College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Joy Bowles
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Kate Norrid
- College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - F Stephen Dobson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Ash Abebe
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Haripriya Vaidehi Narayanan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Manu Prakash
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Byron Blagburn
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Lindsay Starkey
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rebora M, Salerno G, Piersanti S, Kovalev A, Gorb SN. The origin of black and white coloration of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 14:496-508. [PMID: 37123532 PMCID: PMC10130904 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.14.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Micro- and nanostructures of the white and black scales on the tarsi of the mosquito Aedes albopictus are analysed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. Reflectance spectra of the white areas are measured. No clear difference is present in the morphology of micro- and nanostructures of black and white scales in SEM and TEM, but black scales contain a dark pigment. The white colour of the scales has a structural origin. The structural white produced by the micro- and nanostructures of the scales on the tarsi of Ae. albopictus appears bright and is angle-dependent, since the reflected light changes according to the angle detection and according to the tarsus orientation. The optical appearance of the scale system of Ae. albopictus has a complex nature and can be explained by the combination of several effects. Among them, multiple refraction and reflection on the micro- and nanostructures of the scales are mainly responsible for the white appearance. The results suggest that mosquito scales, in addition to their superhydrophobic function, produce structural white. The biological role of white and black patches in mate recognition and defensive behaviour in the mosquitoes of the genus Aedes is hypothesized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alexander Kovalev
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098 Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Harmonic convergence coordinates swarm mating by enhancing mate detection in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24102. [PMID: 34916521 PMCID: PMC8677761 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03236-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The mosquito Anopheles gambiae is a major African malaria vector, transmitting parasites responsible for significant mortality and disease burden. Although flight acoustics are essential to mosquito mating and present promising alternatives to insecticide-based vector control strategies, there is limited data on mosquito flight tones during swarming. Here, for the first time, we present detailed analyses of free-flying male and female An. gambiae flight tones and their harmonization (harmonic convergence) over a complete swarm sequence. Audio analysis of single-sex swarms showed synchronized elevation of male and female flight tones during swarming. Analysis of mixed-sex swarms revealed additional 50 Hz increases in male and female flight tones due to mating activity. Furthermore, harmonic differences between male and female swarm tones in mixed-sex swarms and in single-sex male swarms with artificial female swarm audio playback indicate that frequency differences of approximately 50 Hz or less at the male second and female third harmonics (M2:F3) are maintained both before and during mating interactions. This harmonization likely coordinates male scramble competition by maintaining ideal acoustic recognition within mating pairs while acoustically masking phonotactic responses of nearby swarming males to mating females. These findings advance our knowledge of mosquito swarm acoustics and provide vital information for reproductive control strategies.
Collapse
|
5
|
Staunton KM, Goi J, Townsend M, Ritchie SA, Crawford JE, Snoad N, Karl S, Burkot TR. Effect of BG-Lures on the Male Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae) Sound Trap Capture Rates. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:2425-2431. [PMID: 34240181 PMCID: PMC8577766 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
With global expansion of the two main vectors of dengue, Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, Diptera: Culicidae) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse, Diptera: Culicidae), there is a need to further develop cost-effective and user-friendly surveillance tools to monitor the population dynamics of these species. The abundance of Ae. aegypti and Ae. Albopictus, and associated bycatch captured by Male Aedes Sound Traps (MASTs) and BG-Sentinel (BGS) traps that were unbaited or baited with BG-Lures were compared in Cairns, Australia and Madang, Papua New Guinea. Mean male Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus catch rates in MASTs did not significantly differ when deployed with BG-Lures. Similarly, males of both these species were not sampled at statistically different rates in BGS traps with or without BG-Lures. However, MASTs with BG-Lures caught significantly less male Ae. aegypti than BGS traps baited with BG-Lures in Cairns, and MASTs without BG-Lures caught significantly more male Ae. albopictus than BGS traps without BG-Lures in Madang. Additionally, BG-Lures significantly increased female Ae. aegypti catch rates in BGS traps in Cairns. Lastly, bycatch capture rates in BGS traps were not significantly influenced by the addition of the BG-Lures. While this study provides useful information regarding the surveillance of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in these locations, further development and investigation is required to successfully integrate an olfactory lure into the MAST system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyran M Staunton
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
| | - Joelyn Goi
- Vector-Borne Diseases Unit, PNG Institute of Medical Research, Madang, 511 Madang Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Michael Townsend
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
| | - Scott A Ritchie
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
| | | | - Nigel Snoad
- Debug, Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephan Karl
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
- Vector-Borne Diseases Unit, PNG Institute of Medical Research, Madang, 511 Madang Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Thomas R Burkot
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sinka ME, Zilli D, Li Y, Kiskin I, Kirkham D, Rafique W, Wang L, Chan H, Gutteridge B, Herreros‐Moya E, Portwood H, Roberts S, Willis KJ. HumBug – An Acoustic Mosquito Monitoring Tool for use on budget smartphones. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Davide Zilli
- Mind Foundry Ltd Oxford UK
- Department of Engineering Science University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | | | - Ivan Kiskin
- Department of Engineering Science University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | | | - Waqas Rafique
- Department of Engineering Science University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Lawrence Wang
- Department of Engineering Science University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Henry Chan
- Department of Engineering Science University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | | | | | | | - Stephen Roberts
- Mind Foundry Ltd Oxford UK
- Department of Engineering Science University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Designing Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquito Traps: The Evolution of the Male Aedes Sound Trap by Iterative Evaluation. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12050388. [PMID: 33925425 PMCID: PMC8146609 DOI: 10.3390/insects12050388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Effective surveillance of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, Diptera: Culicidae) is critical to monitoring the impact of vector control measures when mitigating disease transmission by this species. There are benefits to deploying male-specific traps, particularly when a high level of catch-specificity is desired. Here, the rationale behind the developmental process of an entirely new trap which uses a sound lure to capture male Ae. aegypti, the male Aedes sound trap (MAST), is presented as a target product profile with findings from developmental trials of key trap components and performance. Trial results suggest that the presence of a black base associated with the trap influenced male catches as did variations in size of this base, to a degree. Trap entrance shape didn't influence catch rates, but entrance size did. No significant differences in catch rates were found when sound lures were set to intermittent or continuous playbacks, at volumes between 63-74 dB or frequencies of 450 Hz compared to 500 Hz. Additionally, adult males aged 3 days post-eclosion, were less responsive to sound lures set to 500 Hz than those 4 or 6 days old. Lastly, almost no males were caught when the MAST directly faced continual winds of 1.5 ms-1, but males were captured at low rates during intermittent winds, or if the trap faced away from the wind. The developmental process to optimising this trap is applicable to the development of alternate mosquito traps beyond Aedes sound traps and provides useful information towards the improved surveillance of these disease vectors.
Collapse
|
8
|
Kittichai V, Pengsakul T, Chumchuen K, Samung Y, Sriwichai P, Phatthamolrat N, Tongloy T, Jaksukam K, Chuwongin S, Boonsang S. Deep learning approaches for challenging species and gender identification of mosquito vectors. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4838. [PMID: 33649429 PMCID: PMC7921658 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84219-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microscopic observation of mosquito species, which is the basis of morphological identification, is a time-consuming and challenging process, particularly owing to the different skills and experience of public health personnel. We present deep learning models based on the well-known you-only-look-once (YOLO) algorithm. This model can be used to simultaneously classify and localize the images to identify the species of the gender of field-caught mosquitoes. The results indicated that the concatenated two YOLO v3 model exhibited the optimal performance in identifying the mosquitoes, as the mosquitoes were relatively small objects compared with the large proportional environment image. The robustness testing of the proposed model yielded a mean average precision and sensitivity of 99% and 92.4%, respectively. The model exhibited high performance in terms of the specificity and accuracy, with an extremely low rate of misclassification. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.958 ± 0.011, which further demonstrated the model accuracy. Thirteen classes were detected with an accuracy of 100% based on a confusion matrix. Nevertheless, the relatively low detection rates for the two species were likely a result of the limited number of wild-caught biological samples available. The proposed model can help establish the population densities of mosquito vectors in remote areas to predict disease outbreaks in advance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veerayuth Kittichai
- Faculty of Medicine, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, 1 chalongkrug road, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Kemmapon Chumchuen
- Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Yudthana Samung
- Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Natthaphop Phatthamolrat
- College of Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, 1 chalongkrug road, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Teerawat Tongloy
- College of Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, 1 chalongkrug road, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Komgrit Jaksukam
- College of Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, 1 chalongkrug road, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Santhad Chuwongin
- College of Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, 1 chalongkrug road, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Siridech Boonsang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, 1 chalongkrug road, Bangkok, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Staunton KM, Leiva D, Cruz A, Goi J, Arisqueta C, Liu J, Desnoyer M, Howell P, Espinosa F, Mendoza AC, Karl S, Crawford JE, Xiang W, Manrique-Saide P, Achee NL, Grieco JP, Ritchie SA, Burkot TR, Snoad N. Outcomes from international field trials with Male Aedes Sound Traps: Frequency-dependent effectiveness in capturing target species in relation to bycatch abundance. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009061. [PMID: 33630829 PMCID: PMC7906331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus vector dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. With both species expanding their global distributions at alarming rates, developing effective surveillance equipment is a continuing priority for public health researchers. Sound traps have been shown, in limited testing, to be highly species-specific when emitting a frequency corresponding to a female mosquito wingbeat. Determining male mosquito capture rates in sound traps based on lure frequencies in endemic settings is the next step for informed deployment of these surveillance tools. We field-evaluated Male Aedes Sound Traps (MASTs) set to either 450 Hz, 500 Hz, 550 Hz or 600 Hz for sampling Aedes aegypti and/or Aedes albopictus and compared catch rates to BG-Sentinel traps within Pacific (Madang, Papua New Guinea) and Latin American (Molas, Mexico and Orange Walk Town, Belize) locations. MASTs set to 450-550 Hz consistently caught male Ae. aegypti at rates comparable to BG-Sentinel traps in all locations. A peak in male Ae. albopictus captures in MASTs set at 550 Hz was observed, with the lowest mean abundance recorded in MASTs set to 450 Hz. While significantly higher abundances of male Culex were sampled in MASTs emitting lower relative frequencies in Molas, overall male Culex were captured in significantly lower abundances in the MASTs, relative to BG-Sentinel traps within all locations. Finally, significant differences in rates at which male Aedes and Culex were positively detected in trap-types per weekly collections were broadly consistent with trends in abundance data per trap-type. MASTs at 550 Hz effectively captured both male Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus while greatly reducing bycatch, especially male Culex, in locations where dengue transmission has occurred. This high species-specificity of the MAST not only reduces staff-time required to sort samples, but can also be exploited to develop an accurate smart-trap system-both outcomes potentially reducing public health program expenses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyran M. Staunton
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
| | - Donovan Leiva
- Belize Vector and Ecology Center (BVEC), Orange Walk Town, Belize, Central America
| | - Alvaro Cruz
- Belize Vector and Ecology Center (BVEC), Orange Walk Town, Belize, Central America
| | - Joelyn Goi
- Vector-Borne Diseases Unit, PNG Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Carlos Arisqueta
- Collaborative Unit for Entomological Bioassays (UCBE) and the Laboratory of Biological Control for Ae. aegypti, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, México
| | - Jianyi Liu
- Verily Life Sciences, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Mark Desnoyer
- Verily Life Sciences, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Paul Howell
- Verily Life Sciences, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Francia Espinosa
- Collaborative Unit for Entomological Bioassays (UCBE) and the Laboratory of Biological Control for Ae. aegypti, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, México
| | - Azael Che Mendoza
- Collaborative Unit for Entomological Bioassays (UCBE) and the Laboratory of Biological Control for Ae. aegypti, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, México
| | - Stephan Karl
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
- Vector-Borne Diseases Unit, PNG Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Jacob E. Crawford
- Verily Life Sciences, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Wei Xiang
- School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Pablo Manrique-Saide
- Collaborative Unit for Entomological Bioassays (UCBE) and the Laboratory of Biological Control for Ae. aegypti, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, México
| | - Nicole L. Achee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - John P. Grieco
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Scott A. Ritchie
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
| | - Thomas R. Burkot
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, Australia
| | - Nigel Snoad
- Verily Life Sciences, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dou Z, Madan A, Carlson JS, Chung J, Spoleti T, Dimopoulos G, Cammarato A, Mittal R. Acoustotactic response of mosquitoes in untethered flight to incidental sound. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1884. [PMID: 33479423 PMCID: PMC7820424 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81456-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes are vectors for some of the most devastating diseases on the planet. Given the centrality of acoustic sensing in the precopulatory behavior of these vectors, the use of an exogenous acoustic stimulus offers the potential of interfering with the courtship behavior of these insects. Previous research on the acoustotactic response of mosquitoes has been conducted on tethered preparations using low-intensity sound stimuli. To quantify differences in acoustotactic responses between mosquitos of distinct sex and species, we examined the effects of incidental sound stimuli on the flight behavior of free-flying male vs. female Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. The key variables were sound frequency (100–1000 Hz) and intensity (67–103 dB, measured at 12.5 cm from the source), and the acoustotactic response was measured in terms of the relative increase in flight speed in response to the stimulus. The data show, for the first time, significant sex- and species-specific differences in acoustotactic responses. A. aegypti exhibited a greater response to sound stimulus compared to An. gambiae, and the response also extended over a larger range of frequencies. Furthermore, the males of both species displayed a greater acoustotactic response than females, with An. gambiae females exhibiting minimal response to sound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwang Dou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aditi Madan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jenny S Carlson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joseph Chung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tyler Spoleti
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - George Dimopoulos
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anthony Cammarato
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rajat Mittal
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Staunton KM, Crawford JE, Liu J, Townsend M, Han Y, Desnoyer M, Howell P, Xiang W, Burkot TR, Snoad N, Ritchie SA. A Low-Powered and Highly Selective Trap for Male Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae) Surveillance: The Male Aedes Sound Trap. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:408-415. [PMID: 32740655 PMCID: PMC7801748 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
As Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, Diptera: Culicidae) expands its global distribution and vectors a range of debilitating arboviruses there is an increased need for enhanced mosquito surveillance. Consequently, we developed a Male Aedes Sound Trap (MAST) that requires minimal power and is highly species-specific. Two different versions of the MAST were developed, one that uses synthetic pyrethroid to kill captured mosquitoes (MAST Spray) and another which has an internal divider to create a killing chamber in which a sticky panel can be placed to capture mosquitoes (MAST Sticky). We compared weekly capture rates of male Ae. aegypti and bycatch from the two MAST versions to those from BG-Sentinel (BGS) traps and Sound-producing BG-Gravid Aedes Traps (SGATs) throughout Cairns, northern Australia. Weekly mean male Ae. aegypti catches did not significantly differ between trap types. However, the rate of positive weekly detections of male Ae. aegypti was lower for the MAST Sticky than the other three trap types. The MASTs sampled significantly fewer mosquitoes other than male Ae. aegypti, than either the BGS trap or the SGAT. Also, the MASTs and SGATs all caught significantly less non-Culicidae bycatch than the BGS traps. Consequently, we have developed a versatile male Ae. aegypti trap which is potentially of great benefit to Ae. aegypti surveillance programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyran M Staunton
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD, Australia
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
| | | | - Jianyi Liu
- Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA
| | - Michael Townsend
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD, Australia
| | - Yu Han
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Paul Howell
- Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA
| | - Wei Xiang
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD, Australia
| | - Thomas R Burkot
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD, Australia
| | - Nigel Snoad
- Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA
| | - Scott A Ritchie
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Andrés M, Su MP, Albert J, Cator LJ. Buzzkill: targeting the mosquito auditory system. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 40:11-17. [PMID: 32505906 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sound plays an important role in mosquito sensory ecology. Acoustic perception and acoustically driven behaviours therefore represent potentially effective control targets. Previous scientific efforts around acoustic-based control and surveillance have not been systematic and ambiguity around the exact role of acoustic communication in conspecific interactions remains. Here, we briefly review recent advances in mosquito auditory physiology and behavioural ecology as well as ongoing activities to incorporate sound into control and surveillance tools. We highlight areas where increased collaboration between physiologists, molecular biologists, behavioural ecologists and control experts is needed to capitalize on this progress and realize the potential of sound-based technologies and strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Andrés
- Ear Institute, University College London, London, WC1X 8EE, United Kingdom; The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew P Su
- Ear Institute, University College London, London, WC1X 8EE, United Kingdom; Division of Biological Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Joerg Albert
- Ear Institute, University College London, London, WC1X 8EE, United Kingdom; The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom.
| | - Lauren J Cator
- Grand Challenges in Ecosystems and Environment, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot, SL5 7PY, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rohde BB, Staunton KM, Zeak NC, Beebe N, Snoad N, Bondarenco A, Liddington C, Anderson JA, Xiang W, Mankin RW, Ritchie SA. Waterproof, low-cost, long-battery-life sound trap for surveillance of male Aedes aegypti for rear-and-release mosquito control programmes. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:417. [PMID: 31488182 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3647-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sterile male rear-and-release programmes are of growing interest for controlling Aedes aegypti, including use an "incompatible insect technique" (IIT) to suppress transmission of dengue, Zika, and other viruses. Under IIT, males infected with Wolbachia are released into the suppression area to induce cytoplasmic incompatibility in uninfected populations. These and similar mosquito-release programmes require cost-effective field surveys of both sexes to optimize the locations, timing, and quantity of releases. Unfortunately, traps that sample male Ae. aegypti effectively are expensive and usually require mains power. Recently, an electronic lure was developed that attracts males using a 484 Hz sinusoidal tone mimicking the female wingbeat frequencies, broadcast in a 120 s on/off cycle. When deployed in commercially available gravid Aedes traps (GATs), the new combination, sound-GAT (SGAT), captures both males and females effectively. Given its success, there is interest in optimizing SGAT to reduce cost and power usage while maximizing catch rates. METHODS Options considered in this study included use of a smaller, lower-power microcontroller (Tiny) with either the original or a lower-cost speaker (lcS). A 30 s on/off cycle was tested in addition to the original 120 s cycle to minimize the potential that the longer cycle induced habituation. The original SGAT was compared against other traps incorporating the Tiny-based lures for mosquito capture in a large semi-field cage. The catch rates in waterproofed versions of this trap were then compared with catch rates in standard [BG-Sentinel 2 (BGS 2); Biogents AG, Regensburg, Germany] traps during an IIT field study in the Innisfail region of Queensland, Australia in 2017. RESULTS The system with a low-power microcontroller and low-cost speaker playing a 30 s tone (Tiny-lcS-30s) caught the highest proportion of males. The mean proportions of males caught in a semi-field cage were not significantly different among the original design and the four low-power, low-cost versions of the SGAT. During the IIT field study, the waterproofed version of the highest-rated, Tiny-lcS-30s SGAT captured male Ae. aegypti at similar rates as co-located BGS-2 traps. CONCLUSIONS Power- and cost-optimized, waterproofed versions of male Ae. aegypti acoustic lures in GATs are now available for field use in areas with sterile male mosquito rear-and-release programmes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barukh B Rohde
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. .,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia. .,Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
| | - Kyran M Staunton
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.,Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Nicholas C Zeak
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.,Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Nigel Beebe
- Health and Biosecurity, CSIRO, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nigel Snoad
- Verily Life Sciences, 259 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | | | | | | | - Wei Xiang
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, 4878, Australia
| | - Richard W Mankin
- Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Scott A Ritchie
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.,Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| |
Collapse
|