1
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Cull B, Vo BN, Webb C, Williams CR. iNaturalist community observations provide valuable data on human-mosquito encounters. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2024; 49:R12-R26. [PMID: 39315958 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-49.2.r12] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and the pathogens they transmit represent a threat to human and animal health. Low-cost and effective surveillance methods are necessary to enable sustainable monitoring of mosquito distributions, diversity, and human interactions. This study examined the use of iNaturalist, an online, community-populated biodiversity recording database, for passive mosquito surveillance in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, countries under threat from the introduction of invasive mosquitoes and emerging mosquito-borne diseases. The Mozzie Monitors UK & Ireland iNaturalist project was established to collate mosquito observations in these countries. Data were compared with existing long-term mosquito UK datasets to assess representativeness of seasonal and distribution trends in citizen scientist-recorded observations. The project collected 738 observations with the majority recorded 2020-2022. Records were primarily associated with urban areas, with the most common species Culex pipiens and Culiseta annulata significantly more likely to be observed in urban areas than other species. Analysis of images uploaded to the iNaturalist project also provided insights into human-biting behavior. Our analyses indicate that iNaturalist provides species composition, seasonal occurrence, and distribution figures consistent with existing datasets and is therefore a useful surveillance tool for recording information on human interactions with mosquitoes and monitoring species of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Cull
- Department of Entomology, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, U.S.A.,
| | - Bao N Vo
- UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Cameron Webb
- Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Craig R Williams
- UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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2
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Shannon DM, Richardson N, Lahondère C, Peach D. Mosquito floral visitation and pollination. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 65:101230. [PMID: 38971524 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
We often consider mosquitoes through an 'anthropocentric lens' that disregards their interactions with nonhuman and nonpathogenic organisms, even though these interactions can be harnessed for mosquito control. Mosquitoes have been recognized as floral visitors, and pollinators, for more than a century. However, we know relatively little about mosquito-plant interactions, excepting some nutrition and chemical ecology-related topics, compared with mosquito-host interactions, and frequently use flawed methodology when investigating them. Recent work demonstrates mosquitoes use multimodal sensory cues to locate flowers, including ultraviolet visual cues, and we may underestimate mosquito pollination. This review focuses on current knowledge of how mosquitoes locate flowers, floral visitation assay methodology, mosquito pollination, and implications for technologies such as sterile male mosquito release through genetic control programs or Wolbachia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica M Shannon
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29802, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Nalany Richardson
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29802, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Chloé Lahondère
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; The Global Change Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; The Fralin Life Science Institute Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Center of Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Daniel Peach
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29802, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Precision One Health Initiative, University of Georgia, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada.
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3
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Foster WA. Mosquito pollination of plants: an overview of their role and an assessment of the possible contribution of disease vectors. Transgenic Res 2024:10.1007/s11248-024-00394-w. [PMID: 39172353 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-024-00394-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Mosquitoes visit flowers to obtain sugar or other nutrients and therefore possibly serve as major or minor pollinators of some plant species. They also often derive plant nutrients from other sources, such as extrafloral nectaries and honeydew. In a few cases, the plant-mosquito relationship is close, and mosquito pollination has been confirmed. Most plant species visited by mosquitoes, however, appear to depend on multiple means of pollination, particularly other flower-feeding insects. In addition, most mosquito species visit the flowers of many kinds of plants, possibly dispersing pollen in both biologically meaningful and irrelevant ways. This apparent lack of selectivity by both plants and mosquitoes liberates each of them from dependence on an unreliable pollen vehicle or nutrient source. A hypothetical pollinating role for the two top vectors of devastating human-disease pathogens, Anopheles gambiae or Aedes aegypti, relies on indirect evidence. So far, this evidence suggests that their participation in pollen transfer of native, introduced, or beneficial plants is negligible. The few plant species likely to be pollinated by these vectors are mostly invasive, harmful weeds associated with humans. That conclusion draws support from four characteristics of these vectors: (1) the numerous alternative potential pollinators of the flowers they visit; (2) their common use of diverse non-floral sources of nutrients; (3) the females' infrequent sugar feeding and heavy reliance on human blood for energy; and (4) their relatively low population densities. From these traits it follows that focused suppression or elimination of these two vectors, by whatever means, is highly unlikely to have adverse effects on pollination in endemic biotic communities or on ornamental plants or food crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woodbridge A Foster
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology and Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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4
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Peach DAH. Sugar Detection in Mosquitoes via Anthrone Tests. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2024; 2024:108301. [PMID: 36972956 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot108301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Adult mosquitoes feed on plant sugar, frequently in the form of floral nectar. However, because of spatial and temporal variation in this behavior, as well as to the predilection of most mosquitoes to alter their behavior in the presence of a researcher, observing mosquito nectar feeding and similar behaviors directly in real time is not always feasible. In this protocol, I describe methods for hot and cold anthrone tests, which can be used to quantify the degree to which mosquito sugar feeding occurs in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A H Peach
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
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5
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Paré PSL, Hien DFDS, Youba M, Yerbanga RS, Cohuet A, Gouagna L, Diabaté A, Ignell R, Dabiré RK, Gnankiné O, Lefèvre T. The paradox of plant preference: The malaria vectors Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii select suboptimal food sources for their survival and reproduction. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11187. [PMID: 38533352 PMCID: PMC10963300 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes, two major malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa, exhibit selectivity among plant species as potential food sources. However, it remains unclear if their preference aligns with optimal nutrient intake and survival. Following an extensive screening of the effects of 31 plant species on An. coluzzii in Burkina Faso, we selected three species for their contrasting effects on mosquito survival, namely Ixora coccinea, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, and Combretum indicum. We assessed the sugar content of these plants and their impact on mosquito fructose positivity, survival, and insemination rate, using Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae, with glucose 5% and water as controls. Plants displayed varying sugar content and differentially affected the survival, sugar intake, and insemination rate of mosquitoes. All three plants were more attractive to mosquitoes than controls, with An. gambiae being more responsive than An. coluzzii. Notably, C. indicum was the most attractive but had the lowest sugar content and offered the lowest survival, insemination rate, and fructose positivity. Our findings unveil a performance-preference mismatch in An. coluzzii and An. gambiae regarding plant food sources. Several possible reasons for this negative correlation between performance and preference are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisca S. L. Paré
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
- MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRSMontpellierFrance
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliquée (LEFA), Unité de Formation et de Recherche—Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR‐SVT)Université Joseph KI‐ZERBO (UJKZ)OuagadougouBurkina Faso
| | - Domonbabele F. D. S. Hien
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
- MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRSMontpellierFrance
- Laboratoire Mixte International Sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
| | - Mariam Youba
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
- MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRSMontpellierFrance
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliquée (LEFA), Unité de Formation et de Recherche—Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR‐SVT)Université Joseph KI‐ZERBO (UJKZ)OuagadougouBurkina Faso
| | - Rakiswendé S. Yerbanga
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
- Laboratoire Mixte International Sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
- Institut Des Sciences et Techniques (INSTech—BOBO)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
| | - Anna Cohuet
- MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRSMontpellierFrance
- Laboratoire Mixte International Sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
| | | | - Abdoulaye Diabaté
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
- Laboratoire Mixte International Sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
| | - Rickard Ignell
- Unit of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Disease Vector GroupSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | - Roch K. Dabiré
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
- Laboratoire Mixte International Sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
| | - Olivier Gnankiné
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliquée (LEFA), Unité de Formation et de Recherche—Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR‐SVT)Université Joseph KI‐ZERBO (UJKZ)OuagadougouBurkina Faso
| | - Thierry Lefèvre
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
- MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRSMontpellierFrance
- Laboratoire Mixte International Sur les Vecteurs (LAMIVECT)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
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6
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Torto B, Tchouassi DP. Chemical Ecology and Management of Dengue Vectors. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 69:159-182. [PMID: 37625116 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-020123-015755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Dengue, caused by the dengue virus, is the most widespread arboviral infectious disease of public health significance globally. This review explores the communicative function of olfactory cues that mediate host-seeking, egg-laying, plant-feeding, and mating behaviors in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two mosquito vectors that drive dengue virus transmission. Aedes aegypti has adapted to live in close association with humans, preferentially feeding on them and laying eggs in human-fabricated water containers and natural habitats. In contrast, Ae. albopictus is considered opportunistic in its feeding habits and tends to inhabit more vegetative areas. Additionally, the ability of both mosquito species to locate suitable host plants for sugars and find mates for reproduction contributes to their survival. Advances in chemical ecology, functional genomics, and behavioral analyses have improved our understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms and reveal novel and specific olfactory semiochemicals that these species use to locate and discriminate among resources in their environment. Physiological status; learning; and host- and habitat-associated factors, including microbial infection and abundance, shape olfactory responses of these vectors. Some of these semiochemicals can be integrated into the toolbox for dengue surveillance and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baldwyn Torto
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya; ,
| | - David P Tchouassi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya; ,
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7
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Upshur IF, Fehlman M, Parikh V, Vinauger C, Lahondère C. Sugar feeding by invasive mosquito species on ornamental and wild plants. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22121. [PMID: 38092771 PMCID: PMC10719288 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48089-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Feeding on plant-derived sugars is an essential component of mosquito biology, affecting key aspects of their lives such as survival, metabolism, and reproduction. Among mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are two invasive mosquito species in the US, and are vectors of diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika. These species live in heavily populated, urban areas, where they have high accessibility to human hosts as well as to plants in backyards and public landscapes. However, the range of plants that are suitable sugar hosts for these species remains to be described, despite the importance of understanding what plants may attract or repel mosquitoes to inform citizens and municipal authorities accordingly. Here, we tested whether Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus would sugar-feed on eleven commonly planted ornamental plant species. We confirmed feeding activity using the anthrone method and identified the volatile composition of plant headspace using gas-chromatography mass-spectroscopy. These chemical analyses revealed that a broad range of olfactory cues are associated with plants that mosquitoes feed on. This prompted us to use plant DNA barcoding to identify plants that field-caught mosquitoes feed on. Altogether, results show that native and invasive mosquito species can exploit a broader range of plants than originally suspected, including wild and ornamental plants from different phyla throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irving Forde Upshur
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- The Global Change Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Mikhyle Fehlman
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Vansh Parikh
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Clément Vinauger
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- The Fralin Life Science Institute Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Center of Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Chloé Lahondère
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- The Global Change Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- The Fralin Life Science Institute Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- Center of Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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8
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Tchouassi DP, Agha SB, Villinger J, Sang R, Torto B. The distinctive bionomics of Aedes aegypti populations in Africa. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 54:100986. [PMID: 36243315 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses of medical importance. Behavioral and biological attributes contribute to its vectorial capacity. The mosquito domestic form, which resides outside Africa (Ae. aegypti aegypti (Aaa)), is considered to breed in artificial containers in and around homes and preferentially feeds on human blood but commonly indulges in a plant diet. Potential divergence in these attributes, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where Aaa coexists with the forest ecotype (Ae. aegypti formosus), should impact the vectoring ability and hence disease epidemiology. A summary of current knowledge on Ae. aegypti blood feeding, oviposition, and plant-feeding habits among SSA populations is provided in comparison with those in different geographies, globally. Emphasis is placed on improved understanding of the connection between changing subspecies adaptation in these traits and arbovirus disease risk in SSA in response to climate change and increasing urbanization, with the ultimate use of this information for effective disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Tchouassi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Sheila B Agha
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rosemary Sang
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Baldwyn Torto
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
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9
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Muema JM, Bargul JL, Obonyo MA, Njeru SN, Matoke-Muhia D, Mutunga JM. Contemporary exploitation of natural products for arthropod-borne pathogen transmission-blocking interventions. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:298. [PMID: 36002857 PMCID: PMC9404607 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05367-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An integrated approach to innovatively counter the transmission of various arthropod-borne diseases to humans would benefit from strategies that sustainably limit onward passage of infective life cycle stages of pathogens and parasites to the insect vectors and vice versa. Aiming to accelerate the impetus towards a disease-free world amid the challenges posed by climate change, discovery, mindful exploitation and integration of active natural products in design of pathogen transmission-blocking interventions is of high priority. Herein, we provide a review of natural compounds endowed with blockade potential against transmissible forms of human pathogens reported in the last 2 decades from 2000 to 2021. Finally, we propose various translational strategies that can exploit these pathogen transmission-blocking natural products into design of novel and sustainable disease control interventions. In summary, tapping these compounds will potentially aid in integrated combat mission to reduce disease transmission trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson M Muema
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.
| | - Joel L Bargul
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.,International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Meshack A Obonyo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Egerton, 20115, Kenya
| | - Sospeter N Njeru
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research (CTMDR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - Damaris Matoke-Muhia
- Centre for Biotechnology Research Development (CBRD), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - James M Mutunga
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mount Kenya University (MKU), P.O. Box 54, Thika, 01000, Kenya.,School of Engineering Design, Technology and Professional Programs, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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10
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Abbasi I, Akad F, Studentsky L, Avi IB, Orshan L, Warburg A. A next-generation (DNA) sequencing (NGS)-based method for identifying the sources of sugar meals in mosquito vectors of West Nile virus in Israel. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2022; 47:109-116. [PMID: 36629362 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-47.1.109] [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: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes of the genus Culex comprise important vectors of pathogenic arboviruses in our region, including West Nile and Rift Valley Fever viruses. To improve our understanding of the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of arboviruses, we need to study the behavior and ecology of their vectors. The feeding patterns of the vector mosquitoes can be very useful in determining how and where to focus control efforts. For example, determining the preferred blood hosts of the females can assist in the implementation of potentially efficacious strategies for focused control of mosquito females. Determining the plants from which both sexes derive their sugar meals can comprise the initial step towards the formulation of efficient lures for trapping mosquitoes. In the past, plant meal identification was based mainly on chemical detection of fructose and microscopical observations of cellulose particles in mosquito guts. More recent studies have utilized DNA barcoding capable of identifying plant food sources. In the current study, we identify multiple plant species from which large numbers of mosquitoes obtained their sugar meals in one experimental procedure. We employed next generation DNA sequencing to sequence the chloroplast specific plant genes atpB and rbcL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Abbasi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel,
| | - Fouad Akad
- Laboratory of Entomology, Central Laboratories Jerusalem, Ministry of Health, Israel
| | - Liora Studentsky
- Laboratory of Entomology, Central Laboratories Jerusalem, Ministry of Health, Israel
| | - Irina Ben Avi
- Laboratory of Entomology, Central Laboratories Jerusalem, Ministry of Health, Israel
| | - Laor Orshan
- Laboratory of Entomology, Central Laboratories Jerusalem, Ministry of Health, Israel
| | - Alon Warburg
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
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11
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Kinya F, Mutero CM, Sang R, Owino EA, Rotich G, Ogola EO, Wondji CS, Torto B, Tchouassi DP. Outdoor malaria vector species profile in dryland ecosystems of Kenya. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7131. [PMID: 35505087 PMCID: PMC9065082 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11333-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Outdoor biting by anopheline mosquitoes is one of the contributors to residual malaria transmission, but the profile of vectors driving this phenomenon is not well understood. Here, we studied the bionomics and genetically characterized populations of An. gambiae and An. funestus complexes trapped outdoors in three selected dryland areas including Kerio Valley, Nguruman and Rabai in Kenya. We observed a higher abundance of Anopheles funestus group members (n = 639, 90.6%) compared to those of the An. gambiae complex (n = 66, 9.4%) with An. longipalpis C as the dominant vector species with a Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite rate (Pfsp) of 5.2% (19/362). The known malaria vectors including An. funestus s.s. (8.7%, 2/23), An. gambiae (14.3%, 2/14), An. rivulorum (14.1%, 9/64), An. arabiensis (1.9%, 1/52) occurred in low densities and displayed high Pfsp rates, which varied with the site. Additionally, six cryptic species found associated with the An. funestus group harbored Pf sporozoites (cumulative Pfsp rate = 7.2%, 13/181). We detected low frequency of resistant 119F-GSTe2 alleles in An. funestus s.s. (15.6%) and An. longipalpis C (3.1%) in Kerio Valley only. Evidence of outdoor activity, emergence of novel and divergent vectors and detection of mutations conferring metabolic resistance to pyrethroid/DDT could contribute to residual malaria transmission posing a threat to effective malaria control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Kinya
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.,University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-30100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Clifford M Mutero
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.,School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Rosemary Sang
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eunice A Owino
- University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-30100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gilbert Rotich
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edwin O Ogola
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charles S Wondji
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L35QA, UK.,LSTM Research Unit at the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), P.O. Box 1359, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Baldwyn Torto
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - David P Tchouassi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Swan T, Ritmejerytė E, Sebayang B, Jones R, Devine G, Graham M, Zich FA, Staunton KM, Russell TL, Burkot TR. Sugar prevalence in Aedes albopictus differs by habitat, sex and time of day on Masig Island, Torres Strait, Australia. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:520. [PMID: 34625096 PMCID: PMC8501651 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05020-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sugar feeding is a fundamental behaviour of many mosquito species. For Aedes albopictus, an important vector of dengue virus and chikungunya virus, little is known about its sugar-feeding behaviour, and no studies have been conducted on this in the southern hemisphere. This knowledge is pivotal for determining the potential of attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs) to control this important vector. Methods The prevalence of sugar was assessed in 1808 Ae. albopictus from Masig Island, Torres Strait, Australia collected between 13 and 25 March 2020. Fructose presence and content in field-collected Ae. albopictus were quantified using the cold anthrone assay. Results Significantly more male (35.8%) than female (28.4%) Ae. albopictus were sugar fed. There was a significant interaction between sex and time of day on the probability of capturing sugar-fed Ae. albopictus. For both sexes, fructose prevalence and content were higher in mosquitoes caught in the morning than in the afternoon. Female Ae. albopictus collected in the residential habitat were significantly more likely to be sugar fed than those collected in the woodland habitat. Conclusions These findings provide baseline information about the sugar-feeding patterns of Ae. albopictus and provide essential information to enable an assessment of the potential of ATSBs for vector suppression and control on Masig Island, with relevance to other locations where this species occurs. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05020-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Swan
- 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.
| | - E Ritmejerytė
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - B Sebayang
- 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
| | - R Jones
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - G Devine
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - M Graham
- Mosquito Control Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - F A Zich
- Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.,National Research Collections Australia, Commonwealth Industrial and Scientific Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, Australia
| | - K 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
| | - T L Russell
- 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
| | - T R Burkot
- 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
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de Boer JG, Kuiper APS, Groot J, van Loon JJA. Avoidance of the Plant Hormone Cis-Jasmone by Aedes aegypti Depends On Mosquito Age in Both Plant and Human Odor Backgrounds. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:810-818. [PMID: 34463894 PMCID: PMC8473350 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01299-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adults of many mosquito species feed on plants to obtain metabolic energy and to enhance reproduction. Mosquitoes primarily rely on olfaction to locate plants and are known to respond to a range of plant volatiles. We studied the olfactory response of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and cis-jasmone (CiJA), volatile compounds originating from the octadecanoid signaling pathway that plays a key role in plant defense against herbivores. Specifically, we investigated how Ae. aegypti of different ages responded to elevated levels of CiJA in two attractive odor contexts, either derived from Lima bean plants or human skin. Aedes aegypti females landed significantly less often on a surface with CiJA and MeJA compared to the solvent control, CiJA exerting a stronger reduction in landing than MeJA. Odor context (plant or human) had no significant main effect on the olfactory responses of Ae. aegypti females to CiJA. Mosquito age significantly affected the olfactory response, older females (7–9 d) responding more strongly to elevated levels of CiJA than young females (1–3 d) in either odor context. Our results show that avoidance of CiJA by Ae. aegypti is independent of odor background, suggesting that jasmonates are inherently aversive cues to these mosquitoes. We propose that avoidance of plants with elevated levels of jasmonates is adaptive to mosquitoes to reduce the risk of encountering predators that is higher on these plants, i.e. by avoiding ‘enemy-dense-space’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jetske G de Boer
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Aron P S Kuiper
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joeri Groot
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joop J A van Loon
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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