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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.
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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
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Moura L, Corbi JJ. Regionality in vector control: effect of fluctuating temperature in the susceptibility of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae to Pyriproxyfen. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:23. [PMID: 38072863 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08065-1] [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: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Using Pyriproxyfen in controlling Aedes aegypti shows great potential considering its high competence in low dosages. As an endocrine disruptor, temperature can interfere with its efficiency, related to a decrease in larval emergence inhibition in hotter environments. However, previous studies have been performed at constant temperatures in the laboratory, which may not precisely reflect the environmental conditions in the field. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the fluctuating temperatures in Pyriproxyfen efficiency on controlling Aedes aegypti larvae. We selected maximum and minimum temperatures from the Brazilian Meteorological Institute database from September to April for cities grouped by five regions. Five fluctuating temperatures (17-26; 20-28.5; 23-32.5; 23-30.5; 19.5-31 °C) were applied to bioassays assessing Pyriproxyfen efficiency in preventing adult emergence in Aedes aegypti larvae in five concentrations. In the lowest temperatures, the most diluted Pyriproxyfen treatment (0.0025 mg/L) was efficient in preventing the emergence of almost thrice the larvae than in the hottest temperatures (61% and 21%, respectively, p value = 0.00015). The concentration that inhibits the emergence of 50% of the population was lower than that preconized by the World Health Organization (0.01 mg/L) in all treatments, except for the hottest temperatures, for which we estimated 0.010 mg/L. We concluded that fluctuating temperatures in laboratory bioassays can provide a more realistic result to integrate the strategies in vector surveillance. For a country with continental proportions such as Brazil, considering regionalities is crucial to the rational use of insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Moura
- Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Juliano José Corbi
- Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
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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.
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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
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Characterization of Wingbeat Frequency of Different Taxa of Migratory Insects in Northeast Asia. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13060520. [PMID: 35735856 PMCID: PMC9224674 DOI: 10.3390/insects13060520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Wingbeat frequency (WBF), an important variable in the study of flight biology, is very valuable in identifying migratory behavior. Thus, the WBF of migratory insects in Northeast Asia was detected and analyzed to establish the relationship between WBF and insect morphometrics. The results demonstrated that WBF differed across orders and that morphological variables were closely connected to this observed variation. This study may be helpful for increasing our understanding of flight biology and for developing new methods to identify the species of migrating insects. Abstract The ability to migrate is an important biological trait of insects, and wingbeat frequency (WBF) is a key factor influencing migratory behavior. The WBF of insects has been shown to be species-specific in previous studies; however, there is scant information on variations in WBF among different taxa of migratory insects. In 2018 and 2019, we investigated the relationship between WBF and 12 morphological variables (e.g., body mass, body length, total wing area, etc.) of the main migratory insects (77 species in 3 orders and 14 families) over the Bohai Sea in China. The WBF of migratory insects was negatively correlated with the 12 morphological variables and varied significantly among orders. In migratory lepidopterans, neuropterans, and odonatans, the ranges of WBF were 6.71–81.28 Hz, 19.17–30.53 Hz, and 18.35–38.01 Hz, respectively. Regression models between WBF and connecting morphological variables were established for these three orders. Our findings revealed the relationship between WBF and morphometrics of migratory insects in Northeast Asia, increased our knowledge on the flight biology of migratory insects, and provided a basis for developing morphological and WBF-based monitoring techniques to identify migrating insects.
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Davies MS, Hesselberg T. The Use of Tuning Forks for Studying Behavioural Responses in Orb Web Spiders. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040370. [PMID: 35447812 PMCID: PMC9027978 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Spiders are common predators found in almost every type of environment, and are used as model organisms in studies ranging from communication and signalling to biochemical studies on their silk. Orb spiders are particularly interesting, as their web provides a cost-effective way to obtain information on their foraging behaviour. However, studies on short-term behaviours including prey capture and escape behaviours are rare and usually take place in artificial settings, such as laboratories. In this study, we tested a simple methodology using tuning forks that can be used consistently and reliably in the field. The two tuning forks are capable of producing attack (440 Hz) and escape (256 Hz) responses from the spiders. We also used a metal wire as a mechanical stimulus for comparison, which as predicted, was less reliable. We demonstrate the usefulness of the methodology by quantitatively investigating how the size of the spider and the size of its web affect predatory and escape response rates in the autumn spider, although no significant effects of either were found. However, our results confirm the ease by which this simple method can be used to conduct behavioural studies of orb spiders in the wild. Abstract Spiders and their webs are often used as model organisms to study a wide range of behaviours. However, these behavioural studies are often carried out in the laboratory, and the few field studies usually result in large amounts of video footage and subsequent labour-intensive data analysis. Thus, we aimed to devise a cost- and time-effective method for studying the behaviour of spiders in the field, using the now almost forgotten method of stimulating webs with tuning forks. Our study looked at the viability of using 256 Hz and 440 Hz tuning forks to stimulate, anti-predatory and predatory responses in the orb web spider Metellina segmentata, respectively. To assess the consistency of the behaviours produced, we compared these to direct mechanical stimulation with a metal wire. The results suggest that the tuning forks produce relatively consistent behaviours within and between two years in contrast to the metal wire. We furthermore found no significant effects of spider length or web area on spider reaction times. However, we found significant differences in reaction times between escape and prey capture behaviours, and between tuning forks and the wire. Thus, we demonstrated the potential of tuning forks to rapidly generate quantitative data in a field setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie S. Davies
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Headington Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK;
| | - Thomas Hesselberg
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Headington Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK;
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
- Correspondence:
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