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Sobhy IS, Berry C. Chemical ecology of nectar-mosquito interactions: recent advances and future directions. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 63:101199. [PMID: 38588943 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Mosquitoes, males and females, rely on sugar-rich resources, including floral nectar as a primary source of sugar to meet their energy and nutritional needs. Despite advancements in understanding mosquito host-seeking and blood-feeding preferences, significant gaps in our knowledge of the chemical ecology mediating mosquito-nectar associations remain. The influence of such association with nectar on mosquito behavior and the resulting effects on their fitness are also not totally understood. It is significant that floral nectar frequently acts as a natural habitat for various microbes (e.g. bacteria and yeast), which substantially alter nectar characteristics, influencing the nutritional ecology of flower-visiting insects, such as mosquitoes. The role of nectar-inhabiting microbes in shaping the nectar-mosquito interactions remains, however, under-researched. This review explores recent advances in understanding the role of such multitrophic interactions on the fitness and life history traits of mosquitoes and outlines future directions for research toward their control as disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Islam S Sobhy
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.
| | - Colin Berry
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
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Pullmann-Lindsley H, Huff RM, Boyi J, Pitts RJ. Odorant receptors for floral- and plant-derived volatiles in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302496. [PMID: 38709760 PMCID: PMC11073699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Adult mosquitoes require regular sugar meals, including nectar, to survive in natural habitats. Both males and females locate potential sugar sources using sensory proteins called odorant receptors (ORs) activated by plant volatiles to orient toward flowers or honeydew. The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762), possesses a large gene family of ORs, many of which are likely to detect floral odors. In this study, we have uncovered ligand-receptor pairings for a suite of Aedes aegypti ORs using a panel of environmentally relevant, plant-derived volatile chemicals and a heterologous expression system. Our results support the hypothesis that these odors mediate sensory responses to floral odors in the mosquito's central nervous system, thereby influencing appetitive or aversive behaviors. Further, these ORs are well conserved in other mosquitoes, suggesting they function similarly in diverse species. This information can be used to assess mosquito foraging behavior and develop novel control strategies, especially those that incorporate mosquito bait-and-kill technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Mark Huff
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States of America
| | - John Boyi
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States of America
| | - Ronald Jason Pitts
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States of America
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Leyva B, Brustolin M, Müller R, Yon F. Unveil the sugar diet and associated environmental compounds in the crop of the mosquito Culex pipiens. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26565. [PMID: 38439850 PMCID: PMC10909667 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26565] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Culex pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758) mosquitoes search plant sources of sugars to cope with the energetic demand of various physiological processes. The crop as part of the digestive system is devoted to the storage of sugar-based meal obtained from various nectars sources. The profiling of sugars and metabolites in the Culex pipiens' crop is scarce, and only few studies used Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), which provides broad detection for biomonitoring environmental substances and even contaminants in the sugar diet of mosquitoes populations. Therefore, sugar and metabolite profiling were performed on crops obtained from mosquitoes exposed to plant nectar under laboratory or natural conditions by Ultra High-Performance LC-MS (UHPLC-MS). This method allowed us a precise quantitative and qualitative identification of sugar diet and associated environmental compounds in the crop of the mosquito C. pipiens. Under laboratory condition, mosquitoes were allowed to feed on either glucose solution, commercially-available flowers or field collected flowers. In addition, we collected mosquitoes from the field to compare those crop metabolomes with metabolome patterns occurring after nectar feeding in the lab. The sugar quantities and quality obtained from the crops of mosquitoes collected in the field were similar to those crops obtained from mosquitoes that fed on commercially-available flowers and from field collected flowers with a limit of detection of 10 μg/L for sucrose, glucose and sucrose. Next to sugar compounds, we identified 2 types of amino acids, 12 natural products, and 9 pesticides. Next to the diversity of sugar compounds, we could confirm that secondary metabolites and environmental pollutants are typically up taken from floral nectar sources by C. pipiens. The in-depth knowledge on mosquito-plant interactions may inspire the development and further optimization of mosquito trap systems and arboviral surveillance systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balvina Leyva
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander Von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Marco Brustolin
- Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ruth Müller
- Unit of Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Unit Environmental Toxicology & Medical Entomology, Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Felipe Yon
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander Von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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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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Pullmann-Lindsley H, Huff R, Boyi J, Pitts RJ. Odorant receptors for floral- and plant-derived volatiles in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.17.562234. [PMID: 38328195 PMCID: PMC10849520 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.17.562234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Adult mosquitoes require regular sugar meals, usually floral nectar, to survive and flourish in natural habitats. Both males and females locate potential sugar sources using sensory proteins called odorant receptors activated by plant volatiles that facilitate orientation toward flowers or honeydew. The Yellow Fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762), possesses a large repertoire of odorant receptors, many of which are likely to support floral odor detection and nectar-seeking. In this study, we have employed a heterologous expression system and the two-electrode voltage clamping technique to identify environmentally relevant chemical compounds that activate specific odorant receptors. Importantly, we have uncovered ligand-receptor pairings for a suite of Aedes aegypti odorant receptors likely to mediate appetitive or aversive behavioral responses, thus shaping a critical aspect of the life history of a medically important mosquito. Moreover, the high degree of conservation of these receptors in other disease-transmitting species suggests common mechanisms of floral odor detection. This knowledge can be used to further investigate mosquito foraging behavior to either enhance existing, or develop novel, control strategies, especially those that incorporate mosquito bait-and-kill or attractive toxic sugar bait technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Huff
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, 101 Bagby Avenue, Waco, TX 76706
| | - John Boyi
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, 101 Bagby Avenue, Waco, TX 76706
| | - R Jason Pitts
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, 101 Bagby Avenue, Waco, TX 76706
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Lu HC, Lin FY, Huang YH, Kao YT, Loh EW. Role of air pollutants in dengue fever incidence: evidence from two southern cities in Taiwan. Pathog Glob Health 2023; 117:596-604. [PMID: 36262027 PMCID: PMC10617642 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2022.2135711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Air pollution may be involved in spreading dengue fever (DF) besides rainfalls and warmer temperatures. While particulate matter (PM), especially those with diameter of 10 μm (PM10) or 2.5 μm or less (PM25), and NO2 increase the risk of coronavirus 2 infection, their roles in triggering DF remain unclear. We explored if air pollution factors predict DF incidence in addition to the classic climate factors. Public databases and DF records of two southern cities in Taiwan were used in regression analyses. Month order, PM10 minimum, PM2.5 minimum, and precipitation days were retained in the enter mode model, and SO2 minimum, O3 maximum, and CO minimum were retained in the stepwise forward mode model in addition to month order, PM10 minimum, PM2.5 minimum, and precipitation days. While PM2.5 minimum showed a negative contribution to the monthly DF incidence, other variables showed the opposite effects. The sustain of month order, PM10 minimum, PM2.5 minimum, and precipitation days in both regression models confirms the role of classic climate factors and illustrates a potential biological role of the air pollutants in the life cycle of mosquito vectors and dengue virus and possibly human immune status. Future DF prevention should concern the contribution of air pollution besides the classic climate factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Chun Lu
- Department of Management Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Yu Lin
- Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Huei Huang
- Department of Information Management, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tung Kao
- Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - El-Wui Loh
- Center for Evidence-Based Health Care, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Cochrane Taiwan, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Imaging, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Tapei, Taiwan
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Abstract
Mosquitoes are emerging as model systems with which to study innate behaviours through neuroethology and functional genomics. Decades of work on these disease vectors have provided a solid behavioural framework describing the distinct repertoire of predominantly odour-mediated behaviours of female mosquitoes, and their dependence on life stage (intrinsic factors) and environmental cues (extrinsic factors). The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of how intrinsic factors, including adult maturation, age, nutritional status, and infection, affect the attraction to plants and feeding on plant fluids, host seeking, blood feeding, supplemental feeding behaviours, pre-oviposition behaviour, and oviposition in female mosquitoes. With the technological advancements in the recent two decades, we have gained a better understanding of which volatile organic compounds are used by mosquitoes to recognise and discriminate among various fitness-enhancing resources, and characterised their neural and molecular correlates. In this review, we present the state of the art of the peripheral olfactory system as described by the neural physiology, functional genomics, and genetics underlying the demonstrated changes in the behavioural repertoire in female mosquitoes. The review is meant as a summary introduction to the current conceptual thinking in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon R Hill
- Disease Vector Group, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Växtskyddsvägen 3, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Rickard Ignell
- Disease Vector Group, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Växtskyddsvägen 3, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden.
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