The effects of host availability and fitness on Aedes albopictus blood feeding patterns in New York

Aedes albopictus is a competent vector of numerous pathogens, representing a range of transmission cycles involving unique hosts. Despite the important status of this vector, variation in its feeding patterns is poorly understood. We examined the feeding patterns of Ae. albopictus utilizing resting collections in Long Island, New York, and contextualized blood meal sources with host availability measured by household interviews and camera traps. We identified 90 blood meals, including 29 human, 22 cat, 16 horse, 12 opossum, 5 dog, 2 goat, and 1 rabbit, rat, squirrel and raccoon. Our study is the first to quantitatively assess Ae. albopictus feeding patterns in the context of host availability of wild animals in addition to humans and domestic animals. Host feeding indices showed that cats and dogs were fed upon disproportionately often compared to humans. Forage ratios suggested a tendency to feed on cats and opossums and to avoid raccoons, squirrels, and birds. This feeding pattern was different from another published study from Baltimore, where Ae. albopictus fed more often on rats than humans. To understand if these differences were due to host availability or mosquito population variation, we compared the fitness of Long Island and Baltimore Ae. albopictus after feeding on rat and human blood. In addition, we examined fitness within the Long Island population after feeding on human, rat, cat, horse, and opossum blood. Together, our results do not show major mosquito fitness differences by blood hosts, suggesting that fitness benefits do not drive Northeastern Ae. albopictus feeding patterns.

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Sugar feeding patterns of New York Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are affected by saturation deficit, flowers, and host seeking

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0008244 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (10) ◽

pp. e0008244

Author(s):

Kara Fikrig ◽

Sonile Peck ◽

Peter Deckerman ◽

Sharon Dang ◽

Kimberly St Fleur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Feeding Behavior ◽

Aedes Albopictus ◽

Blood Feeding ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Feeding Patterns ◽

Saturation Deficit ◽

Sugar Feeding ◽

Host Seeking ◽

The Impact

Background Sugar feeding is an important behavior which may determine vector potential of female mosquitoes. Sugar meals can reduce blood feeding frequency, enhance survival, and decrease fecundity, as well as provide energetic reserves to fuel energy intensive behaviors such as mating and host seeking. Sugar feeding behavior can be harnessed for vector control (e.g. attractive toxic sugar baits). Few studies have addressed sugar feeding of Aedes albopictus, a vector of arboviruses of public health importance, including dengue and Zika viruses. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed sugar feeding patterns of Ae. albopictus for the first time in its invasive northeastern USA range. Methodology/Principal findings Using the cold anthrone fructose assay with robust sample sizes, we demonstrated that a large percentage of both male (49.6%) and female (41.8%) Ae. albopictus fed on plant or homopteran derived sugar sources within 24 hrs prior to capture. Our results suggest that sugar feeding behavior increases when environmental conditions are dry (high saturation deficit) and may vary by behavioral status (host seeking vs. resting). Furthermore, mosquitoes collected on properties with flowers (>3 blooms) had higher fructose concentrations compared to those collected from properties with few to no flowers (0–3). Conclusions/Significance Our results provide the first evidence of Ae. albopictus sugar feeding behavior in the Northeastern US and reveal relatively high rates of sugar feeding. These results suggest the potential success for regional deployment of toxic sugar baits. In addition, we demonstrate the impact of several environmental and mosquito parameters (saturation deficit, presence of flowers, host seeking status, and sex) on sugar feeding. Placing sugar feeding behavior in the context of these environmental and mosquito parameters provides further insight into spatiotemporal dynamics of feeding behavior for Ae. albopictus, and in turn, provides information for evidence-based control decisions.

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Sugar feeding patterns of New York Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are affected by environmental dryness, flowers, and host seeking

10.1101/2020.03.26.009779 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kara Fikrig ◽

Sonile Peck ◽

Peter Deckerman ◽

Sharon Dang ◽

Kimberly St Fleur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Feeding Behavior ◽

Aedes Albopictus ◽

Blood Feeding ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Feeding Patterns ◽

Sugar Feeding ◽

Host Seeking ◽

Potential Success ◽

The Impact

AbstractBackgroundSugar feeding is an important behavior which may determine vector potential of mosquitoes. Sugar meals can reduce blood feeding frequency, enhance survival, and decrease fecundity, as well as provide energetic reserves to fuel energy intensive behaviors such as mating and host seeking. Sugar feeding behavior also can be harnessed for vector control (e.g. attractive toxic sugar baits). Few studies have addressed sugar feeding of Aedes albopictus, a vector of arboviruses of public health importance, including dengue and Zika viruses. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed sugar feeding patterns of Ae. albopictus for the first time in its invasive northeastern USA range.Methodology/ Principal FindingsUsing the cold anthrone fructose assay with robust sample sizes, we demonstrated that a large percentage of both male (49.6%) and female (41.8%) Ae. albopictus fed on plant or homopteran derived sugar sources within 24 hrs of capture. Our results suggest that sugar feeding behavior increases when environmental conditions are dry and may vary by behavioral status (host seeking vs. resting). Furthermore, mosquitoes collected on properties with flowers (>3 blooms) had higher fructose concentrations compared to those collected from properties with few to no flowers (0-3).Conclusions/SignificanceOur results provide the first evidence of Ae. albopictus sugar feeding behavior in the Northeastern US and reveal relatively high rates of sugar feeding. These results suggest the potential success for regional deployment of toxic sugar baits. In addition, we demonstrate the impact of several environmental and mosquito parameters (environmental dryness, presence of flowers, host seeking status, and sex) on sugar feeding. Placing sugar feeding behavior in the context of these environmental and mosquito parameters provides further insight into spatiotemporal dynamics of feeding behavior for Ae. albopictus, and in turn, provides information for evidence-based control decisions.

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Blood feeding patterns of Anopheles freeborni and Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae): effects of habitat and host abundance

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300038736 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 87 (6) ◽

pp. 633-641 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

J. W. Wekesa ◽

B. Yuval ◽

R. K. Washino ◽

A. M. de Vasquez

Keyword(s):

Mosquito Species ◽

Blood Feeding ◽

Feeding Pattern ◽

Host Feeding ◽

Culex Tarsalis ◽

Feeding Patterns ◽

Host Group ◽

Host Availability ◽

Blood Indices ◽

Blood Meals

AbstractThe blood feeding patterns of Anopheles freeborni Aitken and Culex tarsalis Coquillett were studied, and the effects of host availability on these patterns were assessed in four different habitats within a northern California rice agroecosystem. Resting mosquitoes were collected from June to September of 1991 and 1992. The source of mosquito blood meals was identified with the modified precipitin test. Anopheles freeborni exhibited a ‘specialized’ (fixed) blood feeding pattern, predominantly (99% of the time) feeding on mammalian hosts; leporids and bovids were the major hosts, while equines, suids, and other mammals were minor hosts. Culex tarsalis exhibited a more ‘generalized’ (catholic) blood feeding pattern, taking blood meals from both birds and mammals at a ratio of 3:1 with Passeriformes being the most fed upon host group. Human blood indices were under 3% for both mosquito species, and multiple blood meals were estimated at less than 2%. The host feeding patterns for both mosquito species differed among the four (riparian, rice, pasture and mixed) habitats. The host feeding pattern for C. tarsalis reflected the distribution of both mammalian and avian hosts available. On the contrary, the host feeding patterns for A. freeborni reflected the distribution of mammalian but not the available avian hosts. Overall, host availability may be an important determinant of population size of some mosquito taxa (e.g. A. freeborni) than others (e.g. C. tarsalis) in rice culture agroecosystems.

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Geographic Variation in Dominance of Spinosad Resistance in Colorado Potato Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/toaa274 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Coby Klein ◽

Mitchell Baker ◽

Andrei Alyokhin ◽

David Mota-Sanchez

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Long Island ◽

New York State ◽

The United States ◽

Island Population ◽

Potato Beetle ◽

Rate Of Increase ◽

Short Period ◽

Leptinotarsa Decemlineata Say ◽

High Level

Abstract Eastern New York State is frequently the site of Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Say) populations with the highest observed levels of insecticide resistance to a range of active ingredients. The dominance of a resistant phenotype will affect its rate of increase and the potential for management. On organic farms on Long Island, L. decemlineata evolved high levels of resistance to spinosad in a short period of time and that resistance has spread across the eastern part of the Island. Resistance has also emerged in other parts of the country as well. To clarify the level of dominance or recessiveness of spinosad resistance in different parts of the United States and how resistance differs in separate beetle populations, we sampled in 2010 beetle populations from Maine, Michigan, and Long Island. In addition, a highly resistant Long Island population was assessed in 2012. All populations were hybridized with a laboratory-susceptible strain to determine dominance. None of the populations sampled in 2010 were significantly different from additive resistance, but the Long Island population sampled in 2012 was not significantly different from fully recessive. Recessive inheritance of high-level resistance may help manage its increase.

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Host-Feeding Patterns of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) at a Temperate North American Site

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jmedent/30.1.27 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 27-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

H. M. Savage ◽

M. L. Niebylski ◽

G. C. Smith ◽

C. J. Mitchell ◽

G. B. Craig

Keyword(s):

Aedes Albopictus ◽

North American ◽

Host Feeding ◽

Feeding Patterns

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Host-Feeding Patterns of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Relation to Availability of Human and Domestic Animals in Suburban Landscapes of Central North Carolina

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1603/0022-2585(2006)43[543:hpoaad]2.0.co;2 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 543-551 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Stephanie L. Richards ◽

Loganathan Ponnusamy ◽

Thomas R. Unnasch ◽

Hassan K. Hassan ◽

Charles S. Apperson

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Aedes Albopictus ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Host Feeding ◽

Feeding Patterns

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An Updated Review of the Invasive Aedes Albopictus in the Americas; Geographical Distribution, Host Feeding Patterns, Arbovirus Infection, and the Potential for Vertical Transmission of Dengue Virus

10.20944/preprints202107.0339.v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julian E. Garcia-Rejon ◽

Juan-Carlos Navarro ◽

Nohemi Cigarroa-Toledo ◽

Carlos M. Baak-Baak

Keyword(s):

Dengue Virus ◽

Vertical Transmission ◽

Natural Infection ◽

Horizontal Transmission ◽

Blood Feeding ◽

The United States ◽

Host Feeding ◽

Feeding Patterns ◽

Cache Valley Virus ◽

Dengue Disease

Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus is a mosquito native to Southeast Asia. Currently, it has a wide distribution in America where natural infection with arboviruses of medical and veterinary importance has been reported. In spite of their importance in the transmission of endemic arbovirus, basic information of parameters affecting their vectorial capacity is poorly investigated. The aim of the work was to update the distribution range of Ae. albopictus in the Americas, review the blood-feeding patterns and compare the minimum infection rate (MIR) of the dengue virus (DENV) between studies of vertical and horizontal transmission. The current distribution of Ae. albopictus encompasses 21 countries in the Americas. Extensive review has been conducted for the blood-feeding patterns of Ae. albopictus. The results suggest that the mosquito is capable of feeding on 16 species of mammals and five species of avian. Humans, dogs, and rats are the most common host. Eight arboviruses with the potential to infect humans and animals have been isolated in Ae. albopictus. In the United States of America (USA), Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Keystone virus, La Crosse Virus, West Nile virus, and Cache Valley virus were isolated in the Asian mosquito. In Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica, DENV (all serotypes) has been frequently identified in field-caught Ae. albopictus. Overall, the estimated MIR in Ae. albopictus infected with DENV is similar between horizontal (10.95) and vertical transmission (8.28). However, in vertical transmission, there is a difference in the MIR values if the DENV is identified from larvae or adults (males and females emerged from a collection of eggs or larvae). MIR estimated from larvae is 14.04 and in adults is 4.04. In conclusion, it has to be highlighted that Ae. albopictus is an invasive mosquito with wide phenotypic plasticity to adapt to broad and new areas, it is highly efficient to transmit the DENV horizontally and vertically, it can participate in the inter-endemic transmission of the dengue disease, and it can spread zoonotic arboviruses across forest and urban settings.

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A Literature Review of Host Feeding Patterns of Invasive Aedes Mosquitoes in Europe

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects11120848 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 848

Author(s):

Sonia Cebrián-Camisón ◽

Josué Martínez-de la Puente ◽

Jordi Figuerola

Keyword(s):

Vector Competence ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Blood Feeding ◽

Vectorial Capacity ◽

Future Research ◽

Host Feeding ◽

Limited Information ◽

Feeding Rates ◽

Feeding Patterns ◽

Distribution Ranges

Aedes invasive mosquitoes (AIMs) play a key role as vectors of several pathogens of public health relevance. Four species have been established in Europe, including Aedes aegypti, Aedesalbopictus, Aedes japonicus and Aedes koreicus. In addition, Aedes atropalpus has been repeatedly recorded although it has not yet been established. In spite of their importance in the transmission of endemic (e.g., heartworms) and imported pathogens (e.g., dengue virus), basic information of parameters affecting their vectorial capacity is poorly investigated. The aim of this study is to review the blood feeding patterns of these invasive mosquito species in Europe, summarizing available information from their native and introduced distribution ranges. The feeding patterns of mosquitoes constitute a key parameter affecting the contact rates between infected and susceptible hosts, thus playing a central role in the epidemiology of mosquito-borne pathogens. Our results highlight that these mosquito species feed on the blood of different vertebrate groups from ectotherms to birds and mammals. However, humans represent the most important source of blood for these species, accounting for 36% and 93% of hosts identified for Ae. japonicus and Ae. aegypti, respectively. In spite of that, limited information has been obtained for some particular species, such as Ae. koreicus, or it is restricted to a few particular areas. Given the high vector competence of the four AIM species for the transmission of different emerging arboviruses such as dengue, Chikungunya, Zika or Yellow fever viruses and their high feeding rates on humans, these AIM species may have an important impact on the vectorial capacity for such pathogens on urban and periurban areas. Finally, we propose directions for future research lines based on identified knowledge gaps.

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