Do tigers hunt during the day? Diel activity of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae), in urban and suburban habitats of North America

Background Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) impacts human outdoor activity because of its aggressive biting behavior, and as a major vector of mosquito-borne diseases, it is also of public health importance. Although most mosquito species exhibit crepuscular activity by primarily host seeking at dawn and dusk, Ae. albopictus has been traditionally characterized as a diurnal or day-biting mosquito. With the global expansion and increased involvement of Ae. albopictus in mosquito-borne diseases, it is imperative to elucidate the diel activity of this species, particularly in newly invaded areas. Methodology and principal findings Human sweep netting and carbon dioxide-baited rotator traps were used to evaluate the diel activity of Ae. albopictus in two study sites. Both trapping methods were used in New Jersey’s Mercer County, USA (temperate/urban), while only human sweep netting was used in Florida’s Volusia County, USA (subtropical/suburban). Human sweep netting was performed to determine adult mosquito activity at Sunrise, Solar Noon, Sunset, and Lunar Midnight. Because New Jersey is in a temperate area, diel activity was investigated during the early season (3–19 July), peak season (25 July-19 September), and late season (22 September- 22 October). Aedes albopictus showed the highest activity during peak and late seasons at Solar Noon (P < 0.05). At Sunrise and Sunset during the peak season, Ae. albopictus activity was similar. Lunar Midnight activity was significantly lower than Sunrise and Solar Noon (P < 0.05) but was similar to that of Sunset. In the late season, the highest activity was observed during Solar Noon while the least activity was observed during Sunrise and Lunar Midnight (P<0.05). Bottle rotator traps used in conjunction with the human sweep net technique exhibited similar results. Seasonal activity was not differentiated in Florida due to the consistent subtropical climate. The highest adult activity was observed at Sunrise using human sweep netting, but it was not significantly different from Solar Noon and Sunset. The lowest adult activity was observed at Lunar Midnight; however, it was not significantly different from Solar Noon and Sunset. These results provide evidence that the diel activity of Ae. albopictus, contrary to the common perception of its diurnal activity, is much more varied. Conclusion/Significance Involvement of Ae. albopictus in the transmission of debilitating mosquito-borne pathogens such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika virus, coupled with its affinity to thrive in human peridomestic environments, substantiates that our findings have global implications in areas where Ae. albopictus populations established. It also highlights the importance of behavioral studies of vector species which will not only help mosquito control professionals plan the timing of their control efforts but also provides empirical evidence against conventional wisdoms that may unjustly persist within public health stewards.

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Seasonal Phenological Patterns and Flavivirus Vectorial Capacity of Medically Important Mosquito Species in a Wetland and an Urban Area of Attica, Greece

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease ◽

10.3390/tropicalmed6040176 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 176

Author(s):

Stavroula Beleri ◽

Georgios Balatsos ◽

Vasilios Karras ◽

Nikolaos Tegos ◽

Fani Sereti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

West Nile Virus ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Vectorial Capacity ◽

Adult Mosquito ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

The South ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

West Nile ◽

Usutu Virus

Seasonal patterns of mosquito population density and their vectorial capacity constitute major elements to understand the epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases. Using adult mosquito traps, we compared the population dynamics of major mosquito species (Culex pipiens, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles spp.) in an urban and a wetland rural area of Attica Greece. Pools of the captured Cx. pipiens were analyzed to determine infection rates of the West Nile virus (WNV) and the Usutu virus (USUV). The data provided were collected under the frame of the surveillance program carried out in two regional units (RUs) of the Attica region (East Attica and South Sector of Attica), during the period 2017–2018. The entomological surveillance of adult mosquitoes was performed on a weekly basis using a network of BG-sentinel traps (BGs), baited with CO2 and BG-Lure, in selected, fixed sampling sites. A total of 46,726 adult mosquitoes were collected, with larger variety and number of species in East Attica (n = 37,810), followed by the South Sector of Attica (n = 8916). The collected mosquitoes were morphologically identified to species level and evaluated for their public health importance. Collected Cx. pipiens adults were pooled and tested for West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) presence by implementation of a targeted molecular methodology (real-time PCR). A total of 366 mosquito pools were analyzed for WNV and USUV, respectively, and 38 (10.4%) positive samples were recorded for WNV, while no positive pool was detected for USUV. The majority of positive samples for WNV were detected in the East Attica region, followed by the South Sector of Attica, respectively. The findings of the current study highlight the WNV circulation in the region of Attica and the concomitant risk for the country, rendering mosquito surveillance actions and integrated mosquito management programs as imperative public health interventions.

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Identification and characterisation of mosquitoes from different locations in Qatar in 2017–2019

Parasite ◽

10.1051/parasite/2021079 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. 84

Author(s):

Elmoubasher Abu Baker Abd Farag ◽

Devendra Bansal ◽

Khaled Mardini ◽

Ali A. Sultan ◽

Mohammed Hamad J. Al-Thani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Local Community ◽

Rift Valley Fever Virus ◽

Single Case ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Adult Mosquito ◽

Minimal Risk ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

West Nile Virus Transmission

Mosquito-borne infections have considerable consequences for public health. The mere presence of a single case of vector-borne disease (VBD) introduces a risk to the local community particularly when associated with the compatible vector, host, and suitable environmental factors. Presently, there is no well-established vector control and surveillance programme in Qatar; therefore, the likelihood of VBDs spreading is undetermined. As a result, there is a pressing need to address this gap and enable successful management of VBDs. This study presents the results of three consecutive field surveys conducted between 2017 and 2019 with the aim of defining the types and distribution of mosquitoes that are of public health importance in Qatar. The results of the adult mosquito trappings show that the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus is the most widespread and abundant mosquito species, followed by Cx. perexiguus, both species representing a risk of West Nile virus transmission. All sampling methods show that the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi is widespread including in urbanised areas, suggesting a risk of local malaria transmission. The wetland mosquito Aedes caspius is also widespread, representing a risk of Rift Valley fever virus transmission. The dengue vector Ae. aegypti was not detected and can be considered neither widespread nor abundant, suggesting a minimal risk for local transmission of dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. Interestingly, the study detected Culiseta longiareolata for the first time in Qatar. Regular field studies are needed to further address the knowledge gaps in terms of distribution, ecology, and biting habits of different mosquito species currently present in Qatar to accurately assess the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

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Chikungunya: epidemiology

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.7171.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 82 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Lyle R. Petersen ◽

Ann M. Powers

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Aedes Albopictus ◽

Chikungunya Virus ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Febrile Illness ◽

Current Understanding ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Temperate Climates

Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that causes fever and debilitating joint pains in humans. Joint pains may last months or years. It is vectored primarily by the tropical and sub-tropical mosquito, Aedes aegypti, but is also found to be transmitted by Aedes albopictus, a mosquito species that can also be found in more temperate climates. In recent years, the virus has risen from relative obscurity to become a global public health menace affecting millions of persons throughout the tropical and sub-tropical world and, as such, has also become a frequent cause of travel-associated febrile illness. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the biological and sociological underpinnings of its emergence and its future global outlook.

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Composition, seasonal abundance, and public health importance of mosquito species in the regional unit of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-021-07264-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Christos G. Spanoudis ◽

Christos S. Pappas ◽

Matilda Savopoulou-Soultani ◽

Stefanos S. Andreadis

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Seasonal Abundance ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Northern Greece ◽

Regional Unit

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Generic and subgeneric status of aedine mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae: Aedini) occurring in the Australasian Region

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.887.1.1 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 887 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

JOHN F. REINERT ◽

RALPH E. HARBACH

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Personnel ◽

Mosquito Control ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Generic Level ◽

Taxonomic Changes ◽

Australasian Region

Species of Aedini occurring in the Australasian Region are listed with their current generic-level assignments. The purpose of this list is to enable entomologists, public health personnel, and mosquito control workers to more quickly become familiar with recent formal taxonomic changes within the tribe.

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Integrating Vector and Nuisance Mosquito Control for Severe Weather Response

Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association ◽

10.2987/19-6879.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (2s) ◽

pp. 41-48

Author(s):

Heather M. Ward ◽

Whitney A. Qualls

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Vector Control ◽

Mosquito Control ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Severe Weather ◽

Health Concern ◽

Control Plan ◽

Control Programs ◽

Nuisance Species ◽

Mosquito Management

ABSTRACT Ideally, all mosquito control programs would have public health–driven and nuisance population–focused components in their mosquito control plan. However, due to resource limitations many mosquito control programs focus attention on one specific component of integrated mosquito control, i.e., adulticiding only. Programs run by public health departments with limited resources are frequently heavily focused on vector control, targeting a few mosquito species that are locally medically relevant in human and animal disease cycles. Focusing their mosquito management on these specific vector species can result in inefficiencies after hurricanes and severe flooding events that create a need for nuisance mosquito control. Floodwater nuisance species that emerge are not routinely a public health threat, but hinder operations related to response efforts and can negatively affect the lives of people in areas recovering from these disaster events. Staff, training, equipment, and facilities, when aimed at public health vector control, may not have the experience, knowledge, or tools to effectively respond to postdisaster, floodwater mosquito populations. As such, all mosquito management programs should have plans in place to handle not only known vectors of public health concern in response to mosquito-borne disease, but also to manage floodwater mosquito populations after natural disasters to safeguard public health and facilitate recovery operations. The current paper discusses the severe weather events in South Texas in 2018 and the resulting integrated nuisance floodwater mosquito control guidance developed by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

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Cas9-Mediated Gene-Editing in the Malaria Mosquito Anopheles stephensi by ReMOT Control

G3 Genes|Genome|Genetics ◽

10.1534/g3.120.401133 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 1353-1360 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Vanessa M. Macias ◽

Sage McKeand ◽

Duverney Chaverra-Rodriguez ◽

Grant L. Hughes ◽

Aniko Fazekas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Editing ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Anopheles Stephensi ◽

Mosquito Control ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Adult Mosquito ◽

Malaria Mosquito ◽

Powerful Method ◽

Injection Methods

Innovative tools are essential for advancing malaria control and depend on an understanding of molecular mechanisms governing transmission of malaria parasites by Anopheles mosquitoes. CRISPR/Cas9-based gene disruption is a powerful method to uncover underlying biology of vector-pathogen interactions and can itself form the basis of mosquito control strategies. However, embryo injection methods used to genetically manipulate mosquitoes (especially Anopheles) are difficult and inefficient, particularly for non-specialist laboratories. Here, we adapted the ReMOT Control (Receptor-mediated Ovary Transduction of Cargo) technique to deliver Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complex to adult mosquito ovaries, generating targeted and heritable mutations in the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi without injecting embryos. In Anopheles, ReMOT Control gene editing was as efficient as standard embryo injections. The application of ReMOT Control to Anopheles opens the power of CRISPR/Cas9 methods to malaria laboratories that lack the equipment or expertise to perform embryo injections and establishes the flexibility of ReMOT Control for diverse mosquito species.

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Spinosyns Delivered in Sugar Meals to Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae): Acute Toxicity and Subacute Effects on Survival, Fecundity, and Fertility

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjab220 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Abdullah A Alomar ◽

Barry W Alto ◽

Edward D Walker

Keyword(s):

Acute Toxicity ◽

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Aedes Albopictus ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Mosquito Control ◽

Environmental Safety ◽

Adult Mosquito ◽

Hatch Rate ◽

Median Lethal Concentrations ◽

Males And Females

Abstract Sugar is an essential source of nutrition for adult mosquitoes to acquire energy. Toxic sugar bait (TSB) provides a promising method for mosquito control by incorporating toxins into artificial sources of sugar (i.e., toxic baits) presented to wild populations. Spinosyns comprise a family of bacterial secondary metabolites with a unique mode of action against the insect nervous system, an appealing environmental safety profile, and potential for incorporation into sugar baits. This research evaluated acute and subacute effects of spinosad (spinosyns A and D) and spinetoram (spinosyns J and L) in sugar meals on survival, fecundity, and fertility of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Acute toxicity of spinosyns doubled from 24 to 48 h of assessment, revealing a relatively slow and cumulative action of the formulated spinosyns. Median lethal concentrations at 48 h were lower for spinetoram than for spinosad, lower for Ae. albopictus than Ae. aegypti, and lower for males than females. When exposed to subacute LC50 concentrations of spinosad and spinetoram for 24 h, survival of males and females of both species was diminished compared with controls, fecundity of females was increased, but fertility as measured by hatch rate of eggs was decreased. The formulations may have increased the nutritive value of the sugar meals thereby boosting fecundity, while toxifying embryos, reducing fertility. The inclusion of subacute effects of spinosyns allows assessment of the broader consequences of TSB for adult mosquito control.

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Spatial distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in relation to geo-ecological features in South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485317000645 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 108 (2) ◽

pp. 166-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

A.N. Shriram ◽

A. Sivan ◽

A.P. Sugunan

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Aedes Albopictus ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Ecological Features ◽

Breeding Populations ◽

Sampling Locations ◽

South Andaman ◽

Coconut Shells

AbstractThe study was undertaken in South Andaman district, comprising three tehsils, viz. Port Blair, Ferrargunj and Little Andaman Tehsils, respectively. Intensive pupal infestation surveys were carried out along the National Highway (NH 223), the main passenger and trade route, referred to as Great Andaman Trunk Road. Sampling locations at every 3 km were geo-referenced with global positioning system unit. A total of 17314 water collections were examined from 29 locations across the South Andaman district, among which 1021 (5.9%) were colonized by immature stages of Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti and other mosquito species. Ae. aegypti were found in 12 locations, showing higher infestation in the densely built Aberdeen Bazaar. Breeding populations of Ae. albopictus were observed in 27 sampling locations. Both the species were not recorded in two Northern localities. In the areas where both the species are present, they were often found in the same developmental sites, suggesting convergent habitat selection. The most frequently encountered man-made, artificial and natural developmental sites were fixed cement tanks, plastic drums, plastic cans, metal drums, metal pots, discarded tires, coconut shells, leaf axils and tree holes. Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were observed in varying proportions in Port Blair and Ferrargunj Tehsils, while the former species appeared to be absent in Little Andaman. This study elucidates the spatial distribution of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus with preponderance of the latter species, pointing towards arboviral transmission and assumes public health importance in South Andaman district, endemic for dengue.

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