scholarly journals Quantifying flight aptitude variation in wild An. gambiae s.l. in order to identify long-distance migrants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Faiman ◽  
Alpha Seydou YARO ◽  
Moussa Diallo ◽  
Adama Dao ◽  
Djibril Samake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flight Activity ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Wing Size ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Flight Duration ◽  
Tethered Flight ◽  
Gravid Females ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background In the West African Sahel, mosquito reproduction is halted during the 5-7 month-long dry season, due to the absence of surface waters required for larval development. However, recent studies have suggested that both Anopheles gambiae s.s and An. arabiensis repopulate this region via migration from distant locations where larval sites are perennial. An. coluzzii engages in more regional migration, presumably within the Sahel, following shifting resources correlating with the ever-changing patterns of Sahelian rainfall. Understanding mosquito migration is key to controlling malaria—a disease that continues to claim more than 400,000 lives annually, especially those of African children. Using tethered flight data of wild mosquitoes, we evaluated the distribution of flight parameters as indicators of long-range migrants vs. appetitive flyers, compared species specific seasonal differences and gonotrophic states on flight activity. We also evaluated morphometrical differences in the wings of mosquitoes exhibiting high flight activity (HFA) vs. low flight activity (LFA). Methods We used a novel tethered-flight assay to characterize flight in the three primary malaria vectors- An. arabiensis, An. coluzzii and An. gambiae s.s. The flights of tethered wild mosquitoes were audio-recorded from 21:00h to 05:00h in the following morning and three flight aptitude indices were examined: total flight duration, longest flight bout, and the number of flight bouts during the assay. Results The distributions of all flight indices were strongly skewed to the right, indicating that the population consisted of a majority of low-flight activity (LFA) mosquitoes and a minority of high-flight activity (HFA) mosquitoes. The median total flight was 586 seconds and the maximum value was 16,110 seconds (~4.5 h). In accordance with recent results, flight aptitude peaked in the wet season, and was higher in gravid females than in non-bloodfed females. Flight aptitude was also found to be higher in An. coluzzii compared to An. arabiensis, with intermediate values in An. gambiae s.s., but displaying no statistical difference. Evaluating differences in wing size and shape between LFA individuals and HFA ones, the wing size of HFA An. coluzzii was larger than that of LFAs during the wet season—its length was wider than predicted by allometry alone, indicating a change in wing shape. No statistically significant differences were found in the wing size/shape of An. gambiae s.s. or An. arabiensis. Conclusions The partial agreement between the tethered flight results and recent results based on aerial sampling of these species suggest a degree of discrimination between appetitive flyers and long-distance migrants although identifying HFAs as long-distance migrants is not recommended without further investigation.

scholarly journals Quantifying flight aptitude variation in wild A. gambiae s.l. in order to identify long-distance migrants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Faiman ◽  
Alpha Seydou YARO ◽  
Moussa Diallo ◽  
Adama Dao ◽  
Djibril Samake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Flight Activity ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Wing Size ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Flight Duration ◽  
Tethered Flight ◽  
Gravid Females

Abstract Background In the West African Sahel, mosquito reproduction is halted during the 5-7 month-long dry season, due to the absence of surface waters required for larval development. However, recent studies have suggested that both Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) and Anopheles arabiensis repopulate this region via migration from distant locations where larval sites are perennial. Anopheles coluzzii engages in more regional migration, presumably within the Sahel, following shifting resources correlating with the ever-changing patterns of Sahelian rainfall. Understanding mosquito migration is key to controlling malaria—a disease that continues to claim more than 400,000 lives annually, especially those of African children. Using tethered flight data of wild mosquitoes, the distribution of flight parameters were evaluated as indicators of long-range migrants versus appetitive flyers, and the species specific seasonal differences and gonotrophic states compared between two flight activity modalities. Morphometrical differences were evaluated in the wings of mosquitoes exhibiting high flight activity (HFA) vs. low flight activity (LFA).Methods A novel tethered-flight assay was used to characterize flight in the three primary malaria vectors- An. arabiensis, An. coluzzii and An. gambiae s.s. The flights of tethered wild mosquitoes were audio-recorded from 21:00h to 05:00h in the following morning and three flight aptitude indices were examined: total flight duration, longest flight bout, and the number of flight bouts during the assay.Results The distributions of all flight indices were strongly skewed to the right, indicating that the population consisted of a majority of low-flight activity (LFA) mosquitoes and a minority of high-flight activity (HFA) mosquitoes. The median total flight was 586 seconds and the maximum value was 16,110 seconds (~4.5 h). In accordance with recent results, flight aptitude peaked in the wet season, and was higher in gravid females than in non-blood-fed females. Flight aptitude was also found to be higher in An. coluzzii compared to An. arabiensis, with intermediate values in An. gambiae s.s., but displaying no statistical difference. Evaluating differences in wing size and shape between LFA individuals and HFA ones, the wing size of HFA An. coluzzii was larger than that of LFAs during the wet season—its length was wider than predicted by allometry alone, indicating a change in wing shape. No statistically significant differences were found in the wing size/shape of An. gambiae s.s. or An. arabiensis.Conclusions The partial agreement between the tethered flight results and recent results based on aerial sampling of these species suggest a degree of discrimination between appetitive flyers and long-distance migrants although identifying HFAs as long-distance migrants is not recommended without further investigation.

scholarly journals Quantifying flight aptitude variation in wild A. gambiae s.l. in order to identify long-distance migrants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Faiman ◽  
Alpha S. Yaro ◽  
Moussa Diallo ◽  
Adama Dao ◽  
Samake Djibril ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shape Change ◽  
Flight Activity ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Wing Size ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Flight Duration ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Gravid Females ◽  
The Right

AbstractBackgroundIn the West African Sahel, during the 5-7 month-long dry season mosquito reproduction is halted due to the absence of surface waters required for larval development. Recent studies have suggested that both Anopheles gambiae s.s and A. arabiensis persist in this region by migration from distant locations where larval sites are perennial, and A. coluzzii engages in long-distance migration, presumably within the Sahel, following shifting resources due to the ever-changing patterns of Sahelian rainfall. Understanding mosquito migration is key to malaria control, a disease that still kills >400,000 people, mostly children in Africa.MethodsWe used a new tethered-flight assay to characterize flight in the three primary malaria vectors mentioned above and evaluated seasonal differences in their flight activity. The flight of tethered wild mosquitoes was audio-recorded from 21:00h to 05:00h in the following morning and three flight aptitude indices were examined: total flight duration, longest flight bout, and the number of flight bouts during the assay. Based on recent studies, we predicted that (i) the distribution of the flight aptitude indices would exhibit bi-modality and/or marked skewness, indicating a subpopulation of high flight activity (HFA) associated with long-distance migrants, in contrast to low flight activity (LFA) in appetitive flyers. Additionally, flight aptitude would (ii) increase in the wet season, (iii) increase in gravid females, and (iv) vary among the vector species.ResultsThe distributions of all flight indices departed sharply from a normal curve, and were strongly skewed to the right, consistent with the division of the population into a majority of LFAs and a minority of HFAs, e.g., the median total flight was 586 seconds, and its maximum value was 16,110 seconds (~4.5 h). As predicted, flight aptitude peaked in the wet season and was higher in gravid females than in non-bloodfed females. Flight aptitude was higher in A. coluzzii than in A. arabiensis, but A. gambiae s.s. was not statistically different from either. We evaluated differences in wing size and shape between LFAs and HFAs. During the wet season, wing size of HFA A. coluzzii was larger than that of LFAs; it was wider than predicted by its length, indicating a shape change. However, no statistically significant differences were found in wings of A. gambiae s.s. or A. arabiensis.ConclusionsThe partial agreement between the assay results and predictions suggest a degree of discrimination between appetitive flyers and long-distance migrants. Wing size and shape seems to indicate higher flight activity in A. coluzzii during the wet season.

scholarly journals Quantifying flight aptitude variation in wild A. gambiae s.l. in order to identify long-distance migrants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Faiman ◽  
Alpha Seydou YARO ◽  
Moussa Diallo ◽  
Adama Dao ◽  
Djibril Samake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shape Change ◽  
Flight Activity ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Wing Size ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae S.S ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Flight Duration ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Gravid Females

Abstract Background In the West African Sahel, during the 5-7 month-long dry season mosquito reproduction is halted due to the absence of surface waters required for larval development. Recent studies have suggested that both Anopheles gambiae s.s and A. arabiensis persist in this region by migration from distant locations where larval sites are perennial, and A. coluzzii engages in long-distance migration, presumably within the Sahel, following shifting resources due to the ever-changing patterns of Sahelian rainfall. Understanding mosquito migration is key to malaria control, a disease that still kills >400,000 people, mostly children in Africa. Methods We used a new tethered-flight assay to characterize flight in the three primary malaria vectors mentioned above and evaluated seasonal differences in their flight activity. The flight of tethered wild mosquitoes was audio-recorded from 21:00h to 05:00h in the following morning and three flight aptitude indices were examined: total flight duration, longest flight bout, and the number of flight bouts during the assay. Based on recent studies, we predicted that (i) the distribution of the flight aptitude indices would exhibit bi-modality and/or marked skewness, indicating a subpopulation of high flight activity (HFA) associated with long-distance migrants, in contrast to low flight activity (LFA) in appetitive flyers. Additionally, flight aptitude would (ii) increase in the wet season, (iii) increase in gravid females, and (iv) vary among the vector species. ResultsThe distributions of all flight indices departed sharply from a normal curve, and were strongly skewed to the right, consistent with the division of the population into a majority of LFAs and a minority of HFAs, e.g., the median total flight was 586 seconds, and its maximum value was 16,110 seconds (~4.5 h). As predicted, flight aptitude peaked in the wet season and was higher in gravid females than in non-bloodfed females. Flight aptitude was higher in A. coluzzii than in A. arabiensis, but A. gambiae s.s. was not statistically different from either. We evaluated differences in wing size and shape between LFAs and HFAs. During the wet season, wing size of HFA A. coluzzii was larger than that of LFAs; it was wider than predicted by its length, indicating a shape change. However, no statistically significant differences were found in wings of A. gambiae s.s. or A. arabiensis. ConclusionsThe partial agreement between the assay results and predictions suggest a degree of discrimination between appetitive flyers and long-distance migrants. Wing size and shape seems to indicate higher flight activity in A. coluzzii during the wet season.

Some Factors Affecting Flight Activity in Individual Milkweed Bugs (Oncopeltus)

1966 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-343
Author(s):  
HUGH DINGLE
Keyword(s):  
Total Duration ◽  
Flight Activity ◽  
Peak Activity ◽  
Growth Rings ◽  
Peak Period ◽  
Flight Duration ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Continuous Contact ◽  
Tethered Flight ◽  
Opposite Sex

1. Individual adults of Oncopeltus were tested repeatedly at 2- or 3-day intervals, using tethered flight, to determine the amount of flight activity as measured by flight duration. 2. The peak period of activity occurred 8 days after the final moult with later flights scattered and showing no concentration at a particular age. Deposition of cuticular growth rings ceased at about 7 days; the peak activity was thus post-teneral and probably represents migration. 3. Only 23.8% of bugs tested showed flights of over 30 min. Those bugs which flew for long periods at 8 days were more likely to show long flights at a later age than were bugs which did not fly at day 8. There thus seems to be a behavioural polymorphism with distinct ‘flyers’ and ‘non-flyers’. 4. More females, 30.7%, than males, 18.1%, exhibited flights of over 30 minutes. Males which did have such long flights were, however, more likely than females to have them repeatedly. 5. In both sexes virgins seemed to be more active in respect of long flights than bugs allowed continuous contact with the opposite sex. 6. Calculations based on estimates of flight speed and total duration of flight indicate that an individual migrant Oncopeltus is capable of covering a considerable distance, 100 kilometres or more, during its lifetime.

Flight performance of Macdunnoughia crassisigna (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (6) ◽  
pp. 715-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.-W. Fu ◽  
H. Chang ◽  
L.-M. He ◽  
S.-Y. Zhao ◽  
K.-M. Wu
Keyword(s):  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Flight Activity ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Flight Performance ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Flight Duration ◽  
Flight Mills ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Flight Parameters ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

AbstractMacdunnoughia crassisigna Warren (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a highly destructive herbivore that poses a serious risk to cotton, maize, soybean, and cruciferous vegetables in East Asia. Examining the effects of various biotic and abiotic factors on the flight performance of M. crassisigna is crucial for a better understanding of its trans-regional migration. In this study, the flight activity of M. crassisignai moths of different ages, under different temperatures and relative humidity (RH) levels, was evaluated by tethering individuals to computerized flight mills for a 24-h trial period. The results showed that M. crassisignai had the capacity for sustained flight and the flight ability was strongest in 3-day-old individuals, and then their flight performance decreased significantly in older moths. For both sexes, temperature had a significant effect on their flight performance, and the flight activity was relatively higher at 24–28°C than other temperatures. There was a significant effect of RH on all flight parameters of the tested moths, and the flight activity was relatively higher at RH of 60–75% than other RH levels. For 3-day-old moths under the optimum conditions (24°C and 75% RH) throughout the 24 h scotophase, their mean flight distance reached 66 km, and the mean flight duration reached 13.5 h, suggesting M. crassisigna possess strong potential to undertake long-distance migration. These findings will be helpful for developing sound forecasting systems of this pest species.

scholarly journals Juvenile hormone regulation on the flight capability of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Chen ◽  
Min Chen ◽  
Hui Ye ◽  
Ruiling Yuan ◽  
Chunhua Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Hormone ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Flight Activity ◽  
Bactrocera Dorsalis ◽  
Hormone Regulation ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Physiological Basis ◽  
Flight Duration ◽  
Flight Mills ◽  
Old Adult

AbstractThe oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is considered a major economic threat in many regions worldwide. In order to better understand the flight capacity of B. dorsalis and its physiological basis, the functions and regulatory roles of juvenile hormone (JH) in the flight muscle of B. dorsalis were studied under a controlled environment. JH titer of B. dorsalis varied with age and sex. Females, irrespective of age, have higher JH than males for ovarian development and maturation in addition to better flight capabilities. The flight duration and distance of both males and females increased with the gradual increase of JH titer after adult emergences. JH titer peaked in 15-d-old adult and declined subsequently with age. Flight activity stimulated the production of JH as adults flown for 24 hours on the flight mills have the highest JH titers compare to adults tethered on shorter flight durations. Furthermore, JH III-treated adults were able to perform long-duration and long-distance flights. The mutual reinforcement of JH and flight activity provides fundamental understanding on the physiological aspects of the flight capability and dispersal, which facilitates strategies for the long-term control of this destructive pest.

scholarly journals High Temperatures Decrease the Flight Capacity of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 394
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Antolinez ◽  
Tobias Moyneur ◽  
Xavier Martini ◽  
Monique J. Rivera
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
High Temperatures ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
The United States ◽  
Diaphorina Citri ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Flight Duration ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Flight Capacity ◽  
Low Humidity

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), commonly known as Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), is an invasive insect pest and the vector of the bacterium causing Huanglongbing (HLB), a lethal disease of citrus. In the United States, ACP has been established in all citrus-producing zones, all of which have different environmental conditions. The spread of ACP and, more importantly, HLB, has progressed differently depending on the state, with more rapid spread in Florida and Texas than in California. Climatic variations between the regions are likely a strong factor in the difference in the rate of spread. Despite this, it is unknown how the flight capacity of D. citri is influenced by high temperatures (>30 °C) and subsequently, low humidity experienced in California but not in Texas or Florida. In this study, by using a custom-made, temperature-controlled flight mill arena, we assessed the effect of high temperatures on the flight capacity and flight propensity of D. citri under low (20–40%) and high (76–90%) relative humidity conditions. We found that temperature and humidity influence the propensity to engage in short or long-distance flight events. Psyllids exposed to temperatures above 43 °C only performed short flights (˂60 s), and a high relative humidity significantly decrease the proportion of long flights (≥60 s) at 26 and 40 °C. The flight capacity for insects who engaged in short and long flights was significantly affected by temperature but not by humidity. For long flyers, temperature (in the 26–43 °C range) was negatively correlated with distance flown and flight duration. The most favorable temperature for long dispersion was 26 °C, with suboptimal temperatures in the range of 32–37 °C and the least favorable temperatures at 40 and 43 °C. In conclusion, D. citri is able to fly in a broad range of temperatures and efficiently fly in high and low humidity. However, temperatures above 40 °C, similar to those experienced in semi-arid environments like Southern California or Arizona, are detrimental for its flight capacity.

Thinking honeyeater: nectar maps for the Northern Territory, Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Z. Woinarski ◽  
Greg Connors ◽  
Don C. Franklin
Keyword(s):  
Northern Territory ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Nectar Production ◽  
The World ◽  
Eucalypt Forests ◽  
The Times ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Nectar Availability

We create monthly maps of nectar availability for the 1.4 x 106 km2 jurisdiction of the Northern Territory, Australia. These are based on a combination of vegetation mapping and a series of indices of plant species specific nectar scoring. The maps reveal complex spatial and temporal variation in nectar availability, but most notably a greater nectar resource in the monsoon-influenced north than in the arid south, and a peak in nectar availability in the dry season. The latter is associated with the extensive tropical eucalypt forests (especially those co-dominated by Eucalyptus miniata and E. tetrodonta). In contrast, wet season nectar availability in these forests is limited, but riparian and swampland forests, typically dominated by Melaleuca species, provide rich but spatially restricted nectar resources. The extensive and rich nectar resources available in eucalypt forests in the dry season supplement the diets of many species which are not primarily nectarivorous. This resource helps shape the singularity of northern Australian eucalypt forests relative to other extensive forests elsewhere in the world. Nectarivores remain in the system through a combination of movements across a number of scales, habitat shifting, and diet shifting. The latter is aided by the peaking of invertebrate and fruit resources at the times of minimum nectar production; a shuffling in resource availability brought about by the extreme climatic seasonality.

Analysis of the energy harvesting potential–based suspension for truck semi-trailer

2018 ◽  
Vol 233 (11) ◽  
pp. 2955-2969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed AA Abdelkareem ◽  
Mina MS Kaldas ◽  
Mohamed Kamal Ahmed Ali ◽  
Lin Xu
Keyword(s):  
Ride Comfort ◽  
Simulation Analysis ◽  
Conflict Analysis ◽  
Driving Safety ◽  
Dissipated Energy ◽  
Ride Quality ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Class C ◽  
The Right

As the articulated trucks are mainly used for long distance transportations, the design of the suspension system became a major concern and a research hotspot not only for ride comfort and driving safety but also for energy consumption. Therefore, the objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive parametrical–based conflict analysis between the ride comfort and road holding together with the potential power of the shock absorbers. The simulation analysis is performed using a 23 degree-of-freedom full truck semi-trailer mathematical model with random road surface model. The bounce and combined excitation modes for the truck model are applied to present the pro and contra of the simplified and realistic analysis. The bounce mode is applied for a road Class C and truck driving speed of 20 m/s, while the combined mode is performed with the same truck-speed but considering a Class C road for the left track and Class D road for the right track considering the time delay between the truck axles. The truck dynamics including the mean potential power, average dynamic tire load and bounce, and pitch and roll accelerations is comprehensively combined in the conflict analysis–based suspension and driving parameters. The obtained simulation results showed that the articulated truck suspension should be designed considering a realistic excitation condition. In contrast to the bounce mode, under the combined road input, the tractor ride quality and road handling performances are improved when a heavily damped suspension is considered. Furthermore, the otherwise dissipated energy through the damping events can reach an overall value between 2 and 4 kW.

scholarly journals Seasonal Patterns of Fat Deposits in Relation to Migratory Strategy in Facultative Migrants

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie M. Cornelius ◽  
Thomas P. Hahn ◽  
Ashley R. Robart ◽  
Ben J. Vernasco ◽  
Dorothy L. Zahor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wing Loading ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Flight Duration ◽  
House Finches ◽  
Fat Deposits ◽  
Migratory Season ◽  
Partial Migrant ◽  
Migration Strategies ◽  
Migratory Strategy ◽  
Red Crossbills

Physiological preparations for migration generally reflect migratory strategy. Migrant birds fuel long-distance flight primarily with lipids, but carrying excess fuel is costly; thus, the amount of fat deposited prior to departure often reflects the anticipated flight duration or distance between refueling bouts. Seasonal pre-migratory deposition of fat is well documented in regular seasonal migrants, but is less described for more facultative species. We analyze fat deposits of free-living birds across several taxa of facultative migrants in the songbird subfamily Carduelinae, including house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus), American goldfinches (Spinus tristis), pine siskins (Spinus pinus) and four different North American ecotypes of red crossbills (Loxia curvirostra), to evaluate seasonal fat deposition during facultative migratory periods. Our data suggest that the extent of seasonal fat deposits corresponds with migratory tendency in these facultative taxa. Specifically, nomadic red crossbills with a seasonally predictable annual movement demonstrated relatively large seasonal fat deposits coincident with the migratory periods. In contrast, pine siskins, thought to be more variable in timing and initiation of nomadic movements, had smaller peaks in fat deposits during the migratory season, and the partial migrant American goldfinch and the resident house finch showed no peaks coincident with migratory periods. Within the red crossbills, those ecotypes that are closely associated with pine habitats showed larger peaks in fat deposits coincident with autumn migratory periods and had higher wing loading, whereas those ecotypes associated with spruces, Douglas-fir and hemlocks showed larger peaks coincident with spring migratory periods and lower wing loading. We conclude that population averages of fat deposits do reflect facultative migration strategies in these species, as well as the winter thermogenic challenges at the study locations. A difference in seasonal fattening and wing loading among red crossbill ecotypes is consistent with the possibility that they differ in their migratory biology, and we discuss these differences in light of crossbill reproductive schedules and phenologies of different conifer species.

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