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Seang-Arwut C, Hanboonsong Y, Muenworn V, Rocklöv J, Haque U, Ekalaksananan T, Paul RE, Overgaard HJ. Indoor resting behavior of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in northeastern Thailand. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:127. [PMID: 37060087 PMCID: PMC10103527 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05746-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes aegypti is a vector of several arboviruses, notably dengue virus (DENV), which causes dengue fever and is often found resting indoors. Culex spp. are largely nuisance mosquitoes but can include species that are vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Vector control is currently the main method to control dengue outbreaks. Indoor residual spraying can be part of an effective vector control strategy but requires an understanding of the resting behavior. Here we focus on the indoor-resting behavior of Ae. aegypti and Culex spp. in northeastern Thailand. METHODS Mosquitoes were collected in 240 houses in rural and urban settings from May to August 2019 at two collection times (morning/afternoon), in four room types (bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen) in each house and at three wall heights (< 0.75 m, 0.75-1.5 m, > 1.5 m) using a battery-driven aspirator and sticky traps. Household characteristics were ascertained. Mosquitoes were identified as Ae. aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex spp. Dengue virus was detected in Ae. aegypti. Association analyses between urban/rural and within-house location (wall height, room), household variables, geckos and mosquito abundance were performed. RESULTS A total of 2874 mosquitoes were collected using aspirators and 1830 using sticky traps. Aedes aegypti and Culex spp. accounted for 44.78% and 53.17% of the specimens, respectively. Only 2.05% were Ae. albopictus. Aedes aegypti and Culex spp. rested most abundantly at intermediate and low heights in bedrooms or bathrooms (96.6% and 85.2% for each taxon of the total, respectively). Clothes hanging at intermediate heights were associated with higher mean numbers of Ae. aegypti in rural settings (0.81 [SEM: 0.08] vs. low: 0.61 [0.08] and high: 0.32 [0.09]). Use of larval control was associated with lower numbers of Ae. aegypti (yes: 0.61 [0.08]; no: 0.70 [0.07]). All DENV-positive Ae. aegypti (1.7%, 5 of 422) were collected in the rural areas and included specimens with single, double and even triple serotype infections. CONCLUSIONS Knowledge of the indoor resting behavior of adult mosquitoes and associated environmental factors can guide the choice of the most appropriate and effective vector control method. Our work suggests that vector control using targeted indoor residual spraying and/or potentially spatial repellents focusing on walls at heights lower than 1.5 m in bedrooms and bathrooms could be part of an integrated effective strategy for dengue vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chadapond Seang-Arwut
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Yupa Hanboonsong
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Vithee Muenworn
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health & Heidelberg Interdisciplinary Centre for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Ubydul Haque
- Rutgers Global Health Institute, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Tipaya Ekalaksananan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Richard E Paul
- UMR2000, Ecology and Emergence of Arthropod-Borne Pathogens Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Hans J Overgaard
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
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Kittayapong P, Kittayapong R, Ninphanomchai S, Limohpasmanee W. The MosHouse ® Trap: Evaluation of the Efficiency in Trapping Sterile Aedes aegypti Males in Semi-Field Conditions. Insects 2022; 13:1050. [PMID: 36421953 PMCID: PMC9693147 DOI: 10.3390/insects13111050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Arbovirus diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, are important public health problems. Controlling the major vector, Aedes aegypti, is the only approach to suppressing these diseases. The surveillance of this mosquito species needs effective collecting methods. In this study, a simple MosHouse sticky trap was evaluated in a semi-field condition. Our results demonstrated the efficiency of this trap in collecting Ae. aegypti males, and no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the numbers of males was detected when compared with the widely used BG- Sentinel trap. However, there were significantly lower numbers of females (p < 0.05) collected using the MosHouse trap when compared to the BG-Sentinel trap. We also found a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the collected numbers between irradiated and non-irradiated males. More irradiated males were collected in the MosHouse traps. The improvement of male collection was achieved with the addition of a sugar stick and sticky flags. Significantly higher numbers of males were collected in the MosHouse trap with sticky flags compared to the original one when they were released independently of females, but both were collected in higher numbers when they were released together (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our experiments demonstrated that the MosHouse trap could sample Ae. aegypti, especially males, as efficiently as the established BG-Sentinel trap, while the cost was more than 50 times lower, showing the potential of the MosHouse trap for improved Ae. aegypti male and female surveillance with very large numbers of traps at affordable costs. In addition, significantly (p < 0.001) increased male sampling was achieved by adding an external sticky flag on the MosHouse trap, providing an avenue for further development of the novel male-trapping strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pattamaporn Kittayapong
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Go Green Company Limited, Science Building 2, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Rungrith Kittayapong
- Go Green Company Limited, Science Building 2, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Suwannapa Ninphanomchai
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Wanitch Limohpasmanee
- Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Nakhon Nayok 26120, Thailand
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Djiappi-Tchamen B, Nana-Ndjangwo MS, Tchuinkam T, Makoudjou I, Nchoutpouen E, Kopya E, Talipouo A, Bamou R, Mayi MPA, Awono-Ambene P, Wondji C, Antonio-Nkondjio C. Aedes Mosquito Distribution along a Transect from Rural to Urban Settings in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Insects 2021; 12:819. [PMID: 34564259 PMCID: PMC8471432 DOI: 10.3390/insects12090819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The surveillance of mosquito vectors is important for the control of arboviruses diseases worldwide. Detailed information on the bionomics and distribution of their main vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, is essential for assessing disease transmission risk and for better planning of control interventions. METHODS Entomological surveys were carried out from November 2019 to November 2020 in six localities of Yaoundé city following a transect from urban to rural settings: two urban (Obili, Mvan), two peri-urban (Simbock, Ahala) and two rural areas (Lendom, Elig-essomballa)-during rainy and dry seasons. All water containers were inspected. Aedes mosquito abundance, species distribution and seasonal distribution patterns were compared using generalized linear models. Stegomyia indexes were estimated to determine the risk of arbovirus transmission. RESULTS A total of 6332 mosquitoes larvae were collected (2342 in urban areas, 1694 in peri-urban areas and 2296 in rural sites). Aedes species recorded included Ae. albopictus, Ae. aegytpi, Ae. simpsoni and Aedes spp. High mosquito abundance was registered in the rainy season (4706) compared to the dry season (1626) (p < 0.0001). Ae. albopictus was the most abundant Aedes species in urban (96.89%) and peri-urban (95.09%) sites whereas Ae. aegypti was more prevalent in rural sites (68.56%) (p < 0.0001). Both species were found together in 71 larval habitats. Ae. albopictus was mostly found in discarded tires (42.51%), whereas Ae. aegypti was more prevalent in plastic containers used for storing water (65.87%). The majority of Aedes mosquitoes' breeding places were situated close to human dwellings (0-10 m). CONCLUSION Uncontrolled urbanization seems to greatly favour the presence of Aedes mosquito species around human dwellings in Yaoundé. Controlling Aedes mosquito distribution is becoming urgent to reduce the risk of arbovirus outbreaks in the city of Yaoundé.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borel Djiappi-Tchamen
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Research Unit Biology and Applied Ecology (VBID-RUBAE), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 067, Cameroon; (B.D.-T.); (T.T.); (R.B.); (M.P.A.M.)
- Institut de Recherche de Yaoundé (IRY), Organisation de Coordination pour la Lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé P.O. Box 288, Cameroon; (M.S.N.-N.); (I.M.); (E.K.); (A.T.); (P.A.-A.)
| | - Mariette Stella Nana-Ndjangwo
- Institut de Recherche de Yaoundé (IRY), Organisation de Coordination pour la Lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé P.O. Box 288, Cameroon; (M.S.N.-N.); (I.M.); (E.K.); (A.T.); (P.A.-A.)
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé P.O. Box 337, Cameroon
| | - Timoléon Tchuinkam
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Research Unit Biology and Applied Ecology (VBID-RUBAE), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 067, Cameroon; (B.D.-T.); (T.T.); (R.B.); (M.P.A.M.)
| | - Idene Makoudjou
- Institut de Recherche de Yaoundé (IRY), Organisation de Coordination pour la Lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé P.O. Box 288, Cameroon; (M.S.N.-N.); (I.M.); (E.K.); (A.T.); (P.A.-A.)
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé P.O. Box 337, Cameroon
| | - Elysée Nchoutpouen
- Centre for Research in Infectious Disease (CRID), Yaoundé P.O. Box 13591, Cameroon; (E.N.); (C.W.)
| | - Edmond Kopya
- Institut de Recherche de Yaoundé (IRY), Organisation de Coordination pour la Lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé P.O. Box 288, Cameroon; (M.S.N.-N.); (I.M.); (E.K.); (A.T.); (P.A.-A.)
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé P.O. Box 337, Cameroon
| | - Abdou Talipouo
- Institut de Recherche de Yaoundé (IRY), Organisation de Coordination pour la Lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé P.O. Box 288, Cameroon; (M.S.N.-N.); (I.M.); (E.K.); (A.T.); (P.A.-A.)
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé P.O. Box 337, Cameroon
| | - Roland Bamou
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Research Unit Biology and Applied Ecology (VBID-RUBAE), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 067, Cameroon; (B.D.-T.); (T.T.); (R.B.); (M.P.A.M.)
- Institut de Recherche de Yaoundé (IRY), Organisation de Coordination pour la Lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé P.O. Box 288, Cameroon; (M.S.N.-N.); (I.M.); (E.K.); (A.T.); (P.A.-A.)
| | - Marie Paul Audrey Mayi
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Research Unit Biology and Applied Ecology (VBID-RUBAE), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 067, Cameroon; (B.D.-T.); (T.T.); (R.B.); (M.P.A.M.)
| | - Parfait Awono-Ambene
- Institut de Recherche de Yaoundé (IRY), Organisation de Coordination pour la Lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé P.O. Box 288, Cameroon; (M.S.N.-N.); (I.M.); (E.K.); (A.T.); (P.A.-A.)
| | - Charles Wondji
- Centre for Research in Infectious Disease (CRID), Yaoundé P.O. Box 13591, Cameroon; (E.N.); (C.W.)
- Vector Biology Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio
- Institut de Recherche de Yaoundé (IRY), Organisation de Coordination pour la Lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé P.O. Box 288, Cameroon; (M.S.N.-N.); (I.M.); (E.K.); (A.T.); (P.A.-A.)
- Vector Biology Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
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Enriquez GF, Cecere MC, Alvarado-Otegui JA, Alvedro A, Gaspe MS, Laiño MA, Gürtler RE, Cardinal MV. Improved detection of house infestations with triatomines using sticky traps: a paired-comparison trial in the Argentine Chaco. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:26. [PMID: 31937361 PMCID: PMC6961371 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3891-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We conducted a matched-pairs trial of three methods for detecting house infestation with triatominae bugs in a well-defined endemic rural area in the Argentine Chaco. Methods The three methods included a simple double-sided adhesive tape (ST) installed near host resting sites; timed-manual collections with a dislodging aerosol (TMC, the reference method used by vector control programmes), and householders’ bug notifications (HN). Triatomine infestations were evaluated in 103 sites of 54 houses, including domiciles, kitchens and storerooms. Results In domiciles where Triatoma infestans was collected, sensitivity of each single method decreased from 79% by ST and 77% by HN, to 57% by TMC, and increased to 92% when ST was combined with HN. In peridomestic kitchens and storerooms, TMC was relatively as sensitive as ST and significantly more sensitive than HN. On average, the number of bugs recovered by ST was 0.94 times that collected by TMC. The ST mainly collected early-instar nymphs whereas TMC yielded late (larger) stages. Triatomines caught by ST had significantly lower mean weight-to-length ratios and lower blood-feeding rates than those caught by TMC, suggesting the ST intercepted and trapped vectors seeking a blood meal host. Conclusions The ST may effectively replace TMC for detecting T. infestans in domiciles, and is especially apt for early detection of low-density domestic infestations in the frame of community-based surveillance or elimination programmes; decision making on whether an area should be targeted for full-coverage insecticide spraying, and to corroborate that extant conditions are compatible with the interruption of vector-borne transmission.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Fabián Enriquez
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - María Carla Cecere
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julián Antonio Alvarado-Otegui
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Alvedro
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Sol Gaspe
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariano Alberto Laiño
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Esteban Gürtler
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marta Victoria Cardinal
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Liew JWK, Selvarajoo S, Tan W, Ahmad Zaki R, Vythilingam I. Gravid oviposition sticky trap and dengue non-structural 1 antigen test for early surveillance of dengue in multi-storey dwellings: study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial. Infect Dis Poverty 2019; 8:71. [PMID: 31477185 PMCID: PMC6720065 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-019-0584-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dengue is a global disease, transmitted by the Aedes vectors. In 2018, there were 80 615 dengue cases with 147 deaths in Malaysia. Currently, the nationwide surveillance programs are dependent on Aedes larval surveys and notifications of lab-confirmed human infections. The existing, reactive programs appear to lack sensitivity and proactivity. More efficient dengue vector surveillance/control methods are needed. Methods A parallel, cluster, randomized controlled, interventional trial is being conducted for 18 months in Damansara Damai, Selangor, Malaysia, to determine the efficacy of using gravid oviposition sticky (GOS) trap and dengue non-structural 1 (NS1) antigen test for early surveillance of dengue among Aedes mosquitoes to reduce dengue outbreaks. Eight residential apartments were randomly assigned into intervention and control arms. GOS traps are set at the apartments to collect Aedes weekly, following which dengue NS1 antigen is detected in these mosquitoes. When a dengue-positive mosquito is detected, the community will be advised to execute vector search-and-destroy and protective measures. The primary outcome concerns the the percentage change in the (i) number of dengue cases and (ii) durations of dengue outbreaks. Whereas other outcome measures include the change in density threshold of Aedes and changes in dengue-related knowledge, attitude and practice among cluster inhabitants. Discussion This is a proactive and early dengue surveillance in the mosquito vector that does not rely on notification of dengue cases. Surveillance using the GOS traps should be able to efficiently provide sufficient coverage for multistorey dwellings where population per unit area is likely to be higher. Furthermore, trapping dengue-infected mosquitoes using the GOS trap, helps to halt the dengue transmission carried by the mosquito. It is envisaged that the results of this randomized controlled trial will provide a new proactive, cheap and targeted surveillance tool for the prevention and control of dengue outbreaks. Trial registration This is a parallel-cluster, randomized controlled, interventional trial, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT03799237), on 8th January 2019 (retrospectively registered). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40249-019-0584-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Wee Kent Liew
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sivaneswari Selvarajoo
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wing Tan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki
- Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Indra Vythilingam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Dieng H, Satho T, Binti Arzemi NA, Aliasan NE, Abang F, Wydiamala E, Miake F, Zuharah WF, Abu Kassim NF, Morales Vargas RE, Morales NP, Noweg GT. Exposure of a diurnal mosquito vector to floral mimics: Foraging responses, feeding patterns, and significance for sugar bait technology. Acta Trop 2018; 185:230-238. [PMID: 29856985 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Food location by mosquitoes is mediated by resource-derived olfactory and visual signals. Smell sensation is intermittent and dependent on the environment, whereas visual signals are continual and precede olfactory cues. Success of mosquito bait technology, where olfactory cues are used for attraction, is being impeded by reduced attractiveness. Despite proof that mosquitoes respond to colored objects, including those mimicking floral shape, and that they can discriminate among flowers, the impacts of artificial flowers on foraging remain unexplored. Using artificial flowers with sugar rewards, we examined the foraging responses of Aedes aegypti to various colors in equal choice bioassays. Starved adults were exposed to single flowers with petals of a given color (Single Blue Flowers [SBFs]; Single Red Flowers [SRFs]; Single Yellow Flowers [SYFs]; Single Pink Flowers [SPIFs]; and Single Purple Flowers [SPFs]) and two others with white petals (SWFs). Discrepancies in response time, visitation, feeding, and resting of both sexes were compared between colored flowers and SWFs. Ae. aegypti exhibited shorter response times to colored flowers compared to SWFs, but this behavior was mostly seen for SBFs or SYFs in females, and SRFs, SYFs, SPIFs, or SPFs in males. When provided an option to land on colored flowers and SWFs, female visitation occurred at high rates on SBFs, SRFs, SYFs, SPIFs, and SPFs; for males, this preference for colored flowers was seen to a lesser degree on SBF and SPIFs. Both sexes exhibited preference for colored flowers as sugar sources, but with different patterns: SPIFs, SRFs, SYFs, and SPFs for females; SYFs, SPFs, SPIFs and SRFs for males. Females preferentially rested on colored flowers when in competition with SWFs, but this preference was more pronounced for SPFs, SRFs, and SBFs. Males exhibited an increased preference for SRFs, SPFs, and SYFs as resting sites. Our results indicated the attraction of Ae. aegypti to rewarding artificial flowers, in some cases in ways similar to live flowering plants. The discovery that both male and female Ae. aegypti can feed on nectar mimics held by artificial flowers opens new avenues for improving sugar bait technology and for developing new attract-and-kill devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamady Dieng
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Tomomitsu Satho
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Japan
| | | | - Nur Ezzati Aliasan
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Fatimah Abang
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
| | - Erida Wydiamala
- Faculty of Medicine, Lambung Mangkurat University, South Kalimantan, Indonesia
| | - Fumio Miake
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Japan
| | - Wan Fatma Zuharah
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | | | | | - Gabriel Tonga Noweg
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
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