Parasitism of Ascogregarina taiwanensis and Ascogregarina culicis (Apicomplexa: Lecudinidae) in larvae of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Manaus, Amazon region, Brazil

The aim of the study was to determine the existence of Ascogregarina spp. in larvae of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti collected in urban and suburban areas of Manaus, Amazon region, Brazil. Between May 2004 and July 2005, the mid-gut of 3rd and 4th instar larvae, collected in tire traps in six neighborhoods of Manaus, was examined for the presence of trophozoites of Ascogregarina. Coexistence of Ae. albopictus larvae infected by A. taiwanensis, and Ae. aegypti larvae by A. culicis, was detected in traps in the field. The percentage of Ae. albopictus larvae infected by A. taiwanensis ranged from 21% to 93.5% and of Ae. aegypti larvae infected by A. culicis from 22% to 95%. The mean infection intensity was similar in both species of Aedes. In traps located in Mauazinho, the replacement of Ae. aegypti by Ae. albopictus larvae was observed. In Manaus, Ae. albopictus larvae were parasitized by A. taiwanensis, and Ae. aegypti larvae by A. culicis. Infection rates were high when the species of Aedes were found separately.     

Differentiation of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) with egg surface morphology and morphometrics using scanning electron microscopy

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are potential arboviral vectors leading to high human fatality worldwide. Efforts in the present study were made to differentiate the eggs of A. aegypti and A. albopictus morphologically and morphometrically using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Morphometrically, these species’ eggs were 48.48% significantly different of the 33 attributes including egg dimensions, micropylar apparatus, dimensions and density of outer chorionic cells (OCCs), tubercles and width of exochorionic network. In comparison to A. aegypti eggs, A. albopictus eggs were significantly smaller and more tapered at the posterior end; however, the micropylar disc of A. aegypti was wider and had incomplete circular sectors whereas it was a narrower polygon without sectors in A. albopictus. These species were also significantly different with regards to OCC which enclose both large central and small peripheral tubercles. Specifically, the exochorionic networks in A. aegypti were interwoven, reticulated and extensively wide whereas they were narrow, prominent and solid-wall-like in A. albopictus. This feature may strengthen A. albopictus eggs against desiccation, when they are laid in containers. The morphometrical and morphological analysis of the egg’s attributes of A. aegypti and A. albopictus may be helpful in understanding egg biology as well as in species confirmation.     

Assessment of geraniol-incorporated polymers to control Aedes albopictus (Diptera: culicidae)

Effective control of mosquito borne diseases has proven extremely difficult with both vector and pathogen remaining entrenched and expanding in many disease endemic areas. When lacking an effective vaccine, vector control methods targeting both larval habitats and adult mosquito populations remain the primary strategy for reducing risk. Aedes albopictus from Thailand was used as a reference baseline for evaluation of natural insecticides incorporated in polymer disks and pellets and tested both in laboratory and field conditions. In laboratory and field tests, the highest larval mortality was obtained with disks or pellets containing IKHC (Insect Killer Highly Concentrate) from Fulltec AG Company. This product is reputed to contain geraniol as an active ingredient. With pellets, high mortality of Ae. albopictus larvae (92%) was observed in presence of 1 g of pellets per 500 ml of water at day 1st, and the mortality was 100% at day 1st for larvae in presence of 5 or 10 g of pellets. Fulltec AG Company has not accepted to give us the exact composition of their IKHC product. Therefore, we cannot recommend it, but the principle of using monoterpenes like geraniol, incorporated into polymer disks or pellets as natural larvicide needs more attention as it could be considered as a powerful alternative in mosquito vector control.     

Susceptibility of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus larvae to Ascogregarina culicis and Ascogregarina taiwanensis (Apicomplexa: Lecudinidae) from Florida

The susceptibility of Aedes aegypti to Ascogregarina culicis and Aedes albopictus to Ascogregarina taiwanensis was examined with mosquito and parasite strains from Tampa, FL. When each host was bioassayed with its natural gregarine, the infection intensity indicated that Ae. aegypti was 59% more susceptible to A. culicis (87 gamonts/larva) than Ae. albopictus to A. taiwanensis (47 gamonts/larva). Infections in single and mixed host populations exposed to 100 oocysts/larva of one and both parasites demonstrated that Ae. aegypti harbors higher A. culicis gamont loads than Ae. albopictus of A. taiwanensis. In dual gregarine exposures of single host populations, the A. culicis infection intensity in Ae. aegypti was reduced by approximately 50%. A. taiwanensis exhibited the same capability of infecting Ae. albopictus in single and dual exposures. In mixed host populations there were no cross infections, but A. taiwanensis in Ae. albopictus produced an infection intensity of approximately 70% lower than that of A. culicis in Ae. aegypti.     

Frequency of pyrethroid resistance in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand

Thirty‐two Aedes aegypti populations collected throughout Thailand and five populations of Aedes albopictus from southern Thailand were subjected to standard WHO contact bioassays to assess susceptibility to three commonly used synthetic pyrethroids: permethrin, deltamethrin, and lambda‐cyhalothrin. A wide degree of physiological response to permethrin was detected in Ae. aegypti, ranging from 56.5% survival (Lampang, northern Thailand) to only 4% (Kalasin in northeastern and Phuket in southern Thailand). All 32 populations of Ae. aegypti were found to have evidence of incipient resistance (62.5%) or levels of survival deemed resistant (37.5%) to permethrin. Four populations of Ae. albopictus were found with incipient resistance (97 – 80% mortality) and one with resistance (< 80%) to permethrin. The majority of Ae. aegypti populations (68.7%) was susceptible (> 98% mortality) to deltamethrin, with incipient resistance (observed 97–82% mortality) in other localities. In contrast, all populations of Ae. aegypti were completely susceptible (100% mortality) to the recommended operational dosage of lambda‐cyhalothrin. All five populations of Ae. albopictus were found completely susceptible to both deltamethrin and lambda‐cyhalothrin. Evidence of defined incipient or resistance to synthetic pyrethroids mandates appropriate response and countermeasures to mitigate further development and spread of resistance. In light of these findings, we conclude that routine and comprehensive susceptibility monitoring of dengue mosquito vectors to synthetic pyrethroids should be a required component of resistance management policies and disease control activities.     

Synthesis and bio-evaluation of aryl hydrazono esters for oviposition responses in Aedes albopictus

A novel series of aryl hydrazono esters (AHE) (1-13) were synthesized (yield 76-98%) to study the oviposition responses in Aedes albopictus (Skuse) mosquitoes for the first time. At a concentration of 10 μg ml⁻¹ in dual choice experiment, among the screened compounds, AHE-12 showed remarkable oviposition attractant activity with an oviposition activity index (OAI) of +0.299 (greater than 95% confidence limit) comparable to p-cresol (OAI +0.320) which is well-reported oviposition attractant for Aedes aegypti. Conversely, AHE-10 exhibited highest oviposition deterrent activity with OAI −0.247. The possible utilization of these compounds will be in integrated vector management strategies.     

The effect of photoperiod on life history and blood‐feeding activity in Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Several studies have examined how climatic variables such as temperature and precipitation may affect life history traits in mosquitoes that are important to disease transmission. Despite its importance as a seasonal cue in nature, studies investigating the influence of photoperiod on such traits are relatively few. This study aims to investigate how photoperiod alters life history traits, survival, and blood‐feeding activity in Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus). We performed three experiments that tested the effects of day length on female survival, development time, adult size, fecundity, adult life span, and propensity to blood feed in Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti. Each experiment had three photoperiod treatments: 1) short‐day (10L:14D), 2) control (12L:12D), and 3) long‐day (14L:10D). Aedes albopictus adult females were consistently larger in size when reared in short‐day conditions. Aedes aegypti adult females from short‐day treatments lived longer and were more likely to take a blood meal compared to other treatments. We discuss how species‐specific responses may reflect alternative strategies evolved to increase survival during unfavorable conditions. We review the potential impacts of these responses on seasonal transmission patterns, such as potentially increasing vectorial capacity of Ae. aegypti during periods of shorter day lengths.     

State‐wide survey of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Florida

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are invasive mosquito species with geographic ranges that have oscillated within Florida since their presence was first documented. Local transmission of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses serves as evidence of the public health importance of these two species. It is important to have detailed knowledge of their distribution to aid in mosquito control efforts and understand the risk of arbovirus transmission to humans. Through a partnership involving the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Service and the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory; the Florida Department of Health; and mosquito control agencies throughout Florida, a container mosquito surveillance program involving all life stages was launched in the summer of 2016 to detect the presence of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Results from this survey were mapped to provide a picture of the current known distribution of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in Florida. Aedes aegypti and/or Ae. albopictus were detected in the 56 counties that were part of the survey. Only Aedes albopictus was detected in 26 counties, primarily in the panhandle region of Florida. The results of this work underscore the importance of maintaining container mosquito surveillance in a state where chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses are present and where there is continued risk for exotic arbovirus introductions.     

Prevalence and seasonality of Ascogregarina culicis (Apicomplexa: Lecudinidae) in natural populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from temperate Argentina

Ascogregarina infections from South America were recently documented in Brazil and Argentina. The aim of this study was to report our recent findings on the prevalence and seasonality of Ascogregarina culicis in Aedes aegypti adults from temperate Argentina. Between December 2003 and May 2005, 391 females of Ae. aegypti were captured in two areas of Greater Buenos Aires. Overall prevalence of A. culicis was 21.2% (83/391), and a significant difference was observed between both areas (28.4% vs. 8%). Infected Ae. aegypti were found from November to May, with highest values in March (24-37%). Parasite prevalence and host abundance showed similar seasonal patterns. Our observations suggest a widespread infestation of A. culicis among Ae. aegypti populations from temperate Argentina.     

Predation potential of three flatworm species (Platyhelminthes: Turbellaria) on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

We conducted a field survey for flatworms to select species as potential biological control agents against Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens (Diptera, Culicidae) breeding in artificial containers. Laboratory experiments were performed to determine the daily predation rate, differential predation on each mosquito larval instar, selective predation on either A. aegypti or C. pipiens, and predator tolerance to water from artificial containers. Girardia anceps (Tricladida, Paludicola, Dugesiidae), Mesostoma ehrenbergii and Bothromesostoma cf. evelinae (Rhabdocoela, Typhloplanoida, Typhloplanidae) were found in temporary puddles and permanent pools. In the laboratory, they killed between 52% and 100% of immature mosquitoes coexisting in the same habitat. No preference of flatworms for mosquito preys was detected. Predation rate was related to predator size and instar of preys. Girardia anceps and B. evelinae survived after a dry period and when re-flooding occurred, they laid eggs. Tolerance to water from artificial containers was highest in G. anceps and this species could be a suitable predator to reduce mosquito populations from artificial containers using an inoculative approach.     

Conservation of a highly repeated DNA family of Aedes albopictus among mosquito genomes (Diptera: Culicidae)

Summary The genomic organization and chromosomal localization of a cloned 0.79-kb highly repeated DNA fragment, H-115, isolated from Aedes albopictus has been examined. The cloned fragment is a part of a larger unit of 1.86 kb that is tandemly repeated in the Ae. albopictus genome. The H-115 family of sequences are located at the intercalary position on chromosome 1 in Ae. albopictus. Similar patterns of in situ and Southern blot hybridization results are obtained in Ae. aegypti, Ae. seatoi, Ae. flavopictus, Ae. polynesiensis, Ae. Alcasidi, and Ae. katherinensis. The H-115 sequences are widely conserved in Culicidae and are found in Haemagogus equinus, Tripteroides bambusa, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus by hybridization under high stringency conditions. The H-115 sequences are also tandemly repeated in Hg. equinus with a monomer unit of 1.86 kb and in Tp. bambusa with a slightly diverged monomer unit of 1.90kb. In Anopheles quadrimaculatus, the H-115 sequences are dispersed throughout the genome. Partial sequence analysis shows that the H-115 insert is 62% AT and contains two perfect inverted repeats and numerous perfect direct repeats. The occurrence of inverted repeats with potential to form intrastrand palindromic structure suggests that the H-115 family of sequences may be involved in chromatin condensation.     

The effect of sugar meals and body size on fecundity and longevity of female Aedes communis(Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract. Starved females of Aedes communis (DeGeer) had significantly shorter mean lifespans than females with access to one blood meal and/or sugar meals. For the starving females, lifespan was significantly correlated with wing length. This correlation was not found in sugar- and/or blood-fed females. Fructose and sucrose had similar effects on mosquito lifespan. The 25% and 50% (w/w) solutions of each, increased mean lifespans to 37.8 ± 7.2 and 34.9 ± 9.1 days, respectively. A 10% solution, of either sugar, was significantly inferior, mean lifespan 23.2 ± 10.2 days. The initial sugar meal was very important for female longevity. Subsequent meals aided in ovarian development. One sugar meal, one blood meal, and several sugar meals during oogenesis was found to be the optimal diet for the female mosquitoes in this study.     

Invasive mosquitoes, larval competition, and indirect effects on the vector competence of native mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae)

Invasive arthropods that vector pathogens have the potential to influence pathogen transmission both directly, by becoming a novel pathogen vector, or indirectly, by interacting with native vectors. Adult mosquito size is influenced by food availability in the larval stage, and smaller, nutrient-deprived mosquitoes are, in some studies, more efficient viral vectors in the laboratory. This is the first study to examine the indirect impacts that larval competition between Aedes albopictus, an introduced mosquito species, and Ochlerotatus triseriatus, a native mosquito species and the primary vector for La Crosse virus (LACV) in the US, has on native mosquito larval survival, adult size, and vector competence. A. albopictus presence decreased Oc. triseriatus larval survival, but surviving Oc. triseriatus females were larger, potentially owing to a release from intraspecific competition. These larger, native females were more likely to develop both midgut and disseminated LACV infections than females emerging from monospecific treatments. Collectively, these results suggest a need to better understand the ecology of both native and invasive vector species, their interactions, and the potential for those interactions to alter vector-borne disease transmission.     

Patterns of morphometric and allozyme variation in Aedes albopictus

A survey of microgeographic variation using morphometric and allozyme analyses was conducted on 19 US populations of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae), a mosquito that was recently introduced into the US. There was considerable variation within and among populations both in morphometric traits and allele frequencies. A multivariate discriminant analysis enabled the separation of populations into distinct groups; separation among the populations in the morphometric analysis was incomplete with an average of 70% of the individuals being correctly classified. In the allozyme analysis, the discrimination was complete. The populations from Texas were placed close together in the morphometric analysis, whereas in the allozyme analysis a geographic clustering of populations could not be detected. A test of association between the distance matrices derived from the morphometric and allozyme analyses was statistically nonsignificant. The results are discussed in the context of the colonization of the US by A. albopictus. The possible factors underlying the differences in the patterns of variation derived from morphometric and allozyme analyses are also discussed.     

Intraspecific variation in nuclear DNA content among world populations of a mosquito,Aedes albopictus (Skuse)

Summary Aedes albopictus is commonly distributed in most parts of the Oriental region and on many islands in the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. The species was recently introduced into the United States and Brazil. Feulgen cytophotometric quantitation of haploid nuclear DNA content was carried out for 37 populations of Ae. albopictus to determine the extent of intraspecific variation in nuclear DNA content and whether the range expansion of the species has coincided with an increase in DNA content. The haploid nuclear DNA content varied nearly three-fold. The minimum DNA content was 0.62 pg in Koh Samui from Thailand, and the maximum DNA content was 1.66 pg in Houston-61 from the United States. Statistical comparisons of populations revealed significant differences in DNA contents. No geographic clustering of populations was noted with respect to DNA content. In general, populations from the United States and Brazil had higher DNA contents, but there was no indication that the range expansion had occurred hand in hand with an increase in DNA content. Each population had a specific amount of DNA that is probably imposed by the microenvironment.     

重金属镉胁迫对白纹伊蚊幼虫海藻糖代谢的影响

【目的】深入了解镉对白纹伊蚊Aedes albopictus的毒害作用机理和白纹伊蚊对极端环境的适应机制,揭示重金属胁迫对白纹伊蚊种群发生、疾病传播等可能存在的影响,为卫生害虫防控等提供参考依据。【方法】分别用200 mL配制好的50, 100, 200, 300和400 mg/L镉溶液对放置于320 mL一次性杯中长势一致的白纹伊蚊3龄末至4龄初幼虫急性染毒12 h,以双蒸水养殖幼虫作为对照。通过生化方法测定处理后12 h白纹伊蚊幼虫体内海藻糖、葡萄糖和总糖原含量以及可溶性海藻糖酶(TRE1)和膜结合型海藻糖酶(TRE2)活力,并采用qRT PCR测定这些幼虫体内海藻糖合成酶基因(TPS), TRE1和TRE2表达量。【结果】在200和300 mg/L重金属镉处理12 h时白纹伊蚊幼虫海藻糖含量显著增加,在高镉浓度(300和400mg/L)处理时葡萄糖含量显著下降,而不同镉浓度急性处理对总糖原含量没有影响。TRE1和TRE2活力在高镉浓度(300和400 mg/L)处理时显著下降。300 mg/L镉处理组TPS相对表达量达到最高值,TRE1和TRE2相对表达量在高镉浓度(300和400 mg/L)处理时显著下降,与酶活力变化趋势表现一致。【结论】当镉浓度低于半致死浓度(217 mg/L)时,镉急性胁迫使白纹伊蚊幼虫TPS基因表达上调,而TRE基因则表达量下降,TRE活力降低,从而促使葡萄糖转化为海藻糖,通过海藻糖的积累来应对镉胁迫压力。这些结果说明海藻糖在白纹伊蚊在重金属应激中起一定作用,白纹伊蚊幼虫可以通过合成海藻糖从而提高应对镉胁迫的抗逆能力。     

Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungus,Metarhizium anisopliae MET-GRA4 isolate on dengue vectors,Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae)

Considering the rapid transmission of the dengue virus, substantial efforts need to be conducted to ward-off the epidemics of dengue viruses. The control effort is depending on chemical insecticides and had aroused undesirable conflicts of insecticide resistance. Here, we study the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae as a promising new biological control agent for vector control. The pathogenicity effects of Metarhizium anisopliae against field and laboratory strains of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti larvae were tested using the larvicidal bioassay technique. The results demonstrate that the treatments using M. anisopliae isolate MET-GRA4 were highly effective and able to kill 100% of both Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti mosquito larvae at a conidia concentration of 1 × 10?/ml within 7 days of the treatment period. The fungus displayed high larvicidal activity against laboratory and field strain of Ae. aegypti larvae with LC₅₀ values (9.6 × 10³/ml, 1.3 × 10³/ml) and LC₉₅ values (1.2 × 10?/ml, 5.5 × 10⁵/ml) respectively. For Ae. albopictus, LC₅₀ values for laboratory and field strains were (1.7 × 10⁴/ml, 2.7 × 10⁴/ml) and the LC₉₅ values were (2.1 × 10?/ml, 7.0 × 10⁵/ml) respectively. Interestingly, the susceptibility of field strain towards M. anisopliae was higher as compared to the laboratory strain Aedes larvae. In which, the causative agents of all the dead larvae were verified by the virulence of M. anisopliae and caused morphological deformities on larval body. The findings from this study identify this isolate could be an effective potential biocontrol agent for vector mosquitoes in Malaysia.     

The presence of white eggs in the monitoring of Aedes albopictus ( Diptera: Culicidae) by ovitraps

Using international trading and passive transportation routes, the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894), has colonized Europe. While the most common tool to monitor the presence of the mosquito is the ovitrap, other kinds of eggs are occasionally found in the traps as well. Most of the eggs are easy to distinguish, however, some white‐yellow eggs have a similar shape and size to those of the tiger mosquito and are often falsely identified as freshly laid tiger mosquito eggs. We have shown that these eggs had been laid by Psychoda alternata Say, 1824, and the misinterpretation may cause large errors in calculating density and patterns of Ae. albopictus. To avoid mistakes, a microscopic observation should be done at least 48 h after collecting the sample to permit Ae. albopictus eggs to darken.     

Age-grading and growth of Wuchereria bancrofti (Filariidea: Onchocercidae) larvae by growth measurements and its use for estimating blood-meal intervals of its Polynesian vector Aedes polynesiensis (Diptera: Culicidae)

Growth in length and width of Wuchereria bancrofti (Filariidea: Onchocercidae) larvae developing in its Polynesian vector Aedes polynesiensis (Diptera: Culicidae) was analysed using a mathematical approach to objectively extract patterns. L1 had a U-shaped growth in length, while widths followed an S-shaped function. L2 had an S-shaped growth in length and width. Growth in length of L3 was also S-shaped, while widths had an asymptotic size following a period of rapid shrinkage. The greatest difference between length and width was in stage 3 where the length was over 75 times greater than the width. The ratio of length to width was approximately 50 for microfilariae and only 10 for the L1 ('sausage') stage. Characteristic mean length (and width) were approximately 280(7) microm for microfilariae, approximately 181 microm for L1 at their smallest, and approximately 1584(22) microm for L3 infective larvae. There was a great increase in length during stage 2 from approximately 322(27) to approximately 982(31) microm. Stage duration decreased with increasing temperature while growth rate increased, giving steeper growth curves. There was no effect of temperature on size, except for L3, which were shorter when mosquitoes were reared at higher temperature. It appears that larval growth is a continuous process from microfilariae to the young L3 stage, and continuously modifies the larval parasite aspect, even within each stage. Thus, information on larval shape may be used as an age indicator and in some cases, may give an estimation on time elapsed since infection of the vector.An important demographic parameter used in most mathematical models describing transmission of parasites by insect vectors is the length of the gonotrophic cycle of the vector, i.e. the time interval between two successive blood-meals. Usual methods for computing such a parameter are based on mark-recapture techniques. However, reliable estimates need substantial capture rates, which are not always possible. This paper presents another approach in which marked mosquitoes are those naturally infected by W. bancrofti. For one mosquito, the time since infection is simply the age of the developing larval parasite. Our method first expresses the age of larval parasite as a fraction of total development time (from microfilariae entering the vector to L3 larvae) using a regression model based on measurements of the parasite's length and width. This fraction of development is then converted to a chronological age since infection, using a back-calculation procedure involving ambient temperatures and growth rates of W. bancrofti larvae in the vector. The method is applied to wild caught Ae. polynesiensis in French Polynesia to compute the length of the gonotrophic cycle. This mosquito species comes to bite approximately 3, 6-7 and 9 days after a first infectious blood-meal. Then the length of the gonotrophic cycle may be of 3-4 days.