Effect of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus on the survival of Aedes albopictus, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, and Coquillettidia perturbans (Diptera: Culicidae).

The study investigates the impact of the eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus on the survival rates of several types of mosquitoes: Aedes albopictus, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, and Coquillettidia perturbans. The researchers found that infection with EEE significantly reduces the survival rate in Coquillettidia perturbans, but not in the other two types of mosquitoes.

Methodology

• The researchers conducted experiments to determine the survival rates of the selected mosquito species when infected with the EEE virus.
• Female mosquitoes were allowed to feed on EEE viremic chicks (chicks with the EEE virus in their bloodstream).
• They then compared survival rates between infected and uninfected mosquitoes.
• The research team also looked into the survival of two specific mosquito species, Coquillettidia perturbans and Anopheles quadrimaculatus, after being intrathoracically (within the chest area) inoculated with EEE.
• The inoculated mosquitoes were compared with control groups that received diluent inoculations (a substance used to dilute the virus for the purpose of the experiment).

Results and Conclusion

• The researchers found that infection with the EEE virus significantly reduced the survival rate in Coquillettidia perturbans when compared with the survival rate of uninfected individuals from the same species in per os (oral) infection experiments.
• However, when Coquillettidia perturbans were infected intrathoracically, there was no noticeable difference in survival rates when compared to the diluent-inoculated groups.
• In contrast, the survival rates of Aedes albopictus and Anopheles quadrimaculatus were not affected by EEE infection, irrespective of whether the infection was oral or intrathoracic.
• The findings suggest that the EEE virus could potentially affect mosquito populations, specifically the Coquillettidia perturbans species, and alters their survival rates. This has implications for disease transmission, vector control, and the overall ecology of these mosquito species.