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Host-feeding patterns of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in urban and rural contexts within Rome province, Italy.
Abstract: Knowledge of the frequency of contact between a mosquito species and its different hosts is essential to understand the role of each vector species in the transmission of diseases to humans and/or animals. However, no data are so far available on the feeding habits of Aedes albopictus in Italy or in other recently colonized temperate regions of Europe, due to difficulties in collecting blood-fed females of this diurnal and exophilic species. We analyzed Ae. albopictus host-feeding patterns in two urban and two rural sites within the area of Rome (Italy). Ae. albopictus was collected using sticky-traps and the blood-meal origin of 303 females was determined by direct dot-ELISA. The blood-fed sample, although representing only 4% of the total Ae. albopictus collected, demonstrates the useful application of sticky-trap in studying the feeding behavior of the species. The human blood index was significantly different among sites, ranging from 79-96% in urban sites to 23-55% in rural sites, where horses and bovines represented the most bitten hosts. The results obtained confirm the plastic feeding behavior shown by Ae. albopictus in its original range of distribution and highlights the high potential of this species as a vector of human pathogens in urban areas of Italy, where both humans and the mosquito itself may reach very high densities.
Publication Date: 2009-06-03 PubMed ID: 19485771DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2009.0007Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study investigates the feeding preferences of the Aedes albopictus mosquito, a potential disease vector, in both urban and rural areas of Rome, Italy. Results reveal that this mosquito species is more prone to feed on humans in urban settings, while favoring horses and bovines in rural environments, emphasizing its high potential as a vector of human pathogens, especially in densely populated cities.
Research Methodology
- Researchers chose to study the feeding habits of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito species notorious for its blood-feeding habits. No previous data was available for this species in Italy or recently colonized European temperate regions due to the challenge of collecting blood-fed females, which are diurnal and exophilic (active during daytime and preferring outdoor environments).
- The study was conducted in four sites within Rome, two urban and two rural, to understand the species’ feeding patterns in different environments.
- Aedes albopictus mosquitos were collected using ‘sticky-traps’, an effective technique to study their feeding behavior. Of the collected samples, only 4% were blood-fed females.
- The researchers determined the origin of the mosquitoes’ blood meal using a procedure called direct dot-ELISA, a method commonly used to identify specific proteins like those found in different animal bloods.
Findings
- The results varied significantly depending on geographic location. In urban sites, the Human Blood Index (the proportion of blood meals taken from humans) ranged from 79-96%. This suggests that in city environments, these mosquitoes predominantly feed on humans.
- In contrast, in rural sites, the Human Blood Index plummeted to a range between 23-55%. In these areas, horses and bovines were the most common hosts for mosquito blood meals.
- The findings affirm that Ae. albopictus demonstrates plastic feeding behavior (adjusting feeding habits based on available hosts), consistent with what has been observed in its original areas of distribution.
Implications
- The study highlights the high potential of Ae. albopictus to transmit human pathogens in urban regions. This is particularly concerning in densely populated areas where both the human population and mosquito population can reach high densities, leading to increased contact rates.
- Understanding the feeding preferences of this mosquito can help in devising targeted control and prevention strategies against mosquito-borne diseases, offering vital insights for public health planning and disease control.
Cite This Article
APA
Valerio L, Marini F, Bongiorno G, Facchinelli L, Pombi M, Caputo B, Maroli M, Della Torre A.
(2009).
Host-feeding patterns of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in urban and rural contexts within Rome province, Italy.
Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 10(3), 291-294.
https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2009.0007 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Aedes / physiology
- Animals
- Blood Chemical Analysis
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Feeding Behavior / physiology
- Female
- Host-Parasite Interactions / physiology
- Humans
- Insect Vectors / physiology
- Rome
- Rural Population
- Urban Population
Citations
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