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Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association2005; 21(2); 194-200; doi: 10.2987/8756-971X(2005)21[194:HPOSWN]2.0.CO;2

Host-feeding patterns of suspected West Nile virus mosquito vectors in Delaware, 2001-2002.

Abstract: Paucity of data on host-feeding patterns and behavior of 43 mosquito species that are reported as suspected West Nile virus (WN) vectors has limited full evaluation of their vectorial capacity. Recent studies addressing this issue need additional confirmation and should also be expanded to include collections of species or subpopulations attracted to humans. We used 4 types of collection methods to collect mosquitoes, including omnidirectional Fay-Prince traps, Centers for Disease Control-type light traps, gravid traps, and human-landing collections. Mosquitoes were collected during 2 full WN transmission seasons in 2001 and 2002, at 9 different sites across Delaware. We collected from various habitats, including salt marshes, brackish water areas, woodlands, a tire dump, a racetrack, and a mushroom farm. Blood-meal analyses were performed on parous mosquitoes by using a sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We tested primarily for 5 common host species, including rabbits, dogs, deer, horses, and chickens. We obtained substantial host-feeding data from 8 mosquito species. The most mammalophilic species were Anopheles quadrimaculatus, Coquillettidia perturbans, and Aedes albopictus, whereas the most ornithophilic species was Culex pipiens. Aedes albopictus was the most anthropophilic species, whereas Ae. vexans and Cq. perturbans exhibited relatively low attraction to humans. Culex salinarius was the species with the most diverse host-feeding activity. Based on feeding behavior, Cx. pipiens and Cx. salinarius appear to be the most likely bridge vectors. Other species may have opportunities to be bridge vectors under special circumstances, as discussed in the paper.
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Publication Date: 2005-07-22 PubMed ID: 16033122DOI: 10.2987/8756-971X(2005)21[194:HPOSWN]2.0.CO;2Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigated the feeding patterns of mosquito species suspected of transmitting the West Nile virus in Delaware, USA. The study was conducted over two years and employed various collection methods to gather mosquitoes from diverse habitats. The feeding habits of these species were analyzed, determining their preference towards specific host species and their potential roles as pathogen vectors.

Methodology

  • The researchers used four different methods to collect mosquitoes, namely, omnidirectional Fay-Prince traps, Centers for Disease Control-type light traps, gravid traps, and human-landing collections.
  • The study was carried out over two transmission seasons of the West Nile virus in 2001 and 2002.
  • Mosquitoes were collected from nine different sites throughout Delaware, from varied habitats such as salt marshes, brackish water regions, woodlands, a tire dump, a racetrack, and a mushroom farm.
  • The blood-meals of the mosquitoes were analyzed using a sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, primarily for five common host species: rabbits, dogs, deer, horses, and chickens.

Findings

  • Significant host-feeding data were gathered from eight mosquito species.
  • Anopheles quadrimaculatus, Coquillettidia perturbans, and Aedes albopictus were the species that showed a strong preference for mammalian hosts (mammalophilic).
  • Culex pipiens was identified as the most bird-preferred (ornithophilic) species.
  • Aedes albopictus was the most attracted to humans (anthropophilic), while Ae. vexans and Cq. perturbans showed relatively low attraction to humans.
  • Culex salinarius displayed the most diverse host-feeding activity among the studied species.

Implications

  • Based on feeding behavior, the researchers identified Culex pipiens and Culex salinarius as the most likely bridge vectors for West Nile virus, suggesting their role in disease transmission between different species.
  • The paper also discusses potential circumstances under which other species may serve as bridge vectors.
  • The findings help deepen our understanding of mosquito feeding habits, potentially aiding in predicting and disrupting disease transmission cycles.

Cite This Article

APA
Gingrich JB, Williams GM. (2005). Host-feeding patterns of suspected West Nile virus mosquito vectors in Delaware, 2001-2002. J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 21(2), 194-200. https://doi.org/10.2987/8756-971X(2005)21[194:HPOSWN]2.0.CO;2

Publication

Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association
ISSN: 8756-971X
NlmUniqueID: 8511299
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 2
Pages: 194-200

Researcher Affiliations

Gingrich, Jack B
  • Department of Entomology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
Williams, Gregory M

    MeSH Terms

    • Aedes / virology
    • Animals
    • Animals, Wild / parasitology
    • Animals, Wild / virology
    • Anopheles / virology
    • Birds / parasitology
    • Birds / virology
    • Culex / virology
    • Culicidae / virology
    • Delaware
    • Feeding Behavior
    • Horses / parasitology
    • Horses / virology
    • Insect Vectors / virology
    • Ochlerotatus / virology
    • West Nile Fever / transmission
    • West Nile Fever / virology
    • West Nile virus / physiology

    Citations

    This article has been cited 18 times.
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