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Home / Equine Research Bank / Med Vet Entomol / Host-mosquito interactions in rural and urban equestrian fac...
Medical and veterinary entomology2023; 37(4); 816-825; doi: 10.1111/mve.12686

Host-mosquito interactions in rural and urban equestrian facilities from temperate Argentina.

Abstract: Targeted vector surveillance informed by data on mosquito biting patterns can help limit arboviral zoonotic diseases. To characterise host-biting networks in rural and urban equestrian facilities from temperate Argentina, adult resting mosquitoes were collected (December 2018-April 2019) with a battery-powered aspirator. Engorged females were sorted to species, and their blood source was identified using molecular techniques. Bipartite network analysis was performed for rural and urban matrices. A total of 177 bloodmeals from 11 mosquito species of Aedes and Culex were identified, with seven mammal and 17 bird species recognised as hosts. Mammals represented 61% of the total feeds, mainly horse, dog and sheep; the best represented avian hosts were Columbiformes. Aedes species and Culex maxi fed only on mammals, while most other Culex species presented a wide range of hosts. The rural network had more nodes and interactions than its urban counterpart, both with some degree of host selection and aggregated patterns according to network indices. Culex quinquefasciatus was the strongest species in both networks, whereas Culex apicinus and Culex dolosus had a prominent role in the rural network. Bipartite network analysis will contribute to understanding the effects of urbanisation in the dynamics of vector-borne diseases.
© 2023 Royal Entomological Society.
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Publication Date: 2023-08-10 PubMed ID: 37565364DOI: 10.1111/mve.12686Google 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 study examines the patterns of mosquito biting of different host species in rural and urban riding stables in Argentina, with the aim of improving vector-based surveillance to limit the spread of arboviral zoonotic diseases.

Research Objectives

  • Researchers undertook a comprehensive study to understand the host-biting patterns of mosquito species in rural and urban equestrian facilities in Argentina.
  • The findings would likely help refine targeted vector surveillance strategies aimed at controlling the spread of zoonotic diseases transmitted by arthropod vectors like mosquitoes.

Methodology

  • Between December 2018 and April 2019, scientists collected resting adult mosquitoes using a battery-powered aspirator from different equestrian facilities.
  • Engorged female mosquitoes, those that had recently fed, were classified by species. Their blood meal sources were then identified using molecular techniques.
  • Bipartite network analysis, which is a method used to explore complex interactions between different entities, was applied separately for both rural and urban site data.

Findings

  • A total of 177 blood meals from 11 mosquito species of the Aedes and Culex genera were identified. The mosquitoes fed on seven different mammal species and 17 bird species.
  • Mammals accounted for 61% of the total feeds, primarily horses, dogs, and sheep, while the avian hosts were predominantly Columbiformes (pigeon family).
  • Certain species like Aedes and Culex maxi fed exclusively on mammals, but the majority of Culex species fed on a wide range of hosts.
  • The rural network exhibited a greater diversity of interactions and nodes (individual participants in a network), than its urban equivalent, although both exhibited some degree of host selection and aggregated patterns.
  • The most prevalent mosquito species in both networks was Culex quinquefasciatus, with Culex apicinus and Culex dolosus also playing significant roles in the rural network.

Conclusions

  • This research offers valuable insights into mosquito-host interactions in both urban and rural settings and helps illustrate the complexity of these relationships.
  • The bipartite network analysis can offer a path to better understand the effects of urbanization on the dynamics of vector-borne diseases, and therefore inform more effective intervention strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Cardo MV, Vezzani D. (2023). Host-mosquito interactions in rural and urban equestrian facilities from temperate Argentina. Med Vet Entomol, 37(4), 816-825. https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12686

Publication

Medical and veterinary entomology
ISSN: 1365-2915
NlmUniqueID: 8708682
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 4
Pages: 816-825

Researcher Affiliations

Cardo, María V
  • IIIA-UNSAM-CONICET, Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Escuela de Hábitat y Sostenibilidad, San Martín, Argentina.
  • Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Vezzani, Darío
  • Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Instituto Multidisciplinario sobre Ecosistemas y Desarrollo Sustentable, UNCPBA-CICPBA, Tandil, Argentina.

MeSH Terms

  • Female
  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Dogs
  • Sheep
  • Argentina
  • Mosquito Vectors
  • Culex
  • Aedes
  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Feeding Behavior

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