Avian phenotypic traits related to feeding preferences in two Culex mosquitoes

Abstract

Host choice by mosquitoes affects the transmission dynamics of vector-borne infectious diseases. Although asymmetries in mosquito attraction to vertebrate species have been reported, the relative importance of host characteristics in mosquito blood-feeding behavior is still poorly studied. Here, we investigate the relationship between avian phenotypic traits-in particular, morphometry, plumage coloration, and nesting and roosting behavior-and the blood-feeding patterns in two common Culex mosquito species on a North American avian community. Forage ratios of the mosquito species were unrelated to the phylogenetic relationships among bird species. Culex pipiens fed preferably on birds with lighter-colored plumage and longer tarsi; furthermore, solitary roosting avian species were both bitten by Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans more often than expected. These associations may be explained by greater mosquito attraction towards larger birds with a greater color contrast against the background.Although communally roosting birds may release more cues and attract more mosquitoes, individuals may in fact receive fewer bites due to the encounter-dilution effect. Mosquito feeding behavior is a highly complex phenomenon, and our results may improve understanding of the non-random interaction between birds and mosquitoes in natural communities.

Flaviviruses in migratory passerines during spring stopover in a desert oasis

“…Knowing that the European golden oriole (62–79 g) is more than twice larger than the three studied warbler species (12–27 g), this result is consistent with the general tendency of positive association between seroprevalence rate and bird body size (Figuerola et al, ; Victoriano Llopis et al, ; Yan, Gangoso, Martinez‐de la Puente, Soriguer, & Figuerola, ). Larger body is often linked with larger areas of unfeathered parts, such as eye rings and tarsus, that are often targeted by blood‐sucking mosquitoes (Yan et al, ). Large species may also have a higher annual survival rate and run a greater number of seasons of exposure, thus potentially a population containing on average older individuals.…”

Effects of host sex, body mass and infection by avian Plasmodium on the biting rate of two mosquito species with different feeding preferences

“…In fact, body mass was a key variable explaining the prevalence of infection by the mosquito-borne pathogen West Nile virus in birds [57]. Further support for this possibility can be derived from the study by Yan et al [58], who found that Cx. pipiens fed more often on birds with longer tarsus, suggesting that larger areas of exposed skin are important for determining biting patterns.…”

Is Host Selection by Mosquitoes Driving Vector Specificity of Parasites? A Review on the Avian Malaria Model

“…Different studies have reported a positive relationship between the host body mass and the feeding rate of different blood-searching insect vector (Martínezde la Puente et al, 2010;Schönenberger et al, 2016). In addition, Yan et al (2017) found that Cx. pipiens fed more frequently on birds with a longer tarsus, suggesting that larger areas of exposed skin are important in determining feeding patterns.…”

“…First, larger hosts may receive more mosquito bites (Yan et al, 2017), probably due to (i) the higher amounts of cues (e.g., CO 2 ) released by larger individuals or (ii) the greater skin surface available for mosquito bite (Kleiber, 1947;Yan et al, 2017). Different studies have reported a positive relationship between the host body mass and the feeding rate of different blood-searching insect vector (Martínezde la Puente et al, 2010;Schönenberger et al, 2016).…”