Chikungunya Virus Infection and Gonotrophic Cycle Shape Aedes aegypti Oviposition Behavior and Preferences

Abstract

Targeting gravid females through chemical lures is a promising strategy in vector control; however, it requires the understanding of the factors susceptible to alter female oviposition behavior. Here, we evaluated the effect of infection with chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and the number of gonotrophic cycles (GCs) on oviposition activity in A. aegypti. Dual choice oviposition assays were performed, where dodecanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, n-heneicosane and a Sargasssum fluitans (Børgesen) Børgesen extract were tested in uninfected females and females infected with CHIKV, at the 1st and 2nd GC. Infected females displayed a lower percentage of oviposition and a higher number of eggs laid at the 1st GC. Then, the combined effects of GC and CHIKV were observed on oviposition preferences, with a chemical-dependent effect. For instance, the deterrent effect of n-heneicosane and pentadecanoic acid increased at the 2nd GC in infected females. These results allow for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in oviposition site selection and highlight the need for taking into account physiological stage changes to increase the control programs’ efficacy.

Chikungunya intra-vector dynamics in Aedes albopictus from Lyon (France) upon exposure to a human viremia-like dose range reveals vector barrier’s permissiveness and supports local epidemic potential

“…albopictus tendency to take several consecutive blood meals. Indeed, virus dissemination increases with gonotrophic cycles and that successive bloodmeals are associated with a shortened EIP (Delatte et al, 2010;Armstrong et al, 2019;Fikrig & Harrington, 2021;Mulatier et al, 2023). Although those limitations could modulate the explosiveness of the outbreak and could be improved, our data support that CHIKV transmission potential of local Ae.…”