Longitudinal Studies ofAedes aegypti(Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand and Puerto Rico: Blood Feeding Frequency

Abstract

We used a histologic technique to study multiple blood feeding in a single gonotrophic cycle by engorged Aedes aegypti (L.) that were collected weekly for 2 yr from houses in a rural village in Thailand (n = 1,891) and a residential section of San Juan, Puerto Rico (n = 1,675). Overall, mosquitoes from Thailand contained significantly more multiple meals (n = 1,300, 42% double meals, 5% triple meals) than mosquitoes collected in Puerto Rico (n = 1,156, 32% double meals, 2% triple meals). The portion of specimens for which frequency of feeding could not be determined was 31% at both sites. We estimated that on average Ae. aegypti take 0.76 and 0.63 human blood meals per day in Thailand and Puerto Rico, respectively. However, frequency of multiple feeding varied among houses and, in Puerto Rico, the neighborhoods from which mosquitoes were collected. In Thailand 65% of the mosquitoes fed twice on the same day, whereas in Puerto Rico 57% took multiple meals separated by> or = 1 d. At both sites, the majority of engorged specimens were collected inside houses (Thailand 86%, Puerto Rico 95%). The number of blood meals detected was independent of where mosquitoes were collected (inside versus outside of the house) at both sites and the time of day collections were made in Puerto Rico. Feeding rates were slightly higher for mosquitoes collected in the afternoon in Thailand. Temperatures were significantly higher and mosquitoes significantly smaller in Thailand than in Puerto Rico. At both sites female size was negatively associated with temperature. Rates of multiple feeding were associated positively with temperature and negatively with mosquito size in Thailand, but not in Puerto Rico. Multiple feeding during a single gonotrophic cycle is a regular part of Ae. aegypti biology, can vary geographically and under different climate conditions, and may be associated with variation in patterns of dengue virus transmission.

Climate and Non-Climate Drivers of Dengue Epidemics in Southern Coastal Ecuador

“…aegypti adult and immature abundance. 49,50 Air temperature also influences dengue virus replication in the mosquito, 15 with shorter extrinsic incubation periods at elevated temperatures.…”

Quantifying the added value of climate information in a spatio-temporal dengue model

“…The association of rainfall with mosquito bionomics is more complex, particularly because of the adaptation of Ae. aegypti to a domesticated niche, where the mosquitoes use manmade breeding sites, which confounds any increased availability of natural breeding sites created by rain (Padmanabha et al, 2010;Scott et al, 2000). Therefore, the association is very dependent on the local extent of man-made breeding sites.…”

Spatial Clustering of Aedes aegypti Related to Breeding Container Characteristics in Coastal Ecuador: Implications for Dengue Control

“…aegypti females. 4 This is for two reasons: first, female Ae. aegypti tend to live in close quarters with humans, feeding almost exclusively on human blood; and second, water-filled containers around households act as optimal habitat environments for immature Ae.…”

“…aegypti to develop. 4,5 Typical breeding containers include water tanks, metal drums, drinking water jugs, discarded plastic containers, and old tires that collect rainwater. 6 Infested containers tend to contain immatures for short periods of time, creating a temporally dynamic spatial pattern of adult mosquitoes.…”