Molecular approaches for blood meal analysis and species identification of mosquitoes (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae) in rural locations in southern England, United Kingdom

Abstract

Thirty-four species of Culicidae are present in the UK, of which 15 have been implicated as potential vectors of arthropod-borne viruses such as West Nile virus. Identification of mosquito feeding preferences is paramount to the understanding of vector-host-pathogen interactions which, in turn, would assist in the control of disease outbreaks. Results are presented on the application of DNA barcoding for vertebrate species identification in blood-fed female mosquitoes in rural locations. Blood-fed females (n = 134) were collected in southern England from rural sites and identified based on morphological criteria. Blood meals from 59 specimens (44%) were identified as feeding on eight hosts: European rabbit, cow, human, barn swallow, dog, great tit, magpie and blackbird. Analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I mtDNA barcoding region and the internal transcribed spacer 2 rDNA region of the specimens morphologically identified as Anopheles maculipennis s.l. revealed the presence of An. atroparvus and An. messeae. A similar analysis of specimens morphologically identified as Culex pipiens/Cx. torrentium showed all specimens to be Cx. pipiens (typical form). This study demonstrates the importance of using molecular techniques to support species-level identification in blood-fed mosquitoes to maximize the information obtained in studies investigating host feeding patterns.

Emerging Threats to Animals in the United Kingdom by Arthropod-Borne Diseases

“…Some mosquito species that feed on multiple hosts can act as a "bridge" vector enabling transmission of a virus that normally replicates in birds being transmitted to humans and livestock. A number of previous studies have confirmed that mosquitoes feed on a range of livestock and wildlife (15)(16)(17)(18)(19). In the case of some mosquito species including Culiseta annulata and Anopheles messeae, they appear to feed exclusively on large ruminants.…”

A practical guide to DNA metabarcoding for entomological ecologists

“…Due to improvements in sequencing technology, the Illumina NovaSeq consistently detected more metazoan taxa from seawater samples than did the MiSeq with an equivalent sequencing depth (Singer et al ., ), but it is more expensive. We also note here that MiSeq sequencing and bioinformatics can be outsourced to commercial companies or dedicated laboratories at reasonable (and decreasing) cost (Brandon‐Mong et al ., ; Hernandez‐Triana et al ., ; Kerley et al ., ). Overall, we recommend that researchers start with the MiSeq platform as it is suitable for most DNA metabarcoding studies with respect to sequencing accuracy, output and cost.…”

Host-feeding Preference of Anopheles Species under Prolonged Use of Insecticide-treated Bed Nets in Kamuli District, Uganda: Implications for Vector Control

“…Although the study involved a small sample size, the results of the study give a clue on the prevailing vector-host-pathogen interactions in the area and hence may guide in planning disease outbreak control tools [2]. When resources allow, tests and analyses will be carried out on larger samples in the future.…”

“…Understanding of mosquito behaviour related to host feeding preference is important in understanding of vector-host-pathogen interacttions and can facilitate the design and consolidation of effective vector control interventions in an area [1][2][3][4]. Identification of the blood meal taken by the vector is the most objective method of identifying its natural blood sources [5,6].…”