Odor-Mediated Behavior of Afrotropical Malaria Mosquitoes

Abstract

The African mosquito species Anopheles gambiae sensu lato s.l. and Anopheles funestus rank among the world's most efficient vectors of human malaria. Their unique bionomics, particularly their anthropophilic, endophagic and endophilic characters, guarantee a strong mosquito-host interaction, favorable to malaria transmission. Olfactory cues govern the various behaviors of female mosquitoes and here we review the role of semiochemicals in the life history of African malaria vectors. Recent evidence points towards the existence of human-specific kairomones affecting host-seeking A. gambiae s.l., and efforts are under way to identify the volatiles mediating this behavior. Based on examples from other Culicidae spp., it is argued that there is good reason to assume that mating, sugar feeding, and oviposition behavior in Afrotropical malaria vectors may also be mediated by semiochemicals. It is foreseen that increased knowledge of odor-mediated behaviors will be applied in the development of novel sampling techniques and possibly alternative methods of intervention to control malaria.

Behavioural responses to human skin extracts and antennal phenotypes of sylvatic first filial generation and long rearing laboratory colony Rhodnius prolixus

“…2). These results emphasised the idea that the biting behaviour of R. prolixus, similarly to Anopheles gambiae (Takken & Knols 1999, Enserink 2002, Verhulst et al 2009), is not a random process and is clearly influenced by the bacteria present on the skin. The importance of the Rhodnius-bacteriahuman face interaction was confirmed here for Chagas disease transmission (Figs 2, 3).…”

Olfactory regulation of mosquito–host interactions

“…More recently, Mukabana et al (2004) reported allomonal activity of human breath, which would explain why differences in the quantity of expired CO 2 (Brady et al, 1997) would result in variation in human attractiveness. Other factors considered to cause variation in attractiveness between individuals are differences in skin composition and microbial flora on the human skin (Knols, 1996;Takken and Knols, 1999).…”

“…Indeed, the chemical ecology of mosquitoes is now widely recognized as one area of investigation on which future control strategies may depend. Host seeking and feeding behaviors are much affected by host odors, and many mosquito species use olfaction for oviposition (Takken and Knols, 1999). It is not known, though, whether mating is also mediated by smell, although there is indirect evidence that for at least a few species an olfactory component is involved in mating.…”

“…Major reviews by Bowen (1991), Takken (1991), Foster (1995), Gibson and Torr (1999) and Takken and Knols (1999) cover the subject in detail, including electrophysiological work, volatiles affecting males and female host seeking. Some of this work includes studies on important vectors such as the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.), the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae Giles sensu stricto and the filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Say).…”

Applications of molecular modeling in the design of new insect repellents targeting the odorant binding protein of Anopheles gambiae

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The molecules in the cloud penetrate in their cuticular pores and are captured by the olfactory binding proteins (OBP). Next, these molecules are transported to the olfactory receptor neurons (ORN), located in the dendritic membranes at the antenna sensory bristles, driving the mosquito's attention to the potential meal.…”