Plant nutrient quality impacts survival and reproductive fitness of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti

Abstract

Background In a recent study using DNA barcoding, we identified the plants fed upon by four Afro-tropical mosquito species that vector dengue, malaria, and Rift Valley fever. Herein, we have expanded on this study by investigating the role of three of the plants, Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae), Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae), and Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae), on the survival, fecundity, and egg viability of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Methods We tested these effects using females that received (i) an initial three rations of blood meals and (ii) no blood meal at all. Two controls were included: age-matched females fed on glucose solution with or without an initial blood meal and those fed exclusively on blood meals. Data were collected daily over a 30-day period. The amino acid contents of Ae. aegypti guts and their respective diets were detected by coupled liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results Females fed on P. dulce and an exclusively blood meal diet had a shorter survival than those fed on glucose. On the other hand, females fed on L. nepetifolia survived longer than those fed exclusively on blood meals, whereas those fed on O. ficus-indica had the shortest survival time. With an initial blood meal, females fed on L. nepetifolia laid 1.6-fold more eggs while those fed on the other diets laid fewer eggs compared to those fed exclusively on blood meals. Hatching rates of the eggs laid varied with the diet. Mass spectroscopic analysis of gut contents of mosquitoes exposed to the different diets showed qualitative and quantitative differences in their amino acid levels. Conclusion Our findings highlight the central role of plant nutrients in the reproductive fitness of dengue vectors, which may impact their disease transmission potential.

Odorant receptors for floral- and plant-derived volatiles in the yellow fever mosquito,Aedes aegypti(Diptera: Culicidae)

“…For mosquitoes, nectar foraging to obtain sugar meals is essential for survival. Individuals that can locate and access higher-quality nectar sources exhibit extended lifespans and increased fecundity [43, 57–58]. Therefore, exploring the molecular mechanisms driving selective preferences is imperative.…”

“…Remarkably, little is known about the shared behavior of nectar foraging between males and females, which is crucial for mosquito survival and reproductive fitness [42]. While preference between nectar sources has been documented in numerous mosquito species, the molecular and olfactory underpinnings are yet to be elucidated [43–45]. This behavior is of particular importance for disease control as characterizing the ORs that mediate it may provide vital information about potential nectar-seeking linked attractants that can be used in mosquito bait and kill (MBAK) or attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) systems [46–48].…”

Odorant receptors for floral- and plant-derived volatiles in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…aegypti and Anopheles gambiae (Giles 1902), are generally lacking, especially for larger sets of ORs. Remarkably, little is known about the shared behavior of nectar foraging between males and females, which is crucial for mosquito survival and reproductive fitness [ 47 ]. Mosquitoes inhabit a variety of ecological settings in which they must be able to adapt to local conditions to accurately respond to odors associated with flowers for nectar foraging.…”

Nectar Source and Pollinator Cross Contamination and Persistence of Pyriproxyfen Associated with the Use of Autodissemination Techniques for Mosquito Control

“…While this high level of efficacy is advantageous for autodissemination approaches, nontarget insects could come into contact with PPF if the mosquitoes deliver PPF to the exact locations where nontarget insects visit. Nontarget insects of particular concern include insect pollinators such as butterflies, flies, and bees, which visit the same nectar sources that male and female mosquitoes visit for nutrition (Nyasembe et al 2021). Therefore, there is a need to understand where and how much PPF is directly transferred to nectar sources and indirectly transferred to nontarget insect pollinators when using autodissemination approaches.…”