Understanding host utilization by mosquitoes: determinants, challenges and future directions

Abstract

Mosquito host utilization is a key factor in the transmission of vector‐borne pathogens given that it greatly influences host–vector contact rates. Blood‐feeding patterns of mosquitoes are not random, as some mosquitoes feed on particular species and/or individuals more than expected by chance. Mosquitoes use a number of cues including visual, olfactory, acoustic, and thermal stimuli emitted by vertebrate hosts to locate and identify their blood meal sources. Thus, differences in the quality/intensity of the released cues may drive host selection by mosquitoes at both inter‐ and intra‐specific levels. Such patterns of host selection by mosquitoes in space and time can be structured by factors related to mosquitoes (e.g. innate host preference, behavioural plasticity), to hosts (e.g. emission of host‐seeking cues, host availability) or to both (e.g. pathogen infection). In this study, we review current evidence, from phenomena to mechanisms, of how these factors influence host utilization by mosquitoes. We also review the methodologies commonly used in this research field and identify the major challenges for future studies. To bridge the knowledge gaps, we propose improvements to strengthen traditional approaches and the use of a functional trait‐based approach to infer mosquito host utilization in natural communities.

Effects of antennal segments defects on blood-sucking behavior in Aedes albopictus

“…visual and thermal) also play a role in the host detection by mosquitoes[6]. Mosquitoes use their ultrasensitive olfactory system to capture these tiny chemical cues and identify the type of host they are feeding on[7, 8]. Therefore, research on the mosquito olfactory system will help to better understand its mechanism and develop green anti-mosquito products that interfere with its olfactory behavior.…”

Mosquito bites and stages specific antibody responses againstPlasmodium falciparumin southern Ghana

“…The higher exposure to mosquitoes in Simiw is likely due to the influence of environmental factors such as having large areas of stagnant water, which serves as mosquito breeding sites. Also, individuals from Obom are more urban and likely to protect themselves from mosquito bites [22,23]. The increased levels of IgG to gSG6-P1 in females at both study sites was surprising as it has previously been suggested that certain behavior of males, including staying outdoors after dark predisposes them to more frequent encounters with mosquitoes [24].…”

Aedes albopictus host odor preference does not drive observed variation in feeding patterns across field populations

“…Other mosquito species are host generalists, and exhibit little to no preference for particular host species or groups. Host preference plays a role in host contact rates, interacting with external factors, such as host availability, to influence feeding patterns in the field 1,4,5 . Feeding patterns, in turn, influence the probability of mosquito contact with infectious host reservoirs and onward transmission to susceptible hosts 6,7 .…”

“…Other mosquito species are host generalists, and exhibit little to no preference for particular host species or groups. Host preference plays a role in host contact rates, interacting with external factors, such as host availability, to influence feeding patterns in the field 1,4,5 . Feeding patterns, in turn, influence the probability of mosquito contact with infectious host reservoirs and onward transmission to susceptible hosts 6,7 .Despite the important role of host preference in pathogen transmission, this trait is not well characterized for the tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, a highly invasive nuisance species with the potential to transmit over twenty pathogens that infect a range of vertebrate host species 8,9 .…”