Article
Behavioral Sciences
Annika Hinze, Jorgen Lantz, Sharon R. Hill, Rickard Ignell
Summary: Future anthropogenic climate change is predicted to impact sensory-driven behaviors. A versatile climate-controlled wind tunnel system was developed to study the effect of climate parameters on odor-mediated behaviors in insects. The combination of human foot odor and CO2 can enhance host-seeking behavior in mosquitoes, while CO2 alone does not trigger host-seeking behavior in female An. gambiae s. s. Future studies will investigate the effect of climate change on odor-mediated behavior in mosquitoes and other insects.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saumya Gupta, Adam J. Blake, Jeffrey A. Riffell
Summary: A new study reveals a distinct pattern of preference for human-associated olfactory cues that informs the selective behavior of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diego Giraldo, Stephanie Rankin-Turner, Abel Corver, Genevieve M. Tauxe, Anne L. Gao, Dorian M. Jackson, Limonty Simubali, Christopher Book, Jennifer C. Stevenson, Philip E. Thuma, Rajiv C. McCoy, Andrew Gordus, Monicah M. Mburu, Edgar Simulundu, Conor J. McMeniman
Summary: The African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae has a strong innate drive to seek out humans, particularly in the hours flanking midnight. Through multiple-choice preference assays, it has been determined that An. gambiae is attracted to arrayed visual targets warmed to human skin temperature, carbon dioxide emissions, and specific human body odors. Whole body odor profiles were found to be associated with certain volatile compounds, with higher attractiveness being associated with increased relative abundances of certain carboxylic acids and the skin microbe-generated methyl ketone acetoin. Overall, these findings highlight the critical role of human scent in guiding the behavior of An. gambiae and its selection of host, leading to heterogeneity in human biting risk.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Manuela Carnaghi, Steven R. Belmain, Richard J. Hopkins, Frances M. Hawkes
Summary: Research shows that visual, olfactory, and thermal sensory stimuli synergistically increase the landing response of Anopheles coluzzii females during host-seeking. Even in the absence of thermal or visual stimuli, as long as one is presented simultaneously with olfactory stimuli, the landing response can still be enhanced.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yinpeng Zhan, Diego Alonso San Alberto, Claire Rusch, Jeffrey A. Riffell, Craig Montell
Summary: Genetic perturbation using CRISPR-Cas9 revealed that vision-guided target attraction in mosquitoes depends on two highly related rhodopsins, Op1 and Op2.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adebayo Victor Akeju, Titus Adeniyi Olusi, Iyabo Adepeju Simon-Oke
Summary: Molecular identification and wing variation were studied among female An. Gambiae complex and An. funestus group mosquitoes in Ondo State, Nigeria. The study found morphological variations in the wing character and identified two types of wings in the An. Gambiae complex population. Molecular analysis revealed that An. gambiae s.s. represented the majority of the mosquito population, followed by An. arabiensis. Anopheles leesoni was the only member of the An. funestus group identified in the study area.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Trizah K. Milugo, David P. Tchouassi, Reginald A. Kavishe, Rhoel R. Dinglasan, Baldwyn Torto
Summary: Through experiments on Anopheles gambiae and Parthenium hysterophorus, it was found that root phytochemicals of the host plant can influence oviposition site selection by female mosquitoes, leading to a lower hatch rate and a potentially longer lifespan for larvae that hatch earlier.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
El Hadji Malick Ngom, Chiara Virgillito, Mattia Manica, Roberto Rosa, Verena Pichler, Noemi Sarleti, Isseu Kasse, Mawlouth Diallo, Alessandra della Torre, Ibrahima Dia, Beniamino Caputo
Summary: Mosquito-borne diseases are significant public health issues in Africa, requiring updated information on mosquito species and monitoring methods. A study in Senegal revealed changes in malaria and lymphatic filariasis vector species populations, emphasizing the importance of using different traps for accurate mosquito monitoring and interpretation of results.
Review
Parasitology
Iliano Coutinho-Abreu, Jeffrey A. Riffell, Omar S. Akbari
Summary: Female mosquitoes use chemical and physical cues like vision, smell, heat, and humidity to locate hosts. They detect body odors produced by skin bacteria through olfactory receptors. By integrating this information with temperature, humidity, and vision senses, mosquitoes are able to find hosts.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arnold S. Mmbando, Emmanuel W. Kaindoa, Halfan S. Ngowo, Johnson K. Swai, Nancy S. Matowo, Masoud Kilalangongono, Godfrey P. Lingamba, Joseph P. Mgando, Isaac H. Namango, Fredros O. Okumu, Luca Nelli
Summary: The study found a high degree of heterogeneity in the distribution of Anopheles mosquitoes biting or resting outside dwellings in three low-altitude villages in south-eastern Tanzania, influenced by various environmental and anthropogenic factors. Despite high densities of Anopheles mosquitoes outside dwellings, the proportion of non-human blood-meals and absence of malaria-infected mosquitoes suggest very low levels of outdoor malaria transmission in these villages after 12 months of nightly trapping.
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Francesco Baldini, Mafalda Viana
Summary: It is unclear how malaria mosquitoes in the Sahel region persist during the dry season and rebound quickly at the onset of rains. Recent research by Faiman and colleagues suggests that aestivation, a dormancy mechanism, is a major strategy for the mosquitoes' persistence and could be targeted for vector control.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jan E. Bello, Ring T. Carde
Summary: This study identified a mixture of compounds from human skin rubbings that attract female yellow fever mosquitoes to land on a human host. These newly discovered compounds fill a gap in our knowledge of the attraction mechanism of yellow fever mosquitoes and may lead to the development of new mosquito control strategies based on attractants.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Corine Ngufor, Renaud Govoetchan, Augustin Fongnikin, Corneille Hueha, Juniace Ahoga, Thomas Syme, Abel Agbevo, Abdoulaye Daleb, Graham Small, Derric Nimmo, John Bradley, Rock Aikpon, Laurent Iyikirenga, Razaki Osse, Filemon Tokponnon, Germain Gil Padonou
Summary: VECTRON (TM) T500 was found to be non-inferior to Fludora (R) Fusion in controlling pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors in central Benin. The insecticide showed prolonged residual efficacy on house walls and had high acceptability among homeowners. This community application provides improved and prolonged control of pyrethroid-resistant vectors and enhances our capacity to manage insecticide resistance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jewelna Akorli, Esinam Abla Akorli, Seraphim Naa Afoley Tetteh, Godwin Kwame Amlalo, Millicent Opoku, Rebecca Pwalia, Michelle Adimazoya, Dorcas Atibilla, Sellase Pi-Bansa, Joseph Chabi, Samuel Kweku Dadzie
Summary: A vertically transmitted microsporidian, Microsporidia MB, disrupting Plasmodium development in Anopheles arabiensis from Kenya, was reported in East Africa. This study indicates a possible widespread presence of the microsporidian among malaria vector species in West Africa, highlighting the need for further investigations into the symbiont's diversity across sub-Saharan Africa.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Peter A. Armbruster
Summary: An innovative isotopic labelling strategy reveals that malaria mosquitoes in the West-African Sahel region can survive in a dormant state during the prolonged dry season. These findings have implications for efforts to control malaria transmission in Africa.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Quentin Richard, Marc Choisy, Thierry Lefevre, Ramses Djidjou-Demasse
Summary: This paper studies an age-structured model containing three structural variables in the context of malaria transmission, analyzing the well-posedness of the model using integrated semigroups theory and discussing the existence of steady-states. The derivation of the basic reproduction number R-0 highlights the impact of structural variables on key epidemiological traits of the human-vector association. The theoretical results are supported by numerical simulations.
NONLINEAR ANALYSIS-REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Sebastien Boyer, Pierre-Olivier Maquart, Kalyan Chhuoy, Kimhuor Suor, Moeun Chhum, Kimly Heng, Sokkeang Leng, Didier Fontenille, Sebastien Marcombe
Summary: This study suggests that Bacillus thuringiensis ser. israelensis (Bti) can be considered as a serious alternative to the larvicide temephos for controlling Aedes aegypti larvae, and the carbamate adulticides propoxur and bendiocarb should be used instead of widely used pyrethroid insecticides for controlling adult Aedes aegypti on land under mosaic farming and crop rotation in Cambodia, as the insects have shown resistance to the latter type of insecticide. Research on insecticide resistance and innovative and effective vector control strategies should be prioritized in public health in Cambodia.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Thierry Lefevre, Nicolas Sauvion, Rodrigo P. P. Almeida, Florence Fournet, Haoues Alout
Summary: This review discusses the importance of vector management and highlights the impact of reducing or eliminating vector populations on ecosystem functioning. Using examples from various vector species, it emphasizes that changes in vector abundance alter biotic interactions and are unlikely to be neutral in terms of ecosystem functioning.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Harilanto Felana Andrianjakarivony, David Damiens, Lucie Marquereau, Benjamin Gaudillat, Nausicaa Habchi-Hanriot, Louis-Clement Gouagna
Summary: The potential interference of releasing millions of sterile male Aedes albopictus on the reproduction of female Aedes aegypti has been studied using a marking technique. The results showed that in small experimental cages, the mating rate between sterile male Aedes albopictus and female Aedes aegypti was very low, indicating that in the field, the frequency of heterospecific mating would be very low.
Article
Microbiology
Sophie Tissot, Anne-Lise Gerard, Justine Boutry, Antoine M. Dujon, Tracey Russel, Hannah Siddle, Aurelie Tasiemski, Jordan Meliani, Rodrigo Hamede, Benjamin Roche, Beata Ujvari, Frederic Thomas
Summary: Transmissible cancers are rare in the wild due to the specific conditions required for their emergence and spread. Further research is needed to identify the important factors that influence their occurrence and evolution.
Review
Agronomy
Jane A. S. Bonds, C. Matilda Collins, Louis-Clement Gouagna
Summary: The impact of vector control measures targeting Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus on non-target predators is likely to be negligible or limited.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Claire Sangbakembi-Ngounou, Carlo Costantini, Neil Michel Longo-Pendy, Carine Ngoagouni, Ousman Akone-Ella, Nil Rahola, Sylvie Cornelie, Pierre Kengne, Emmanuel Rivalyn Nakoune, Narcisse Patrice Komas, Diego Ayala
Summary: A study in Bangui, Central African Republic, found that there is a daily rhythmicity in the biting behavior of Anopheles mosquitoes, with a significant amount of indoor biting occurring during daytime. This rhythmicity could potentially limit the effectiveness of malaria control interventions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Elangwe M. Sarah-Matio, Emilie Guillochon, Sandrine E. Nsango, Luc Abate, Christelle M. Ngou, Gaelle A. Bouopda, Lionel B. Feufack-Donfack, Albert N. Bayibeki, Majoline Tchioffo Tsapi, Arthur Talman, Alejandro Marin-Menendez, Lawrence Ayong, Antoine Claessens, Thierry Lefevre, Antoine Berry, Isabelle Morlais
Summary: Malaria control heavily relies on passive case detection, which is unable to detect asymptomatic infections. This study used genotyping to reveal the genetic diversity and polymorphisms associated with antimalarial resistance in natural Plasmodium falciparum infections. The study identified higher genetic diversity in asymptomatic infections and found no genetic differentiation between parasites from asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. The findings also confirmed a return to chloroquine-sensitive parasites in Cameroon and suggested the persistence of low-density chloroquine-resistant parasites as a factor contributing to genetic diversity.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Douglas G. Paton, Alexandra S. Probst, Erica Ma, Kelsey L. Adams, W. Robert Shaw, Naresh Singh, Selina Bopp, Sarah K. Volkman, Domombele F. S. Hien, Prislaure S. L. Pare, Rakiswende S. Yerbanga, Abdoullaye Diabate, Roch K. Dabire, Thierry Lefevre, Dyann F. Wirth, Flaminia Catteruccia
Summary: The spread of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes and drug resistance in parasites has led to a resurgence of malaria worldwide. This study shows that treating Anopheles mosquitoes with antimalarial compounds can effectively block the transmission of Plasmodium parasites, even in populations with insecticide and drug resistance. This approach has the potential to complement current malaria control interventions and prevent the spread of drug-resistant parasites.
Article
Parasitology
Bernard Mouonniba Some, Dari F. Da, Ruth McCabe, Nicaise Denis C. Djegbe, Lawata Ines Geraldine Pare, Kadidia Werme, Karine Mouline, Thierry Lefevre, Anicet Georges Ouedraogo, Thomas S. Churcher, Roch Kounbobr Dabire
Summary: This study investigated the use of insecticide spray for killing mosquitoes and determining their species and infection status using NIRS technology. The results showed that insecticide spray can be a practical alternative to chloroform in NIRS analysis, with no loss of accuracy in identifying mosquito species and infection status.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ronan Brouazin, Iris Claudel, Renaud Lancelot, Guillaume Dupuy, Louis-Clement Gouagna, Marlene Dupraz, Thierry Baldet, Jeremy Bouyer
Summary: This study provides insights into monitoring Aedes populations in La Reunion and suggests using black plastic ovitraps placed in vacoa trees for effective detection. The ovitraps located in the tree canopy showed higher detection and apparent density for Ae. aegypti, while Ae. albopictus showed a preference for blotting paper as the oviposition surface.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iris Claudel, Ronan Brouazin, Renaud Lancelot, Louis-Clement Gouagna, Marlene Dupraz, Thierry Baldet, Jeremy Bouyer
Summary: This study aimed to identify the best trapping strategy for catching Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. The use of CO2 alone was found to increase the detection probability and apparent density of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. Traps with BG-Lure-alone or in combination with CO2 did not improve the detection probability. For male Ae. albopictus and female Ae. albopictus, neither CO2 nor BG-Lure had a significant effect on their trapping. The apparent densities of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were similar in both study sites.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Prisca S. L. Pare, Domonbabele F. D. S. Hien, Koama Bayili, Rakiswende S. Yerbanga, Anna Cohuet, David Carrasco, Edwige Guissou, Louis-Clement Gouagna, Koudraogo B. Yameogo, Abdoulaye Diabate, Rickard Ignell, Roch K. Dabire, Thierry Lefevre, Olivier Gnankine
Summary: This study aimed to assess the effect of plant sugar feeding on the response of Anopheles gambiae to insecticides. The findings suggest that plant diet significantly influenced mosquito's susceptibility to insecticides and the effects may be driven by a direct effect of plant diet on mosquito survival rather than indirect effects through interference with insecticide-resistance mechanisms.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Illich Manfred Mombo, Oceane Rieu, Matthieu Fritz, Larson Boundenga, Telstar Ndong Mebaley, Clark Mbou-Boutambe, Leadisaelle Hosanna Lenguiya, Gael Darren Maganga, Virginie Rougeron, Franck Prugnolle, Frederic Thomas, Eric M. Leroy
Summary: Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that infect various animals, including humans. This study aimed to detect coronaviruses in wild great apes and mandrills in Gabon. However, no coronaviruses were found in the fecal samples collected from 2009 to 2012. Further research is needed to investigate the presence of coronaviruses in these primates.