Microsporidiosis (Microsporidia: Culicosporidae) alters blood-feeding responses and DEET repellency in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

J Med Entomol. 2007 Nov;44(6):1040-6. doi: 10.1603/0022-2585(2007)44[1040:mmcabr]2.0.co;2.

Abstract

Infection of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) with Edhazardia aedis (Microsporidia: Culicosporidae) reduced mean human host attraction and landing/probing rates in female mosquitoes by 53 and 62%, respectively, compared with rates in microsporidia-free females. Infection with E. aedis reduced the average weight of unfed female mosquitoes by 4%, caused them to imbibe 23% less blood, and to lay 30% fewer eggs than healthy females. In contrast, E. aedis-infected mosquitoes required 20% more time (>1 h) than healthy females to bite skin treated with 15% DEET. Statistically significant morbidity in E. aedis-infected females was indicated by reductions in host attraction and landing/probing responses, the mass of unfed and blood-engorged females, and fecundity, and by increased DEET repellency.

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / microbiology*
  • Animals
  • DEET / pharmacology*
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Insect Repellents / pharmacology*
  • Microsporidia / physiology*
  • Reproduction

Substances

  • Insect Repellents
  • DEET