Aedes aegypti mosquitoes exhibit decreased repellency by DEET following previous exposure
Autor(es): Stanczyk, Nina M.; Brookfield, John F. Y.; Field, Linda M.; Logan, James G.
Resumo: DEET (N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide) is one of the most widely used mosquito repellents. Although DEET has been shown to be extremely effective, recent studies have revealed that certain individual insects are unaffected by its presence. A genetic basis for this has been shown in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, but, for the triatomine bug, Rhodnius prolixus, a decrease in response to DEET occurred shortly after previous exposure, indicating that non-genetic factors may also be involved in DEET "insensitivity". In this study, we examined host-seeking behaviour and electrophysiological responses of A. aegypti after pre-exposure to DEET. We found that three hours after pre-exposure the mosquitoes showed behavioural insensitivity, and electroantennography revealed this correlated with the olfactory receptor neurons responding less to DEET. The change in behaviour as a result of pre-exposure to DEET has implications for the use of repellents and the ability of mosquitoes to overcome them.
Palavras-Chave: Rhodnius - Prolixus stal; Blood 1st Evidence; Drosophila - Melanogaster; Culex -Quinquefasciatus; Laboratory conditions; Bloodsucking insect; Host preference; Parasitic wasp; Vectors; Diptera
Imprenta: Plos One, v. 8, n. 2, 2013
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054438
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Repellent
Data de publicação: 2013
