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

Autor(es): Barnard, Donald R.; Xue, Rui-D.; Rotstein, Margaret A.; Becnel, James J.


Resumo: 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.


Palavras-Chave: Fecundity; Repellents; Entomology; Public health; Feeding; Infection; Morbidity; Blood; DEET; Microsporidiosis; Edhazardia aedis; Diptera


Imprenta: Journal of Medical Entomology, v. 44, n. 6, p. 1040-1046, 2007.


Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Repellent ; Aedes aegypti - Public health


Data de publicação: 2007