Microorganism-Based Larval Diets Affect Mosquito Development, Size and Nutritional Reserves in the Yellow Fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Conclusion: Together, our results point that Ae. aegypti larvae show high plasticity to feed, being able to develop under different microorganism-based diets. The important role of Ae. aegypti in the spread of infectious diseases requires further biological studies in order to understand the vector physiology and thus to manage the larval natural breeding sites aiming a better mosquito control. Introduction Mosquitoes are medically the most significant group of insects due to their important role in the widespread of several human infectious diseases including malaria, dengue fever, encephalitis, yellow fever and filariasis (Weaver and Reisen, 2010). The global magnitude of morbidity and mortality caused by arthropod-borne diseases has been a public health emergency of international concern. Early stages of mosquito development are related to aquatic environments, thus understanding the ecological factors involved in the aquatic habitats is essential in order to develop and improve effective strategies of mosquito control. The biotic and abiotic environmental conditions experienced during the immature stage are determinant for the growth and development of mosquitoes. A considerable number of studies in the early 20th century devoted attention to investigating the food requirements of larvae in order to reduce or eliminate the nutritional supply of these insects in nature (Hinman, 1930). Studies on holometabolous insects suggest that well-nourished larvae become heal...
Source: Frontiers in Physiology - Category: Physiology Source Type: research