| dc.description.abstract | Parasites have diverse impacts on the vector hosts they infect. This includes alterations to host behavior, survivorship, and fecundity. One group of parasites frequently consumed by mosquitoes are avian malaria parasites of the genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium. Prior literature suggests that Haemoproteus parasites decrease mosquito survivorship after being consumed and Plasmodium parasites alter the behavior of mosquitoes. Here we attempt to identify what effect these avian malaria parasites have on the survivorship and flight activity of Culex quinquefasciatus, an ornithophilic mosquito that is a primary vector West Nile virus in the United States. Cohorts of mosquitoes were exposed to Haemoproteus parasites through an artificial membrane, and exposed to Plasmodium relictum parasites via infected canaries. The survivorship of Haemoproteus-exposed mosquitoes and flight activity of Plasmodium-exposed mosquitoes was monitored. Additionally, the fecundity of multiple mosquitoes was monitored after being provided blood meals from commercially purchased chicken blood in Alsever’s solution (ART), blood from an exsanguinated chick treated with heparin (EXS), or a live chicken (LC). Mosquitoes exposed to Haemoproteus parasites had significantly decreased survivorship (p < 0.001) when compared to control mosquitoes. Mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium parasites had significantly increased spontaneous flight activity at peak activity hours when compared to control mosquitoes (p = 0.005), but did not have significantly increased total diel activity (p = 0.071). Culex quinquefasciatus (Sebring) had significant differences between blood source treatments, with mosquitoes that fed on LC having a 1.52-fold higher mean egg quantity laid than the ART treatment, and a 1.26-fold higher mean egg quantity laid than the EXS treatment. There was no significant difference in other mosquito species observed. Overall these results suggest that avian malaria parasites alter the biology of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes by decreasing their survivorship and increasing their spontaneous flight activity. Additionally, in the highly colonize Sebring strain of Cx. quinquefasciatus, blood source affects the fecundity of these mosquitoes. These results should be considered when examining vector-parasite dynamics and when attempting to colonize mosquito populations. | en |
