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Updated: May 10, 2026
Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
Published on: August 31, 2013
Aedes albopictus is not an arbovirus aficionado when feeding on cynomolgus macaques or squirrel monkeys
Hélène Cecilia1, Benjamin M Althouse1,2, Sasha R Azar3,4
1Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA.
Abstract:
Viruses transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes (e.g., dengue [DENV], Zika [ZIKV]) have demonstrated high potential to spill over from their ancestral, sylvatic cycles in non-human primates to establish transmission in humans. Epidemiological models require accurate knowledge of the contact structure between hosts and vectors, which is highly sensitive to any impacts of virus infection in mosquitoes or hosts on mosquito feeding behavior. Current evidence for whether these viruses affect vector behavior is mixed. Here we leveraged a study on sylvatic DENV-2 and ZIKV transmission between two species of monkey and Aedes albopictus to determine whether virus infection of either host or vector alters vector feeding behavior. Engorgement rates varied from 0% to 100%, but this was not driven by vector nor host infection, but rather by the individual host, host species, and host body temperature. This study highlights the importance of incorporating individual-level heterogeneity of vector biting in arbovirus transmission models.
Insights
Mosquito-borne viruses like dengue and Zika do not alter mosquito feeding behavior when infecting hosts or vectors. Individual host factors, not infection status, significantly influence mosquito engorgement rates.
Area of Science:
- Arbovirology
- Epidemiology
- Vector Biology
Background:
- Arboviruses such as dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) pose significant public health risks due to spillover from sylvatic cycles to human populations.
- Accurate epidemiological models depend on understanding host-vector contact rates, which can be influenced by virus-induced changes in vector behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether sylvatic dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) and Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in non-human primates or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes affects mosquito feeding behavior.
- To determine the factors driving variability in mosquito engorgement rates during host-vector interactions.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a study involving two monkey species and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes to assess DENV-2 and ZIKV transmission dynamics.
- Quantified mosquito engorgement rates and analyzed the influence of host and vector infection status, host species, and host body temperature.
Main Results:
- Engorgement rates in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes varied widely, ranging from 0% to 100%.
- Mosquito engorgement was not significantly affected by DENV-2 or ZIKV infection in either the vector or the host.
- Individual host characteristics, including host species and body temperature, were the primary drivers of differential mosquito feeding success.
Conclusions:
- Virus infection in hosts or vectors does not appear to alter Aedes albopictus feeding behavior in this sylvatic transmission model.
- Individual-level heterogeneity in host attractiveness and accessibility is a critical factor influencing vector biting rates.
- Future arbovirus transmission models should incorporate individual host variability to improve accuracy.
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