Zika virus does not alter locomotor activity of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

To investigate the effect of Zika virus on the locomotor activity of a Brazilian population of Aedes albopictus under laboratory conditions.

Females of Aedes albopictus were infected with Zika virus orally or by intrathoracic injection. The locomotor activity was monitored using a Drosophila activity monitor under controlled conditions of 25°C and a 12h light/dark cycle. The infection status was determined using reverse transcription followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Statistical analyses were conducted using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs).

The locomotor activities of Zika virus-infected and uninfected Aedes albopictus females were diurnal and bimodal, with peaks at lights on and off. The infection did not significantly alter the total activity, diurnal and nocturnal, or the light-on and light-off peaks of infected females compared with uninfected females, regardless of the method of infection (intrathoracic injection or orally).

This finding indicates that Zika virus infection does not affect the daily activity pattern of this species under laboratory conditions, which reinforces the importance of this species as a competent and adaptable vector in urban and rural areas, confirming the importance of ongoing surveillance and control strategies.