Advances in mosquito olfaction: Genetic, genomic, and behavioral approaches in Aedes aegypti

Mosquito behavior has long been studied because of its importance in the spread of human disease. More recently, mosquitoes have emerged as a model for studying olfaction, given their exquisite ability to locate human hosts. Host seeking unfolds through a series of behavioral phases, including activation, flight, landing, blood feeding, and oviposition, making it well suited for study across multiple levels. In this review, we focus on methodological advances that have shaped the study of mosquito host-seeking behavior, with a focus on the Yellow Fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. We highlight three major areas of progress: (1) the development of behavioral platforms, including camera-based and automated tracking systems, to quantify distinct phases of behavior, (2) advances in genomic and transcriptomic resources that support molecular analysis of olfaction and behavior, and (3) the expansion of genetic tools for targeted manipulation and functional study of specific cell types and neural circuits. Insights from these studies enhance our understanding of a highly specialized olfactory system as well as serve as a basis for interventions against these deadly disease vectors.