Attraction of Culex pipiens to uropygial gland secretions does not explain feeding preference for American robins

Journal of Vector Ecology : Journal of the Society for Vector Ecology
Mary C GarvinRebecca J Whelan

Abstract

Culex pipiens, the endemic mosquito vector of West Nile virus in eastern North America, is responsible for maintenance of the virus in avian reservoir hosts, the most important of which appears to be the American robin. One reason for the greater involvement of robins is believed to be the feeding preference of Cx. pipiens, however, the basis of this preference is not understood. We tested the hypothesis that the species-specific chemical profile of avian uropygial gland secretions are used by Cx. pipiens as cues to locate birds and, therefore, may contribute to the observed feeding preferences. We used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the semi-volatile components of the uropygial gland secretions of American robins and two other common reservoir host species, the house sparrow and European starling. We found that the chemical composition of the robin secretions was different from those of the sparrows and starlings. Through behavioral choice trials conducted in a dual-port olfactometer, we also found that Cx. pipiens did not prefer the secretions of robins over the other two species. Surprisingly, however, we found that Cx pipiens were more often attracted to live starlings over robins and to the secretions of ...Continue Reading

References

Sep 1, 1990·Journal of Medical Entomology·T W ScottJ D Edman
Feb 6, 1998·The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·C CostantiniM Coluzzi
Jun 6, 1998·Journal of Medical Entomology·K H PoseyC E Schreck
Aug 26, 1998·Molecular Ecology·R GriffithsR J Dawson
Apr 12, 2001·Journal of Medical Entomology·M J TurellJ W Jones
Jan 19, 2002·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·J F AndersonD R Mayo
Mar 17, 2004·Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases·Charles S AppersonThomas R Unnasch
Jul 10, 2004·Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·L J Zwiebel, W Takken
Jun 3, 2005·The Biochemical Journal·Richard M EpandRaquel F Epand
May 18, 2006·Emerging Infectious Diseases·Goudarz MolaeiCharles R Vossbrinck
Nov 20, 2009·PloS One·Jennifer E SimpsonMaria A Diuk-Wasser
May 4, 2010·Die Naturwissenschaften·Mathieu GiraudeauPhilipp Heeb
Aug 19, 2011·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Jennifer E SimpsonMaria A Diuk-Wasser
Aug 31, 2011·Infection, Genetics and Evolution : Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Genetics in Infectious Diseases·Ary FarajollahiA Marm Kilpatrick

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 16, 2019·Medical and Veterinary Entomology·A Díez-FernándezJ Figuerola
Mar 10, 2021·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Jiayue YanJosué Martínez-de la Puente

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.