Abstract
BackgroundHost selection by mosquitoes plays a central role in the transmission of vector-borne infectious diseases. Although interspecific variation in mosquito attraction has often been reported, the mechanisms underlying intraspecific differences in hosts’ attractiveness to mosquitoes are still poorly known. Metabolic rate is related to several physiological parameters used as location cues by mosquitoes, and so potentially affect host-vector contact rates. Therefore, individual hosts with higher metabolic rates should be more attractive to host-seeking mosquitoes. Here, we experimentally investigated the role of bird metabolic rate in the feeding preferences of Culex pipiens (Linnaeus), a widespread mosquito vector of many pathogens affecting human and wildlife health.ResultsPasser domesticus (Linnaeus) pairs containing one bird treated with 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and the other injected with phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) (i.e. control) were simultaneously exposed overnight to mosquitoes. The treatment did not affect the proportion of mosquitoes biting on each individual. However, mosquito feeding preference was negatively associated with bird resting metabolic rate but positively with bird body mass. These two variables explained up to 62.76% of the variations in mosquito feeding preference.ConclusionsThe relationships between mosquito feeding preferences and individual host characteristics could be explained by enhanced anti-mosquito behaviour associated with higher metabolic rates. The potential role of cues emitted by hosts is also discussed. Thus, individuals with high metabolism may actively avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, despite releasing more attractant cues. Since metabolic rates can be related to individual differences in personality and life history traits, differences in mosquitoes’ feeding preferences may be related to intraspecific differences in exposure to vector-borne pathogens.
Highlights
Host selection by mosquitoes plays a central role in the transmission of vector-borne infectious diseases
Host selection by mosquitoes is recognized as a key factor affecting pathogen amplification and transmission risk since it drives host-vector contact rates [2, 3]
Yan et al Parasites & Vectors (2018) 11:110 are related to the activity and physiology of an individual [19]. This in turn is directly linked to the emission of Carbon dioxide (CO2), heat and humidity [20], which may enhance mosquito attraction [21]
Summary
Host selection by mosquitoes plays a central role in the transmission of vector-borne infectious diseases. Individual hosts with higher metabolic rates should be more attractive to hostseeking mosquitoes. Differential mosquito biting preferences have been reported at host interspecific level [3,4,5,6,7,8], and among individuals within species [9,10,11]. Yan et al Parasites & Vectors (2018) 11:110 are related to the activity and physiology of an individual [19] This in turn is directly linked to the emission of CO2, heat and humidity [20], which may enhance mosquito attraction [21]. Owing to the potential link with metabolic rate, BM may affect the emission of multiple host-seeking cues as well as the defensive behaviour, which may affect mosquito attraction. The likelihood of being bitten may depend on these attractant factors and on the host composition, that is, whether or not they are surrounded by more attractive and/or susceptible counterparts (i.e. the infection intensity by blood parasites) [15]
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