Aedes Aegypti Populations Research Articles

Wolbachia strain wAlbB shows favourable characteristics for dengue control use in Aedes aegypti from Burkina Faso.

Dengue represents an increasing public health burden worldwide. In Africa, underreporting and misdiagnosis often mask its true epidemiology, and dengue is likely to be both more widespread than reported data suggest and increasing in incidence and distribution. Wolbachia-based dengue control is underway in Asia and the Americas but has not to date been deployed in Africa. Due to the genetic heterogeneity of African Aedes aegypti populations and the complexity of the host-symbiont interactions, characterization of key parameters of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes is paramount for determining the potential of the system as a control tool for dengue in Africa. The wAlbB Wolbachia strain was stably introduced into an African Ae. aegypti population by introgression, and showed high intracellular density in whole bodies and different mosquito tissues; high intracellular density was also maintained following larval rearing at high temperatures. No effect on the adult lifespan induced by Wolbachia presence was detected. Moreover, the ability of this strain to strongly inhibit DENV-2 dissemination and transmission in the host was also demonstrated in the African background. Our findings suggest the potential of harnessing Wolbachia for dengue control for African populations of Ae. aegypti.

Nonlinear Robust Adaptive Sliding Mode Control Strategies Involve a Fractional Ordered Approach to Reducing Dengue Vectors

This study presents an innovative approach by integrating adaptive sliding mode control strategies with fractional order modeling to address the challenge of reducing Aedes aegypti mosquito populations, the primary vector of Dengue - a widespread and debilitating disease. By employing the Atangana-Baleanu-Caputo fractional operator to model the dynamics of the mosquito population, we achieve a more precise representation of complex and non-linear behaviors. The motivation behind adopting the Adaptive Sliding Mode Control (ASMC) approach lies in the critical need to efficiently control Aedes aegypti mosquito populations, a key step in combating the prevalence of dengue. The ASMC method dynamically adjusts control parameters based on evolving conditions, enhancing its adaptability to the changing dynamics of mosquito populations.The Lyapunov stability theorem ensures the reliability of tracking convergence and control structure. Additionally, we implement the Toufik Atangana method to solve both state and adjoint fractional differential equations using the ABC derivative operator. This incorporation adds a novel dimension to the study, providing a comprehensive framework for addressing the intricate dynamics inherent in the Aedes aegypti mosquito population. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, a numerical performance index is introduced at the end of the abstract. This index justifies the controller’s efficacy by comparing it to other conventional controllers. The inclusion of this quantitative measure reinforces the significance of the proposed strategy in the context of dengue prevention and control efforts.

Widespread Resistance to Temephos in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Mexico.

Organic synthetic insecticides continue to be part of the arsenal for combating vector-borne diseases in Mexico. Larvicides are a fundamental part of the process in programs for mosquito control, temephos being one of the most widely used in Mexico. In the present study, we analyzed the frequency of temephos resistance in twenty-three Aedes aegypti populations using the discriminating concentration (DC) of 0.012 mg/L. We also tested 5× DC (0.6 mg/L) and 10× DC (0.12 mg/L) of temephos. The resistance distribution to temephos was interpolated to unsampled sites using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) method. The populations of Ae. aegypti showed a high frequency of resistance (1× DC) with mortality rates below 93% in 22 of the 23 populations analyzed. Moderate resistance intensity (5× DC) was found in 78% of the populations, and high intensity (10× DC) in 30%. Predicted mortality was below 60% in the populations of the Pacific Coast, along the Gulf of Mexico, and in the state of Coahuila in Northeastern Mexico in relation to 1× DC; the Pacific Coast and Northeast patterns hold for 5× and 10× DC. The results suggest the need for rotation of the larvicide to effectively control the larval populations of the vector in the country.

Microsatellite-based analysis reveals Aedes aegypti populations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia result from colonization by both the ancestral African and the global domestic forms.

The Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) mosquito is the main vector of dengue, chikungunya and Zika and is well established today all over the world. The species comprises two forms: the ancestral form found throughout Africa and a global domestic form that spread to the rest of the tropics and subtropics. In Saudi Arabia, A. aegypti has been known in the southwest since 1956, and previous genetic studies clustered A. aegypti from Saudi Arabia with the global domestic form. The purpose of this study was to assess the genetic structure of A. aegypti in Saudi Arabia and determine their geographic origin. Genetic data for 17 microsatellites were collected for A. aegypti ranging from the southwestern highlands of Saudi Arabia on the border of Yemen to the north-west in Madinah region as well as from Thailand and Uganda populations (as representatives of the ancestral African and global domestic forms, respectively). The low but significant level of genetic structuring in Saudi Arabia was consistent with long-distance dispersal capability possibly through road connectivity and human activities, that is, passive dispersal. There are two main genetic groupings in Saudi Arabia, one of which clusters with the Ugandan population and the other with the Thailand population with many Saudi Arabian individuals having mixed ancestry. The hypothesis of genetic admixture of the ancestral African and global domestic forms in Saudi Arabia was supported by approximate Bayesian computational analyses. The extent of admixture varied across Saudi Arabia. African ancestry was highest in the highland area of the Jazan region followed by the lowland Jazan and Sahil regions. Conversely, the western (Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah) and Najran populations corresponded to the global domesticated form. Given potential differences between the forms in transmission capability, ecology and behaviour, the findings here should be taken into account in vector control efforts in Saudi Arabia.

DENV-1 Titer Impacts Viral Blocking in wMel Aedes aegypti with Brazilian Genetic Background.

Several countries have been using Wolbachia deployments to replace highly competent native Aedes aegypti populations with Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes with lower susceptibility to arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. In Rio de Janeiro, Wolbachia deployments started in 2015 and still present a moderate introgression with a modest reduction in dengue cases in humans (38%). Here, we evaluated the vector competence of wild-type and wMel-infected Ae. aegypti with a Brazilian genetic background to investigate whether virus leakage could contribute to the observed outcomes in Brazil. We collected the specimens in three areas of Rio de Janeiro with distinct frequencies of mosquitoes with wMel strain and two areas with wild Ae. aegypti. The mosquitoes were orally exposed to two titers of DENV-1 and the saliva of DENV-1-infected Ae. aegypti was microinjected into wMel-free mosquitoes to check their infectivity. When infected with the high DENV-1 titer, the presence of wMel did not avoid viral infection in mosquitoes' bodies and saliva but DENV-1-infected wMel mosquitoes produced lower viral loads than wMel-free mosquitoes. On the other hand, wMel mosquitoes infected with the low DENV-1 titer were less susceptible to virus infection than wMel-free mosquitoes, although once infected, wMel and wMel-free mosquitoes exhibited similar viral loads in the body and the saliva. Our results showed viral leakage in 60% of the saliva of wMel mosquitoes with Brazilian background; thus, sustained surveillance is imperative to monitor the presence of other circulating DENV-1 strains capable of overcoming the Wolbachia blocking phenotype, enabling timely implementation of action plans.

Density of Aedes aegypti and dengue virus transmission risk in two municipalities of Northwestern Antioquia, Colombia.

The high infestation of Aedes aegypti populations in Urabá, Antioquia, Colombia represents a risk factor for increased dengue morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the risk of dengue transmission by estimating the population of Ae. aegypti using entomological indices, density of females per dwelling and inhabitant, and virological surveillance in two municipalities in Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted with quarterly entomological surveys in three neighborhoods of Apartadó and Turbo between 2021 and 2022. Aedes indices and vector density per dwelling and per inhabitant were calculated. The Kernel method was used for spatial analysis, and correlations between climatic variables and mosquito density were examined. Virus detection and serotyping in mosquitoes was performed using single-step reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The housing, reservoir, and Breteau indices were 48.9%, 29.5%, and 70.2%, respectively. The mean density of Ae. aegypti was 1.47 females / dwelling and 0.51 females / inhabitant. The overall visual analysis showed several critical points in the neighborhoods studied. There was significant correlation of vector density and relative humidity and precipitation in the neighborhoods 29 de noviembre and 24 de diciembre. Additionally, serotypes DENV-1 and DENV-2 were found. The overall indices for dwellings, reservoirs, and Breteau were lower than those recorded in 2014 in Urabá. The vector density results in this study were similar to those reported in other studies conducted in Latin America, and vector infection was detected. The Aedes and density indices are complementary, emphasizing the importance of continuous surveillance of Ae. aegypti to inform appropriate control strategies and prevent future dengue outbreaks in these municipalities.

A multiplexed, confinable CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive can propagate in caged Aedes aegypti populations

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of several major pathogens including dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. Classical mosquito control strategies utilizing insecticides are threatened by rising resistance. This has stimulated interest in new genetic systems such as gene drivesHere, we test the regulatory sequences from the Ae. aegypti benign gonial cell neoplasm (bgcn) homolog to express Cas9 and a separate multiplexing sgRNA-expressing cassette inserted into the Ae. aegypti kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (kmo) gene. When combined, these two elements provide highly effective germline cutting at the kmo locus and act as a gene drive. Our target genetic element drives through a cage trial population such that carrier frequency of the element increases from 50% to up to 89% of the population despite significant fitness costs to kmo insertions. Deep sequencing suggests that the multiplexing design could mitigate resistance allele formation in our gene drive system.

Analysis Resistance of Malathion and Cypermethrin Insecticide on Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) from Kaliwungu Kudus and Kotagede Yogyakarta Using CDC Bottle Bioassay

Aedes aegypti is a primary vector of Dengue infection and is frequently found near to human dwellings. Indonesia is a tropical country with environmentally suitable for mosquito breeding. Insecticides are commonly used to control mosquito population, however long and continuous use it will create resistance. This study aimed to determine the resistance of Aedes aegypti populations from Kaliwungu District, Kudus Regency and Kotagede District, Yogyakarta City to malathion and cypermethrin using CDC Bottle Bioassay. Ovitraps were placed in 50 houses of each location, and the eggs were brought to the laboratory for rearing until adulthood. Fifteen of female mosquitoes were used as test for each concentration of malathion and cypermethrin. Results showed that Ae. aegypti mosquitoes from Kaliwungu and Kotagede were resistant to malathion at the diagnostic dose of 1x. However, at the 2x diagnostic test, mosquito from Kaliwungu showed tolerant, while mosquito from Kotagede was susceptible to malathion. The cypermethrin test showed that both mosquito samples were resistant and susceptible at the diagnostic dose of 2x and 5x respectively.

Unraveling the Molecular Basis of Stabilizing Selection by Experimental Evolution.

Stabilizing selection provides a challenge to molecular population genetics. Although stabilizing selection is ubiquitous, its genomic signature is difficult to distinguish from demographic signals. Experimental evolution provides a promising approach to characterize genomic regions exposed to stabilizing selection. A recent experimental evolution study of Aedes aegypti populations evolving either with or without sexual selection found a pattern of genetic differentiation suggestive of relaxed stabilizing selection. I argue that this study could not have detected the signal of relaxed stabilizing selection. I highlight why incorrect statistical methods resulted in a high number of false positive candidate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and discuss the fallacy of functional validation of candidate SNPs for polygenic traits by RNA-mediated knockdown.

Genetic structure and kdr mutations in Aedes aegypti populations along a road crossing the Amazon Forest in Amapá State, Brazil

Insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti poses a significant threat to disease control. One form of resistance, caused by kdr mutations in the NaV gene, hinders vector control efforts in Brazil. Despite genetic differences typically accumulating among isolated populations, this mosquito can actively and passively disperse through human transportation. Our study investigated the genetic structure and spread of kdr mutations in Ae. aegypti populations across six localities in Amapá State, Brazil, within the Amazonian Forest. Using 12 microsatellite loci and qPCR methods, we assessed genetic structure and identified three common kdr mutations (V410L, V1016I, and F1534C). High prevalence of kdr alleles was observed in all localities, indicating widespread distribution in Amapá State. Microsatellite analysis revealed differentiation among mosquito populations, dividing them into two distinct clusters supported by Bayesian and DAPC analyses. Oiapoque, located along the northern border with French Guiana, exhibited the highest kdr frequencies and genetic differentiation compared to other localities. Our findings suggest genetic structure in Ae. aegypti populations in Amapá State, with some passive gene flow between clusters. The study underscores the need for continuous surveillance of Ae. aegypti populations to monitor the spread of insecticide resistance and inform effective vector control strategies.

Distribution of Voltage-gated Sodium Channel Mutations in Aedes Aegypti Populations from Rural Areas of Indonesia

Introduction: Semarang has been one of the endemic districts; since 2017, it has contributed to high dengue cases in Central Java. The study was conducted to see the mutation in the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel (VGSC) Aedes aegypti genera. Materials and Methods: Aedes aegypti from 6 sub-districts in Semarang were examined, where each sub-district was taken from 2-3 villages endemic areas with high fogging intensity in Semarang. Ten larvae samples were taken from each village. Results and Discussion: The results showed that the resistant samples were 48.4% heterozygous and 51.6% homozygous resistant from Bawen, 100% heterozygous resistant from Bandungan, 73.3% heterozygous and 26.7% homozygous resistant from West Ungaran, 65% heterozygous and 35% homozygous resistant from Sumowono, 23.3% heterozygous and 66.7% homozygous resistant, and 10% still susceptible from Ambarawa, and 30% heterozygous and 70% homozygous resistant from East Ungaran districts. Conclusion: Based on the results of the molecular test, the Ae. Aegypti in Semarang Regency has proven resistance to the pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin.

Wolbachia-mediated resistance to Zika virus infection in Aedes aegypti is dominated by diverse transcriptional regulation and weak evolutionary pressures.

A promising candidate for arbovirus control and prevention relies on replacing arbovirus-susceptible Aedes aegypti populations with mosquitoes that have been colonized by the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia and thus have a reduced capacity to transmit arboviruses. This reduced capacity to transmit arboviruses is mediated through a phenomenon referred to as pathogen blocking. Pathogen blocking has primarily been proposed as a tool to control dengue virus (DENV) transmission, however it works against a range of viruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV). Despite years of research, the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogen blocking still need to be better understood. Here, we used RNA-seq to characterize mosquito gene transcription dynamics in Ae. aegypti infected with the wMel strain of Wolbachia that are being released by the World Mosquito Program in Medellín, Colombia. Comparative analyses using ZIKV-infected, uninfected tissues, and mosquitoes without Wolbachia revealed that the influence of wMel on mosquito gene transcription is multifactorial. Importantly, because Wolbachia limits, but does not completely prevent, replication of ZIKV and other viruses in coinfected mosquitoes, there is a possibility that these viruses could evolve resistance to pathogen blocking. Therefore, to understand the influence of Wolbachia on within-host ZIKV evolution, we characterized the genetic diversity of molecularly barcoded ZIKV virus populations replicating in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes and found that within-host ZIKV evolution was subject to weak purifying selection and, unexpectedly, loose anatomical bottlenecks in the presence and absence of Wolbachia. Together, these findings suggest that there is no clear transcriptional profile associated with Wolbachia-mediated ZIKV restriction, and that there is no evidence for ZIKV escape from this restriction in our system.

Randomized detection of kdr allele frequencies in wild populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae) in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the most affected countries in South Asia by dengue fever, with the number of dengue cases increasing over the last five years. The main strategy for managing disease outbreaks is to reduce infected vector populations with pyrethroid insecticides. However, extensive pyrethroid exposure has resulted in an increase in the selection of knockdown resistance mutations in Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera, Culicidae) voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene that confer pyrethroid resistance. Colombo district records the highest dengue incidence across the country each year, thus a failed vector control program will be a major threat to public health. Multiplexed Allele-specific PCR was used to genotype kdr alleles in wild Ae. aegypti mosquitoes obtained via random sampling from Wellawatte, Borella, and Battaramulla areas in the Colombo district. This study presents the co-occurrence of F1534C and V1016G kdr mutations from a randomized population in the Colombo district. 1534C mutant allele was predominant (with a 56.7% frequency) and 1016G was prevalent in 32.5 per cent of the population. The heterozygous mutant 1016VG genotype showed the highest distribution (with a 65% frequency) and the incidence of 1534FC was 56.7 per cent. Interestingly, 1016GG was completely absent and the FC/VG mutation combination had the highest incidence with 46.7 per cent. Furthermore, 82.36 per cent of individuals with the 1534FC genotype also had the 1016VG genotype, indicating a high prevalence of pyrethroid resistance in the studied population.

Genetic diversity and wing geometric morphometrics among four populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Benin

BackgroundThe impact of the arbovirus vector Aedes aegypti is of major concern for global public health as the viruses that it transmits affect millions of people each year worldwide. Originating in Africa, Ae. aegypti has now spread throughout much of the world. While the genetic makeup of Ae. aegypti in the New World has been extensively studied, there is limited knowledge on its genetic diversity in Africa, particularly at a microgeographical level.MethodsWe investigated mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I of four Ae. aegypti populations from Benin and employed wing morphometric analyses as a cost-effective and reliable tool to explore population structure. Our sampling encompassed various areas of Benin, from the southern to the northern borders of the country, and included urban, semi-urban, and sylvatic sites.ResultsWe observed a notable level of genetic diversity (haplotype diversity of 0.8333) and nucleotide diversity (0.00421986), and identified seven distinct haplotypes. Sylvatic and semi-urban sites exhibited a greater number of haplotypes compared to urban sites. Utilizing 18 wing landmarks, we calculated the centroid size, which revealed significant variation among the three landscape types. However, principal component analysis, employed to assess wing shape variation, did not demonstrate significant differences between populations based on landscape type.ConclusionsOur findings indicate substantial genetic and morphological diversity among Ae. aegypti populations in Benin, and provide insight into important biological characteristics of these populations with respect to their potential to transmit viruses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study undertaken in Africa to integrate genetics with morphology to analyse the population structure of the major arbovirus vector Ae. aegypti.Graphical

Metagenomic analysis of coastal Kenya female Aedes aegypti mosquito RNA metaviromes reveal presence of diverse insect specific viruses

Background: Coastal Kenya has experienced repeated outbreaks of Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Dengue (DENV) viruses mediated by competent Aedes aegypti mosquito populations. These mosquitoes harbor insect specific viruses (ISVs), some of which can prevent arboviral transmission. However, there has been no systematic molecular entomological surveillance in coastal Kenya and the diversity of viruses in local Aedes aegypti populations remains largely unknown. Methods: To obtain a snapshot of the Aedes aegypti viromes from coastal Kenya, we took advantage of a cross-sectional survey of mosquitoes to determine the prevalence of Zika virus. We collected adult mosquitoes using lured Biogent’s sentinel traps at 16 different localities along the Kenyan coast between May to September 2017. Pools of 20 female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were generated following grouping by morphological characteristics. Presence of arboviruses in the mosquito pools was determined using virus-specific and genera-specific primers with real-time PCR. Metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) on Illumina Miseq and analysis was used to characterize the virome. Results: A total of 16,520 female Aedes aegypti grouped into 826 pools were analysed. Flaviviruses were detected in 69/826 (8.4%) pools by real time PCR. Sequencing generated 8,459/971,754 (0.87%) clean reads that were taxonomically assigned to 16 and 28 viral families and species, respectively. The family Phenuiviridae represented by Phasi Charoen-like phasivirus (PCLV) species was the most abundant, detected in 64/73 (87%) mosquito pools. No pathogenic viruses were identified by mNGS. Phylogenetic analysis revealed local PCLV and Cell fusing agent virus (CFAV) were distinct from global sequences. Conclusions: Our data provides information about virus diversity and composition of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from coastal Kenya and contributes to the body of knowledge of the Aedes aegypti virome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide this information from this region.

WMel replacement of dengue-competent mosquitoes is robust to near-term climate change

Rising temperatures are impacting the range and prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases. A promising biocontrol technology replaces wild mosquitoes with those carrying the virus-blocking Wolbachia bacterium. Because the most widely used strain, wMel, is adversely affected by heat stress, we examined how global warming may influence wMel-based replacement. We simulated interventions in two locations with successful field trials using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 climate projections and historical temperature records, integrating empirical data on wMel’s thermal sensitivity into a model of Aedes aegypti population dynamics to evaluate introgression and persistence over one year. We show that in Cairns, Australia, climatic futures necessitate operational adaptations for heatwaves exceeding two weeks. In Nha Trang, Vietnam, projected heatwaves of three weeks and longer eliminate wMel under the most stringent assumptions of that symbiont’s thermal limits. We conclude that this technology is generally robust to near-term (2030s) climate change. Accelerated warming may challenge this in the 2050s and beyond.

Genetic differentiation among Aedes aegypti populations from different eco-geographical zones of India.

The present study explicitly evaluated the genetic structure of Aedes aegypti Linn, the vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, across different geo-climatic zones of India and also elucidated the impact of ecological and topographic factors. After data quality checks and removal of samples with excess null alleles, the final analysis was performed on 589 individual samples using 10 microsatellite markers. Overall findings of this study suggested that, Ae. aegypti populations are highly diverse with moderate genetic differentiation between them. Around half of the populations (13 out of 22) formed two genetic clusters roughly associated with geographical regions. The remaining nine populations shared genetic ancestries with either one or both of the clusters. A significant relationship between genetic and geographic distance was observed, indicating isolation by distance. However, spatial autocorrelation analysis predicted the signs of long-distance admixture. Post-hoc environmental association analysis showed that 52.7% of genetic variations were explained by a combination of climatic and topographic factors, with latitude and temperature being the best predictors. This study indicated that though overall genetic differentiation among Ae. aegypti populations across India is moderate (Fst = 0.099), the differences between the populations are developing due to the factors associated with geographic locations. This study improves the understanding of the Ae. aegypti population structure in India that may assist in predicting mosquito movements across the geo-climatic zones, enabling effective control strategies and assessing the risk of disease transmission.

Exploring the impact of temperature on the efficacy of replacing a wild Aedes aegypti population by a Wolbachia-carrying one

A non-autonomous time-delayed differential system, with time-varying delay, is proposed to reproduce the competitive dynamics of Wolbachia-infected and non-infected mosquito populations in several scenarios that differ by daily environmental temperature, the bacterial strain carried by the mosquito, and the guidelines for release of infected mosquitoes. Both mosquito entomological parameters and infection traits depend on temperature, which per se depends on time. Therefore, inspired by the literature on insect populations, functional forms are proposed to describe the rates of birth, development, and survival (or mortality) of Ae. aegypti as a function of temperature, as well as the rate of Wolbachia-infection loss. Numerical results showed that: (i) multiple releases were more efficient than a single one, (ii) when the mosquito population is high is the best time to implement the release of infected mosquitoes, (iii) strains that produce both high levels of cytoplasmic incompatibility and maternal inheritance boost the efficacy of the technique, and (iv) high temperature can jeopardize the efficacy of the technique.

Diols and sugar substitutes in attractive toxic sugar baits targeting Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes.

Around the world, mosquitoes continue to transmit disease-causing pathogens and develop resistance to insecticides. We previously discovered that a generally regarded as safe (GRAS) compound, 1,2-propanediol, reduces adult mosquito survivorship when ingested. In this study, we assess and compare 5 more chemically related compounds for mosquito lethality and 8 GRAS sugar substitutes to determine toxicity. We conducted a series of feeding assays to determine if ingesting the compounds influenced mosquito mean survivorship in locally collected lab-reared populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae, Linnaeus, 1762) and Aedes albopictus (Diptera, Culicidae, Skuse, 1894) mosquitoes. Our results indicate that 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, DL-dithiothreitol, acesulfame potassium, allulose, erythritol, sodium saccharin, stevia, and sucralose significantly reduced the mean survivorship of one or both species. Short-term trials with the most toxic compounds revealed that they could substantially affect survivorship after 24 h. We also found that there were different responses in the 2 species and that in several experimental conditions, male mosquitoes expired to a greater extent than female mosquitoes. These findings indicate that several of the compounds are toxic to mosquitoes. Further study is required to determine their effectiveness in attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSBs) as a potential component of population control strategies.

Genomic signatures of local adaptation in recent invasive Aedes aegypti populations in California

BackgroundRapid adaptation to new environments can facilitate species invasions and range expansions. Understanding the mechanisms of adaptation used by invasive disease vectors in new regions has key implications for mitigating the prevalence and spread of vector-borne disease, although they remain relatively unexplored.ResultsHere, we integrate whole-genome sequencing data from 96 Aedes aegypti mosquitoes collected from various sites in southern and central California with 25 annual topo-climate variables to investigate genome-wide signals of local adaptation among populations. Patterns of population structure, as inferred using principal components and admixture analysis, were consistent with three genetic clusters. Using various landscape genomics approaches, which all remove the confounding effects of shared ancestry on correlations between genetic and environmental variation, we identified 112 genes showing strong signals of local environmental adaptation associated with one or more topo-climate factors. Some of them have known effects in climate adaptation, such as heat-shock proteins, which shows selective sweep and recent positive selection acting on these genomic regions.ConclusionsOur results provide a genome wide perspective on the distribution of adaptive loci and lay the foundation for future work to understand how environmental adaptation in Ae. aegypti impacts the arboviral disease landscape and how such adaptation could help or hinder efforts at population control.