Mosquito-borne Diseases Research Articles

Serotype-Specific Epidemiological Patterns of Inapparent versus Symptomatic Primary Dengue Virus Infections: A 17-year cohort study in Nicaragua.

Dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease and a major public health problem worldwide. Most primary infections with the four dengue virus serotypes (DENV1-4) are inapparent; nonetheless, whether the distribution of symptomatic versus inapparent infections by serotype varies remains unknown. Here, we present (1) the evaluation of a multiplex DENV1-4 envelope domain III multiplex microsphere-based assay (EDIII-MMBA) to serotype inapparent primary infections and (2) its application leveraging 17 years of prospective sample collection from the Nicaraguan Pediatric Dengue Cohort Study (PDCS). First, we evaluated the performance of the EDIII-MMBA with samples characterized by RT-PCR or focus reduction neutralization test. Next, we analyzed 46% (N=574) of total inapparent primary DENV infections in the PDCS with the EDIII-MMBA to evaluate the epidemiology of inapparent infections. Remaining infections were inferred using stochastic imputation, taking year and neighborhood into account. Infection incidence and percentage of inapparent, symptomatic, and severe infections were analyzed by serotype. The EDIII-MMBA demonstrated excellent overall accuracy (100%, 95.8-100%) for serotyping symptomatic and inapparent primary DENV infections when evaluated against gold-standard serotyping methods. We found that a significant majority of primary infections were inapparent, with DENV3 exhibiting the highest likelihood of symptomatic and severe primary infections (Pooled OR compared to DENV1 = 2.13, 95% CI 1.28-3.56, and 6.75, 2.01-22.62, respectively), whereas DENV2 was similar to DENV1 in both analyses. Significant within- and between-year variation in serotype distribution between symptomatic and inapparent infections and circulation of serotypes undetected in symptomatic cases were observed in multiple years. Our study indicates that case surveillance skews the perceived epidemiological footprint of DENV. We reveal a more complex and intricate pattern of serotype distribution in inapparent infections. The significant differences in infection outcomes by serotype emphasizes the need for vaccines with balanced immunogenicity and efficacy across serotypes.

Leaf and Flower Extracts from the Dwarf Elder (Sambucus ebulus): Toxicity and Repellence against Cosmopolitan Mosquito-Borne Diseases Vectors.

As there has been no scientific evidence of the bioactivity of Sambucus ebulus (Adoxaceae) extracts against insects, we chemically characterized S. ebulus leaves and flowers extracted in methanol and water. The crude extracts, phenolic compounds, and amino acids isolated were tested as larvicides against the fourth-instar larvae of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae). To understand their mode of action, we evaluated the in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor effect of the crude extracts on the two mosquito larvae through a colorimetric method. Furthermore, the deterrent effect of the crude extracts against ovipositing Ae. albopictus females was assessed in the open field. Twelve phenylpropanoids and fourteen amino acids were detected in the extracts, with a prevalence of hydroxycinnamic acids and nonaromatic amino acids. The most toxic compound to Ae. albopictus larvae after 24 h was gallic acid, followed by the crude S. ebulus leaf extract; on Cx. pipiens, it was the crude flower extract. The AChE test showed higher inhibition on both mosquito species exerted by the leaf extract if compared to the flower extract, and it also deterred oviposition by Ae. albopictus females starting from the third day. The results indicated that vegetal extracts could effectively help in the integrated vector management of mosquitoes.

Mosquito suppression via Filippov incompatible insect technique

Mosquito-borne diseases persist as a global health challenge despite ongoing control efforts, necessitating the exploration of alternative control approaches. This research proposes a Filippov incompatible insect technique (IIT) model with a threshold policy control for suppressing mosquito population. The model implements biological and chemical control strategies only when wild mosquito density surpasses an economic threshold. The biological strategy involves releasing Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes, offering advantages such as a shortened lifespan and disease blocking. Simultaneously, moderate insecticide and larvicide spraying serve as a chemical approach to expedite the control process. The model provides economic advantages by minimizing control costs and environmental benefits through the integration of biological strategies, thus reducing reliance on chemicals. By employing Filippov's convex method, we identify necessary conditions for the existence of sliding segments and determine the dynamics of the switching line. Theoretical analysis reveals the model's long-term dynamics, including sliding bifurcations, pseudo-equilibria, and their stability. The model exhibits boundary equilibrium bifurcations and transcritical bifurcations in both free and controlled systems. Varying threshold values significantly impact the control outcomes effectiveness. The main findings demonstrate that integrated strategies efficiently decrease the population density of wild mosquitoes.

Immune correlates of protection of the four-segmented Rift Valley fever virus candidate vaccine in mice

ABSTRACT Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease caused by RVF virus (RVFV). RVFV infections in humans are usually asymptomatic or associated with mild febrile illness, although more severe cases of haemorrhagic disease and encephalitis with high mortality also occur. Currently, there are no licensed human vaccines available. The safety and efficacy of a genetically engineered four-segmented RVFV variant (hRVFV-4s) as a potential live-attenuated human vaccine has been tested successfully in mice, ruminants, and marmosets though the correlates of protection of this vaccine are still largely unknown. In the present study, we have assessed hRVFV-4s-induced humoral and cellular immunity in a mouse model of RVFV infection. Our results confirm that a single dose of hRVFV-4s is highly efficient in protecting naïve mice from developing severe disease following intraperitoneal challenge with a highly virulent RVFV strain and data show that virus neutralizing (VN) serum antibody titres in a prime-boost regimen are significantly higher compared to the single dose. Subsequently, VN antibodies from prime-boost-vaccinated recipients were shown to be protective when transferred to naïve mice. In addition, hRVFV-4s vaccination induced a significant virus-specific T cell response as shown by IFN-γ ELISpot assay, though these T cells did not provide significant protection upon passive transfer to naïve recipient mice. Collectively, this study highlights hRVFV-4s-induced VN antibodies as a major correlate of protection against lethal RVFV infection.

Global re-emergence of dengue fever: The need for a rapid response and surveillance

Dengue fever virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne virus mostly spread by Aedes aegypti. According to the World Health Organization, DENV is found primarily in urban and semiurban areas in tropical and subtropical climates globally, putting approximately half of the world's population at risk, where about 100–400 million cases of the disease occur annually. In 2023 alone, there were over five million cases of dengue fever reported in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. This is due to an ongoing outbreak of the disease potentiated by unanticipated spike in cases. It is crucial to understand DENV transmission patterns to manage public health effectively. Here, we provide an overview of the recent global outbreak of DENV and propose the integrated/coordinated health system (One Health) as a recommendation for effective prevention and control measure.

Bangladesh records persistently increased number of dengue deaths in recent years: Dissecting the shortcomings and means to resolve

ObjectivesDengue, a life-threatening disease caused by the mosquito-borne dengue virus, has become a severe problem in recent years in Bangladesh, a South Asian country. In this study, we have critically analyzed the factors contributing to the escalation of the dengue burden in recent years in Bangladesh and discussed the strategies for effective control. DesignThis retrospective observational study analyzed the dengue data collected from the five most dengue-affected countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines) from 2019 to 2023. ResultsAn increased number of dengue-related deaths has been recorded in Bangladesh since 2021. The year 2023 has witnessed a record high dengue-related deaths in Bangladesh, with cumulative deaths for the year surpassing all totals of the previous 23 years (2000-2022: 853 deaths vs 2023: 1705 deaths). Comparing the epidemiologic data of major dengue-endemic countries over the last 5 years, Bangladesh recorded higher dengue fatality rates consecutively for 3 years. Besides the environmental and viral host factors, which are also applicable to many other dengue-endemic countries, there is concern about the failures and mismanagement of authorities to manage dengue patients properly. ConclusionThis study provided evidence that Bangladesh recorded higher dengue fatality rates in recent years. By implementing multi-pronged proactive approaches that can ensure proper prevention programs and appropriate patient management, Bangladesh or similar other countries can significantly reduce the current dengue burden and the associated deaths.

Updating the breeding sites of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Camagüey, Cuba

Mosquito-borne diseases continue to be of significant public health concern in various parts of the world, facilitated by the adaptations that certain species, such as Aedes aegypti, have managed to develop. In order to update the bioecological knowledge of A. aegypti populations in a Health Area of Camagüey Province, Cuba, a comprehensive entomological survey was conducted both indoors and outdoors, covering the entire urban population, encompassing a total of 36,584 households. Aedes aegypti colonized 52 types of breeding sites, of which 15 were found to be permanent and suitable (29.0%), contributing 82.0% of the positivity. Low tanks were particularly prominent (43.0%). Positivity in natural breeding sites remained low (0.11%). Larvae were collected in habitats with high levels of eutrophication (17.30%), grouped in 28 positive breeding sites, accounting for 3.32% of the total number of positive sites. No differences were observed in the total number of positive breeding sites and capture locations between climatic seasons, indicating a consistent pattern of positivity throughout the study year, during which six types of breeding sites exceeded a 70% monthly repetitiveness. These results underscore the importance of vigilance and control measures to be undertaken by residents in their respective households.

Exploring the role of temperature and other environmental factors in West Nile virus incidence and prediction in California counties from 2017-2022 using a zero-inflated model.

West Nile virus (WNV) is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States, resulting in hundreds of reported cases yearly in California alone. The transmission cycle occurs mostly in birds and mosquitoes, making meteorological conditions, such as temperature, especially important to transmission characteristics. Given that future increases in temperature are all but inevitable due to worldwide climate change, determining associations between temperature and WNV incidence in humans, as well as making predictions on future cases, are important to public health agencies in California. Using surveillance data from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), meteorological data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and vector and host data from VectorSurv, we created GEE autoregressive and zero-inflated regression models to determine the role of temperature and other environmental factors in WNV incidence and predictions. An increase in temperature was found to be associated with an increase in incidence in 11 high-burden Californian counties between 2017-2022 (IRR = 1.06), holding location, time of year, and rainfall constant. A hypothetical increase of two degrees Fahrenheit-predicted for California by 2040-would have resulted in upwards of 20 excess cases per year during our study period. Using 2017-2021 as a training set, meteorological and host/vector data were able to closely predict 2022 incidence, though the models did overestimate the peak number of cases. The zero-inflated model closely predicted the low number of cases in winter months but performed worse than the GEE model during high-transmission periods. These findings suggests that climate change will, and may be already, altering transmission dynamics and incidence of WNV in California, and provides tools to help predict incidence into the future.

Assessing the effectiveness, biosafety, and resident’s perception of a micro-encapsulated propoxur paint against Aedes aegypti: a field trial in a dengue-affected community of Sonora, Mexico

Mosquito-borne diseases remain a major public health concern in the Region of the Americas. Concerning dengue, Mexico ranked as the third American country with the highest number of cases in 2023, following Brazil and Peru. In this sense, the development and production of safer, eco-friendly, cost-effective, more efficient, and target-specific insecticides have become essential in disease control strategies. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of indoor micro-encapsulated propoxur paint against Aedes aegypti, estimate residents' exposure via cholinesterase levels, and gauge resident perceptions in the rural village Poblado Miguel Alemán (PMA), Sonora, Mexico. Houses in PMA were organised into four blocks for a field trial, with different treatments on interior walls: 1) full insecticide paint coverage; 2) insecticide paint applied up to 1 meter; 3) full indoor residual spraying; and 4) no treatment (control). Mosquito surveys were conducted before and after interventions. Blood samples from residents were analysed for cholinesterase levels, while perceptions were gathered through a questionnaire. Aedes resting density correlated closely with the paint formulation and coverage. Full-surface insecticide paint showed the greatest reduction. Both paint interventions notably impacted Aedes breeding, with substantial reductions in House Index (20.1% IP, 31.2% IP 1 m) and Container Index (51.8% IP, 61.7% IP 1 m) compared to the control over one year. Post-intervention blood cholinesterase activity remained within acceptable limits. Over 80% of residents expressed satisfaction with the interventions. The use of propoxur paint proves to be a safe, effective, and well-accepted method for decreasing Ae. aegypti populations in urban areas.

Mark-Release-Recapture (MRR) of Sterile Male Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in Sri Lanka: Field Performance of Sterile Males and Estimation of the Wild Mosquito Population Density.

Dengue is an important mosquito-borne disease in Sri Lanka. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an environment-friendly and novel method that can suppress dengue vector mosquitoes in Sri Lanka. This study aimed to evaluate the field performance of sterile males and the density of wild male Aedes albopictus (Skuse) using a Mark-Release-Recapture (MRR) assay. Laboratory-colonized male pupae were exposed to 50 Gy gamma using a Co60 source. Sterile males (approx. 10,000) marked with fluorescent dust were released weekly for 4 consecutive weeks (January-February 2021) in a geographically isolated 30 ha site in Gampaha. Results show sterile males could disperse up to 543.8 m with a mean distance of 255.1 ± 44.6 m and survive up to 6 days with a mean life expectancy of 3.55 ± 2.32 days. A high field mating competitiveness of sterile males based on a Fried value of 0.47 ± 0.007 and significant induced sterility in the wild eggs in the second generation were found. The mean wild male mosquito population density was 163 males/ha. The data generated will be useful for designing future trials in Sri Lanka and other countries with similar situations.

Distinct Pathological Changes in Preweaning Mice Infected with Live-Attenuated Rift Valley Fever Virus Strains.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic viral disease endemic to Africa and the Middle East. Live-attenuated RVF vaccines have been studied for both veterinary and human use due to their strong immunogenicity and cost-effective manufacturing. The live-attenuated MP-12 vaccine has been conditionally approved for veterinary use in the U.S.A., and next-generation live-attenuated RVF vaccine candidates are being actively researched. Assessing the virulence phenotype of vaccine seeds or lots is crucial for managing vaccine safety. Previously, preweaning 19-day-old outbred CD1 mice have been used to evaluate the MP-12 strain. This study aimed to characterize the relative virulence of three live-attenuated RVF vaccine strains in 19-day-old inbred C57BL/6 mice: the recombinant MP-12 (rMP-12), the RVax-1, and the ∆NSs-∆NSm-rZH501 strains. Although this mouse model did not show dose-dependent pathogenesis, mice that succumbed to the infection exhibited distinct brain pathology. Mice infected with ∆NSs-∆NSm-rZH501 showed an infiltration of inflammatory cells associated with infected neurons, and focal lesions formed around virus-infected cells. In contrast, mice infected with rMP-12 or RVax-1 showed a minimal association of inflammatory cells in the brain, yet the virus spread diffusely. The preweaning model is likely useful for evaluating host responses to attenuated RVFV strains, although further refinement may be necessary to quantitate the virulence among different RVFV strains or vaccine lots.

Assessment of Indoor and Outdoor Resting Adult Female Mosquitoes Density Exhibiting Vectorial Portent, Insight from Kano State, Nigeria

Mosquito proliferation has been on the increase in most communities of Kano State, leading to a high rate of mosquito-borne diseases, pregnant women, and infant mortality. Mosquitoes spend the daytime resting in human dwellings, frequent survey of these mosquitoes is needed in vector control for breaking disease transmission. Despite this, data on mosquitos’ density are frequently missing. In this study, we have collected and identified all samples of indoor and outdoor resting mosquito species to assess female density. A longitudinal survey was carried out in three different sentinel sites (Darmanawa, Wudil, and Baba Ruga) for the period of 6 months (August 2023 to March 2024). Indoor mosquitoes were collected using the pyrethrum spray Method, while the outdoor mosquitoes were collected using a cardboard box. The knockdown mosquitoes were transported to the laboratory for identification, using a digital LCD microscope to gender and species level with the aid of different taxonomic guides. A total of one thousand and five (1005) female mosquitoes belonging to 5 genera and 21 species were caught. The result showed a significant influence (p < 0.05) of species, months, resting behavior, and season on the density of adult female mosquitoes while collection sites do not influence adult female mosquitoes (p > 0.05). We concluded that adult female mosquitos’ density is affected by species, months of the year, resting behavior, and season, as well as the high density of An. gambiae and Cx. quinnquefasciatus recorded is a bio-portent of malaria and filariasis spotlight in these communities.

Risk of mosquito-borne diseases in pilgrims to the grand Magal de Touba in Senegal.

Risk of mosquito-borne diseases in pilgrims to the grand Magal de Touba in Senegal.

Bloodmeals fuel dengue virus replication in the female mosquito Aedes aegypti.

Through evolution, the mosquito-borne viruses have adapted to the blood-feeding behaviors of their opportunist hosts to fulfill a complete lifecycle in humans and mosquitos. Disruption in the mosquitos' ability to host these viruses offers strategies to prevent diseases caused by them. With the advent of genomic tools, we discovered that dengue virus (DENV) benefited from the female mosquitos' bloodmeals for metabolic and energetic supplies for replication. Chemical or genetic disruption in these supplies reduced DENV replication in the female mosquitos. Our discovery can be exploited to produce genetically modified mosquitos, in which DENV infection leads to disruption in the supplies and thereby reduces replication and transmission. Our discovery might be extrapolated to prevent mosquito-borne virus transmission and the diseases they cause.

How do female mosquitoes determine the most suitable males for mating?

More than 80% of the world's populations are at risk of vector-borne diseases, with mosquito-borne diseases as a significant global public health problem. Mosquito populations control is critical to interrupting the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. This review summarizes the physical attributes, smell, vision, touch, and hearing of mosquitoes to unravel the preferences of female mosquitoes, and describes the mechanisms underlying the best male mating by female mosquitoes, so as to provide new insights into management of mosquito-borne diseases.

Design and evaluation of an efficient mosquito trap.

Vector mosquito control is important for preventing and controlling mosquito-borne infectious diseases. This study designed and developed a mosquito killer (MK) with a specific light wavelength, simulated human body temperature, human odor, and a photocatalyst to stimulate CO2 based on the physiological characteristics and ecological habits of mosquitoes. We tested the trapping effect of individual and multiple mosquito-trapping elements of the MK through two-way selection experiments and compared them with several commercial mosquito traps. The 365 nm wavelength MK was significantly more effective than the 395 nm (Cx. quinquefasciatus: 62.00% vs. 34.25%; Ae. albopictus: 50.75% vs 45.00%, An. sinensis: 49.75% vs 39.00%). Mosquitoes captured by the MK with heaters at 365 nm were significantly more than those captured by the MK without heaters at 365 nm. A trap with a 365 nm wavelength, heating element, and lure showed significantly better capture effectiveness than MK with a 365 nm wavelength, heating element, but without lure (Cx. quinquefasciatus: 67.00% vs. 29.75%, Ae. albopictus: 60.25% vs 36.25%, An. sinensis: 49.75% vs 39.75%). The coated photocatalyst trap with a 365 nm wavelength, heating element, and lure showed significantly better capture effectiveness than the trap without coating (Cx. quinquefasciatus: 54.25% vs. 42.50%; Ae. albopictus: 53.50% vs 44.00%, An. sinensis: 50.00% vs 41.25%). This trap demonstrated a significantly better capture advantage for Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. albopictus compared to the three commercial products. The developed mosquito trap with multiple attractant factors significantly enhanced the capture effectiveness of common mosquitoes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Unveiling candidate genes for metabolic resistance to malathion in Aedes albopictus through RNA sequencing-based transcriptome profiling.

Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, is indigenous to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Ae. albopictus is expanding across the globe at alarming rates, raising concern over the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue, West Nile fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya fever. Since Ae. albopictus was reported in Houston (Harris County, Texas) in 1985, this species has rapidly expanded to at least 32 states across the United States. Public health efforts aimed at controlling Ae. albopictus, including surveillance and adulticide spraying operations, occur regularly in Harris County. Despite rotation of insecticides to mitigate the development of resistance, multiple mosquito species including Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti in Harris County show organophosphate and pyrethroid resistance. Aedes albopictus shows relatively low resistance levels as compared to Ae. aegypti, but kdr-mutation and the expression of detoxification genes have been reported in Ae. albopictus populations elsewhere. To identify potential candidate detoxification genes contributing to metabolic resistance, we used RNA sequencing of field-collected malathion-resistant and malathion-susceptible, and laboratory-maintained susceptible colonies of Ae. albopictus by comparing the relative expression of transcripts from three major detoxification superfamilies involved in malathion resistance due to metabolic detoxification. Between these groups, we identified 12 candidate malathion resistance genes and among these, most genes correlated with metabolic detoxification of malathion, including four P450 and one alpha esterase. Our results reveal the metabolic detoxification and potential cuticular-based resistance mechanisms associated with malathion resistance in Ae. albopictus in Harris County, Texas.

Mosquito diversity and abundance in English wetlands – empirical evidence to guide predictions for wetland suitability for mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract The absence of habitat-based guidance for wetland managers on the British mosquito assemblages has in recent years prevented development of the ecological aspect of medical entomology in the UK. This has been particularly relevant in the context of emerging mosquito-borne disease and the creation of wetlands for biodiversity and flood-alleviation goals. This study aimed to provide empirically derived habitat-based predictions in order to assess the suitability of English wetland habitats for mosquitoes. Entomological field data on mosquito density and diversity were collected at 12 English wetlands in 2017 and 2018 using immature and adult mosquito surveys. Wetlands were chosen representing a number of wetland categories that included coastal, urban, wet woodland and established freshwater wetlands to identify key species and functional groups to inform predictions of mosquitoes by aquatic habitat type. Nineteen species were recorded from eight functional groups, totalling 38,577 adult female (19 mosquito species groups) and ~2,000 immature mosquitoes in 13 aquatic habitat types. Approximately 90% of all trapped mosquitoes were attributed to one of five species groups. The most common species were: Aedes (Och.) caspius (Pallas, 1771) (~35% of all mosquitoes), associated with coastal estuarine and flooded grassland sites, Ae. cantans/annulipes (19.7%) in wet woodland field sites, Anopheles claviger (16.2%) and Coquillettidia richiardii (12.6%) with the widest occurrence, found in nearly all field sites, and Ae. detritus (6.9%) in brackish field sites. Across the study, adult mosquito activity increased from week 21 with wet woodland Aedes mosquitoes, until week 40 with open-flood water species, with greatest diversity of species during weeks 23–30. The resulting data inform efforts towards developing predictive tools for non-entomologists to accurately predict the presence and abundance of British mosquitoes in a given habitat, using local knowledge of seasonal aquatic habitats.

Seasonal mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) dynamics and the influence of environmental variables in a land use gradient from Yucatan, Mexico

Mosquito-borne diseases constitute a significant global impact on public and animal health. Climatic variables are recognized as major drivers in the mosquitoes’ life history, principally rainfall and temperature, which directly influence mosquito abundance. Likewise, urbanization changes environmental conditions, and understanding how environmental variables and urbanization influence mosquito dynamics is crucial for the integrated management of mosquito-borne diseases, especially in the context of climate change. In this study, our aim was to observe the effect of temperature, rainfall, and the percentage of impervious surface on the abundance of mosquito species over a temporal scale of one complete year of fortnightly samplings, spanning from June 2021 to June 2022 in Yucatan, Mexico. We selected nine localities along an urbanization gradient (three natural, three rural, and three urban) from Mérida City to Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún. Using BG-traps, mosquitoes were collected biweekly at each locality. Additionally, we estimated the percentage of impervious surface. Daily data of the maximum, mean and minimum temperatures, diurnal temperature range and rainfall were accumulated weekly. We calculated the accumulated quantities of temperatures and rainfall and lagged from one to four weeks before sampling for each locality. Generalized linear mixed models were then performed to study the influence of environmental variables and percentage of impervious surfaces on each of the 15 most abundant species. A total of 131,525 mosquitoes belonging to 11 genera and 49 species were sampled with BG-Sentinel traps baited with BG-lure and dry ice. The most frequently significative variable is the accumulated precipitation four weeks before the sampling. We observed a positive relationship between Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. thriambus with the diurnal temperature range. For Ae. aegypti, we observed a positive relationship with minimum temperature. Conversely, the percentage of impervious surface serves as a proxy of anthropogenic influence and helped us to distinguishing species exhibiting habitat preference for urban and rural environments, versus those preferring natural habitats. Our results characterize the species-specific effects of environmental variables (temperature, rainfall and impervious surface) on mosquito abundance.

The Mosquito Fauna of Arizona: Species Composition and Public Health Implications.

Arizona is home to many mosquito species, some of which are known vectors of infectious diseases that harm both humans and animals. Here, we provide an overview of the 56 mosquito species that have been identified in the State to date, but also discuss their known feeding preference and the diseases they can (potentially) transmit to humans and animals. This list is unlikely to be complete for several reasons: (i) Arizona's mosquitoes are not systematically surveyed in many areas, (ii) surveillance efforts often target specific species of interest, and (iii) doubts have been raised by one or more scientists about the accuracy of some collection records, which has been noted in this article. There needs to be an integrated and multifaceted surveillance approach that involves entomologists and epidemiologists, but also social scientists, wildlife ecologists, ornithologists, representatives from the agricultural department, and irrigation and drainage districts. This will allow public health officials to (i) monitor changes in current mosquito species diversity and abundance, (ii) monitor the introduction of new or invasive species, (iii) identify locations or specific populations that are more at risk for mosquito-borne diseases, and (iv) effectively guide vector control.