Mosquito phytophagy is a critical component of mosquito biology, contributing to their survival, flight activity and reproductive output and thus fueling their role as deadly vectors of disease. To alleviate the issues faced by current control methods, such as increased insecticide resistance and environmental damage, novel control strategies have emerged that exploit the mosquito's biological need to feed on sugar. However, an improved understanding of sugar feeding behavior is needed to better optimize these strategies. Here, we determined the prevalence of mosquito sugar feeding on ornamental plants and wildflowers by using DNA barcoding on mosquitoes captured in residential Blacksburg, VA, and identified their preferences for commonly planted flower species. Based on this information, we then confirmed the rate of sugar feeding on the attractive flower goldenrod (Solidago spp.) in the wild and explored its attractive qualities with the intent of developing a novel, ecologically friendly attractant. Similarly, we observed the sugar feeding behavior of invasive species Aedes japonicus on the toxic native flower fly poison and assessed its suitability as a naturally sourced attractant and toxin for use in attractive toxic sugar baits. Finally, we compared the morphology, metabolism and life history traits of mosquito species with unique host preferences. This work expands our knowledge on mosquito phytophagy and contributes to the development of new, highly needed control strategies. / Doctor of Philosophy / Mosquitoes are considered by many to be a blood-feeding nuisance and a vector of disease. While it is true that the females of several species need blood to develop their eggs and transmit disease-causing pathogens through blood feeding, mosquitoes need to frequently feed on plant-derived sugars to survive in the wild. In fact, male mosquitoes feed exclusively on sugar and both sexes use sugar as an energy source for flight. Because sugar feeding is such a critical component of mosquito biology, many novel disease vector control strategies have recently emerged that exploit this behavior, making it important to study. However, there is much that remains to be understood about their plant preferences and how they find these preferred plants in the wild. Here, we used new molecular techniques to determine what plant species mosquitoes commonly feed on in residential areas of Blacksburg, VA. We then explored the attractive qualities of goldenrod, a plant fed on frequently by mosquitoes in Montgomery County, VA. We also examined whether an invasive species, Aedes japonicus, can feed on the native toxic flower fly poison and analyzed the effect of sugar concentration on the metabolism, survival and egg-laying rate of two important invasive disease vectors: Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The results found here improve our understanding of mosquito sugar feeding and have applications for the development of new disease control techniques.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/121020 |
| Date | 26 August 2024 |
| Creators | Upshur, Irving Forde |
| Contributors | Biochemistry, Lahondere, Chloe Aude, Schmale, David Garner Burton, Vinauger Tella, Clement, Paulson, Sally L., Zhu, Jinsong |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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