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Energy-state dependent responses of Anopheles gambiae to an unobtainable host

Resource type
Thesis type
(Thesis) M.Sc.
Date created
2011-11-25
Authors/Contributors
Abstract
Understanding how blood-seeking behavior changes with different energy levels in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae), when confronted with an unobtainable blood-host, is of interest for vector control strategies. I used a straight-tube olfactometer to mimic a domicile containing (i) a simulated blood-host (human foot smell) protected by either a plain bednet or a DEET impregnated net and (ii) a sugar source (honey scent) some distance away. I manipulated the mosquito’s energy level by withholding sugar sources from females for different lengths of time. Whenever DEET was present, virtually no mosquitoes interacted with the blood-host scent at any energy level. Yet, energy levels influenced response to foot odour, probing persistence, residence time when DEET was not present. This suggests that control strategies using mosquito repellents can ignore the presence of alternative food sources (such as sugar) in the field unless the chemical efficacy is not retained over time.
Document
Identifier
etd6906
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Copyright is held by the author.
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The author granted permission for the file to be printed and for the text to be copied and pasted.
Scholarly level
Supervisor or Senior Supervisor
Thesis advisor: Roitberg, Bernard
Member of collection
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etd6906_SZappia.pdf 1.15 MB

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