Nutritional ecology of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae

Vector survival rate is a key factor when estimating the potential of a vector population to transmit a parasite and as such, a small change in vector survival can have a significant effect on vectorial capacity. Using laboratory experiments, I investigated the possibility that Anopheles gambiae, a vector of Plasmodium, can alter the proportional allocation of resources between somatic and reproductive functions in response to limited nutritional intake. I also conducted a field survey to document how the nutritional status of An. gambiae varies within a population. Lastly, I used laboratory experiments to examine the effect of Plasmodium on vector fitness. The results of these investigations show that An. gambiae does have some control over its longevity, can mediate the effects of limited nutrition, that nutritional status of mosquitoes varies within a population and can alter the effect of Plasmodium on its vector.