Heritability of biting time behaviours in the major African malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The use of insecticide-treated nets for malaria control has been associated with shifts in mosquito vector feeding behaviour including earlier and outdoor biting on humans. The relative contribution of phenotypic plasticity and heritability to these behavioural shifts is unknown. Elucidation of the mechanisms behind these shifts is crucial for anticipating impacts on vector control.

Methods

A novel portable semi-field system (PSFS) was used to experimentally measure heritability of biting time in the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis in Tanzania. Wild An. arabiensis from hourly collections using the human landing catch (HLC) method were grouped into one of 3 categories based on their time of capture: early (18:00-21:00), mid (22:00-04:00), and late (05:00-07:00)

SUBMITTER: Govella NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10433675 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature