Light pollution disrupts seasonal reproductive phenotypes and reduces lifespan in the West Nile vector, Culex pipiens.

ABSTRACT: Females of the Northern House mosquito, Culex pipiens, are important disease vectors as they transmit pathogens including West Nile virus. These females survive the winter by entering diapause, a state of dormancy, characterized by the accumulation of lipids, cessation of blood-feeding, and reproductive arrest. Diapause is cued by photoperiod, so as days become short in late summer and early fall, female Cx. pipiens prepare to overwinter and disease transmission decreases. We previously demonstrated that Artificial light at night (ALAN) causes female Cx. pipiens to avert diapause and continue to blood-feed when reared under short-day conditions. Additionally, light pollution alters seasonal differences in mosquito activity and nutrient reserves. However, it is unclear how exposure to ALAN

SUBMITTER: Fiorta MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12163900 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature