The effects of mating and blood feeding on the immune defense of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

ABSTRACT: Mating and consequent reproduction have variable effects on the immune defenses of female insects, ranging from immune enhancement to immune suppression. Blood feeding, which is necessary to induce egg production in anautogenous insect species, also impacts immunity, with variable effects in different insect species. Because immunity is a key component of vector competence, and mating and blood feeding can influence immunity, we investigated the effects of these processes on immune defense in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. To explore both aspects of reproduction, we measured survival, bacterial load, and bacterial prevalence in response to mating and blood feeding in adult female Ae. aegypti infected with various doses of the opportunistic bacterial pathogen, Serratia marcescens

SUBMITTER: Kelly BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12507272 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature