Differential Gene Expression in the Heads of Behaviorally Divergent Culex pipiens Mosquitoes.

ABSTRACT: Host preferences of Cx. pipiens, a bridge vector for West Nile virus to humans, have the potential to drive pathogen transmission dynamics. Yet much remains unknown about the extent of variation in these preferences and their molecular basis. We conducted host choice assays in a laboratory setting to quantify multi-day human and avian landing rates for Cx. pipiens females. Assayed populations originated from five above-ground and three below-ground breeding and overwintering habitats. All three below-ground populations were biased toward human landings, with rates of human landing ranging from 69-85%. Of the five above-ground populations, four had avian landing rates of >80%, while one landed on the avian host only 44% of the time. Overall response rates and willingness to al

SUBMITTER: Noreuil A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8005152 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature