biostudies-literatureCornet SEuropean Research CouncilAgence Nationale de la Recherche82https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6420798biostudies-literatureUnknown18(1)<h4>Background</h4>Some Plasmodium species have the ability to modify the behaviour of their mosquito vectors. This is thought to be an adaptive strategy that maximizes the parasite's transmission.<h4>Methods</h4>The effect of Plasmodium relictum infections on the blood feeding behaviour of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus mosquitoes was monitored.<h4>Results</h4>Plasmodium infections did not alter the proportion of blood fed mosquitoes but they did affect the dynamics and the size of the blood meal. Sporozoite-infected mosquitoes completed their blood meal 1.3 times later than uninfected mosquitoes and ended up with smaller blood meals.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The potential adaptive nature of this manipulation of mosquito behaviour is discussed in the light of previous studies on other malaria moMalaria journalAvian malaria alters the dynamics of blood feeding in Culex pipiens mosquitoes.PMC6420798ERC Starting Grant 243054 EVOLEPID243054EVOMALWILDCornet SNicot AGandon SRivero AfalseAvian malaria alters the dynamics of blood feeding in Culex pipiens mosquitoes.<h4>Background</h4>Some Plasmodium species have the ability to modify the behaviour of their mosquito vectors. This is thought to be an adaptive strategy that maximizes the parasite's transmission.<h4>Methods</h4>The effect of Plasmodium relictum infections on the blood feeding behaviour of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus mosquitoes was monitored.<h4>Results</h4>Plasmodium infections did not alter the proportion of blood fed mosquitoes but they did affect the dynamics and the size of the blood meal. Sporozoite-infected mosquitoes completed their blood meal 1.3 times later than uninfected mosquitoes and ended up with smaller blood meals.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The potential adaptive nature of this manipulation of mosquito behaviour is discussed in the light of previous studies on other malaria mo2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Mar2026-05-07T03:00:32.32Z2019-08-04T07:57:48ZS-EPMC64207983087641210.1186/s12936-019-2690-5