biostudies-literatureNoreuil ANIAID NIH HHS271https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8005152biostudies-literatureUnknown12(3)Host preferences of <i>Cx. pipiens</i>, 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 <i>Cx. pipiens</i> 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 alInsectsDifferential Gene Expression in the Heads of Behaviorally Divergent <i>Culex pipiens</i> Mosquitoes.PMC8005152R01 AI125622Noreuil AFritz MLfalseDifferential Gene Expression in the Heads of Behaviorally Divergent <i>Culex pipiens</i> Mosquitoes.Host preferences of <i>Cx. pipiens</i>, 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 <i>Cx. pipiens</i> 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 al2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Mar2026-04-07T18:53:41.066Z2022-02-09T14:48:00.112ZS-EPMC80051523380686110.3390/insects12030271