Effect of temperature on mosquito olfaction

Abstract

ABSTRACTMosquitoes use a wide range of cues to find a host to feed on, eventually leading to the transmission of pathogens. Among them, olfactory cues (e.g., host emitted odors, including CO2, and skin volatiles) play a central role in mediating host seeking behaviors. While mosquito olfaction can be impacted by many factors, such as the physiological state of the insect (e.g., age, reproductive state), the impact of environmental temperature on the olfactory system remains unknown. In this study, we quantified the behavioral responses ofAedes aegyptimosquitoes, vectors of dengue, yellow fever and Zika viruses, to host and plant related odors under different environmental temperatures.