Avian malaria alters the dynamics of blood feeding in Culex pipiens mosquitoes

Abstract

Abstract Background 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. Methods The effect of Plasmodium relictum infections on the blood feeding behaviour of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus mosquitoes was monitored. Results 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. Conclusion The potential adaptive nature of this manipulation of mosquito behaviour is discussed in the light of previous studies on other malaria models.

Keywords

• Plasmodium relictum
• Malaria
• Culex pipiens
• Blood feeding
• Vector behaviour