The effects of various sources of vertebrate blood meal on feeding rates, reproductive capacities, and biological traits of Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)
摘要
Mosquitoes are vectors for diseases like dengue, malaria, and yellow fever. Research on how different vertebrate blood sources influence their fitness is essential for understanding disease transmission. This study examined the effects of blood meals from humans, guinea pigs, mice, and chickens on Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus. The results showed that Ae. albopictus thrived on human blood, with increased feeding activity, egg production, and hatching rates, whereas feeding on chicken blood led to decreased activity. In contrast, Cx. quinquefasciatus had the best outcomes with chicken blood, highlighting its nutritional importance. Mouse blood resulted in lower egg production and hatching rates for both species. Similarly, guinea pig blood led to reduced feeding activity in both species. No significant differences were found in digestion or immature stage duration across different blood sources. These findings underscore the role of blood meal sources in mosquito metabolism, affecting feeding behavior, reproductive success, and potential parasite transmission, thereby addressing significant public health concerns.