Exploring Mosquito Thermal Biology and Chemical Ecology in the Context of Host-Seeking and Climate Change

Mosquitoes are a significant global public health threat, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives annually due to the various pathogens they transmit, which result in diseases including dengue, malaria, and Zika. While various strategies and practices are in place to manage mosquito populations, these methods may be challenged due to a rise in insecticide resistance in some mosquito species, the increasing impacts of global climate change, and invasive species populations. This work presents four distinct projects investigating Culex spp., Ae. albopictus, and Ae. j. japonicus mosquitoes using a range of methods and techniques to bring novel insight into the biology and ecology of these mosquitoes. The first project focuses on the thermal preference and response to thermal cues of three Culex species which vary in host preference and climate of origin. The second project explores the effects of different rearing temperatures and regions of origin on the thermal performance, life-history traits, and nutrient reserves of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. The third project shifts to the optimization of a species-specific attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) trap targeted toward invasive Ae. j. japonicus mosquitoes. The fourth chapter, which is field oriented, focuses on determining the role of elevation on mosquito biodiversity and pathogen prevalence. Collectively, these works explore how mosquitoes interact with their environment to support research-informed decisions in future mosquito control practices.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Life Sciences

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biochemistry

Department dc:contributor.department

Biochemistry

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Oker, Helen Maria

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Lahondere, Chloe Aude

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Tu, Zhijian
• Paulson, Sally L.
• Vinauger, Clément

• thermal biology
• host and sugar seeking
• invasive species
• climate change
• disease vector insects

Statement dc:rights

• Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:37923

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/115865