Mapping differences in circadian rhythm in field collected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
Department
Biological Sciences
Faculty Advisor
Matthew DeGennaro
Start Date
29-9-2020 9:00 AM
End Date
29-9-2020 10:00 AM
Abstract
The Yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), a common vector for the pathogens that cause diseases such as yellow fever, dengue, and Zika, has become highly adapted to living alongside humans. Despite the continued use of insecticides, mosquito species such as A. aegypti are still thriving in the subtropical climate of south Florida. Considering that insecticide use across the regions in Florida vary in spraying patterns, timing, and frequency of spraying, mosquitoes that live in different regions may have been exposed to different levels of insecticides. Circadian clocks are involved in feeding behavior, metabolism, hormone release and locomotion activity among other crucial life processes, and since other insects have been shown to have circadian clock influence on toxic agent susceptibility, mosquitoes undergoing insecticide exposure may also be subject to circadian regulation. The aim of this study is to analyze the locomotor activity of field-collected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes under LD 12:12 at 27 °C after they are reared under laboratory conditions, and to cross-analyze the locomotion activity data collected with Geographic information system (GIS) maps of insecticide spraying activity and other environmental determinants of vector abundance in Miami-Dade county.
File Type
Event
Mapping differences in circadian rhythm in field collected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
The Yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), a common vector for the pathogens that cause diseases such as yellow fever, dengue, and Zika, has become highly adapted to living alongside humans. Despite the continued use of insecticides, mosquito species such as A. aegypti are still thriving in the subtropical climate of south Florida. Considering that insecticide use across the regions in Florida vary in spraying patterns, timing, and frequency of spraying, mosquitoes that live in different regions may have been exposed to different levels of insecticides. Circadian clocks are involved in feeding behavior, metabolism, hormone release and locomotion activity among other crucial life processes, and since other insects have been shown to have circadian clock influence on toxic agent susceptibility, mosquitoes undergoing insecticide exposure may also be subject to circadian regulation. The aim of this study is to analyze the locomotor activity of field-collected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes under LD 12:12 at 27 °C after they are reared under laboratory conditions, and to cross-analyze the locomotion activity data collected with Geographic information system (GIS) maps of insecticide spraying activity and other environmental determinants of vector abundance in Miami-Dade county.