Abstract
The preference of two allopatric populations of Culex annulirostris mosquitoes in South Australia (SA) for guinea pigs and chickens was investigated using host-baited traps in the field and in a flight tunnel for laboratory assays. Mosquitoes from the Riverland of SA preferred guinea pigs, those from northeast SA preferred chickens. In the field, 2184 Cx. annulirostris were captured during four experiments in each region. The proportion choosing chicken was 0.5393 in northeast SA and 0.4348 in the Riverland. In the laboratory, replicate trials utilizing 15 mosquitoes at a time yielded results concordant with field assays. This study demonstrates variation in Cx. annulirostris host preference throughout this species geographic range. Semiochemical analysis of the two host species was performed on solvent extractions and volatile trapping samples from fur and feathers, respectively. This revealed differences that are likely to be the basis for host discrimination by Cx. annulirostris.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Angris, A. 1991. Aspects of the behavioural and genetic control of host preference in the mosquito Anopheles arabiensis. MSc Thesis. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, England.
Arredondo-Jimenez, J. I., Gimnig, J., Rodriguez, M. H., and Washino, R. K. 1996. Genetic differences among Anopheles vestitipennis subpopulations collected using different methods in Chiapas state, southern Mexico. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc. 12:396–401.
Barott, H. G. and Pringle, E. M. 1946. Energy and gaseous metabolism of the chicken from hatch to maturity as affected by temperature. J. Nutr. 31:35–50.
Beebe, N. W. and Cooper, R. D. 2000. Molecular systematics of mosquitoes with particular reference to the Anopheles punctulatus group. Int. J. Parasitol. 30:1–17.
Beebe, N. W., van den Hurk, A. F., Chapman, H. F., Frances, S. P., Williams, C. R., and Cooper, R. D. 2002. Development and evaluation of a species diagnostic PCR procedure for cryptic members of the Culex sitiens (Diptera: Culicidae) subgroup in Australia and the southwest Pacific. J. Med. Entomol. 39:362–369.
Blackwell, A., Dyer, C., Mordue, A. J., Wadhams, L. J., and Mordue, W. 1996. The role of 1–octen-3–ol as a host-odour attractant for the biting midge, Culicoides impunctatus Goetghebuer, and interactions of 1–octen-3–ol with a volatile pheromone produced by parous female midges. Physiol. Entomol. 21:15–19.
Boo, K. S., Choi, M. Y., Chung, I. B., Eastop, V. E., Pickett, J. A., Wadhams, L. J., and Woodcock, C. M. 2000. Sex pheromone of the peach aphid, Tuberocephalus momonis, and optimal blends for trapping males and females in the field. J. Chem. Ecol. 26:601–609.
Chapman, H. F., Kay, B. H., Ritchie, S. A., van den Hurk, A. F., and Hughes, J. M. 2000. Definition of species in the Culex sitiens subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) from Papua New Guinea and Australia. J. Med. Entomol. 37:736–742.
Clements, A. N. 1999. The Biology of Mosquitoes, Vol. 2: Sensory Reception and Behaviour. CAB International, Wallingford, United Kingdom.
Cook, R. D. and Weisberg, S. 1982. Residuals and Influence in Regression. Chapman and Hall, London.
Costantini, C., Gibson, G., Sagnon, N., Della Torre, A., Brady, J., and Coluzzi, M. 1996. Mosquito responses to carbon dioxide in a West African Sudan savanna village. Med. Vet. Entomol. 10:220–227.
Costantini, C., Sagnon, N., Della Torre, A., Diallo, M., Brady, J., Gibson, G., and Coluzzi, M. 1998. Odor-mediated host preferences of West African mosquitoes, with particular reference to malaria vectors. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 58:56–63.
Cork, A. 1996. Olfactory basis of host location by mosquitoes and other haematophagous Diptera. pp. 71–84, in G. R. Bock and G. Cardew (Eds.). Olfaction in Mosquito–Host Interactions. Wiley, Chichester, England.
Daykin, P. N., Kellogg, F. E., and Wright, R. H. 1965. Host-finding and repulsion of Aedes aegypti. Can. Ent. 97:239–263.
De Jong, R. and Knols, B. G. J. 1995. Selection of biting sites on man by two malaria mosquito species. Experientia 51:80–84.
Dekker, T., Takken, W., Knols, B. G. J., Bouman, E., van de Laak, S., de Bever, A., and Huisman, P. W. T. 1998. Selection of biting sites on a human host by Anopheles gambiae s.s., An. arabiensis and An. quadriannulatus. Ent. Exp. Appl. 87:295–300.
Du, Y.-J. and Millar, J. G. 1999. Electroanntennogram and oviposition bioassay responses of Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) to chemicals in odors from Bermuda grass infusions. J. Med. Entomol. 36:158–166.
Gillies, M. T. 1964. Selection for host preference in Anopheles gambiae. Nature 203:852–854.
Gillies, M. T. 1980. The role of carbon dioxide in host-finding by mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae): A review. Bull. Ent. Res. 70:525–532.
Hii, J. L. K. 1985. Evidence for the existence of genetic variability in the tendency of Anopheles balabacensis to rest in houses and to bite man. South East Asian J. Trop. Med. Pub. Health 16:173–182.
Hii, J. L. K. and Vun, Y. S. 1987. The influence of a heterogeneous environment on host feeding behavior by Anopheles balabacensis (Diptera: Culicidae). Trop. Biomed. 4:67–70.
Hocking, B. 1963. The use of attractants and repellents in vector control. Bull. W.H.O. (Suppl.) 29:121–126.
Kawasaki, K. 1984. Effects of ratio and amount of the two sex-pheromonal components of the diamondback moth on male behavioral response. Appl. Entomol. Zool. 19:436–442.
Kawazu, K., Hasegawa, J., Honda, H., Ishikawa, Y., Wakamura, S., Sugie, H., Kamiwada, H., Kamimuro, T., and Yoshiyasu, Y. 2000. Geographical variation in female sex pheromones of the rice leaffolder moth, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis: Identification of pheromone components in Japan. Ent. Exp. Appl. 96:103–109.
Kay, B. H., Boreham, P. F. L., and Williams, G. M. 1979. Host preferences and feeding patterns of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) at Kowanyama, Cape York Peninsula, northern Queensland. Bull. Ent. Res. 69:441–457.
Kay, B. H., Boreham, P. F. L., and Fanning, I. D. 1985. Host-feeding patterns of Culex annulirostris and other mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) at Charleville, southwestern Queensland, Australia. J. Med. Entomol. 22:529–535.
Keller, M. A. 1990. Responses of the parasitoid Cotesia rubecula to its host Pieris rapae in a flight tunnel. Ent. Exp. Appl. 57:243–249.
Kline, D. L. 1994. Olfactory attractants for mosquito surveillance and control: 1–octen-3–ol. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc. 10:280–287.
Knols, B. G. J. 1996. On human odour, malaria mosquitoes, and Limburger cheese. Lancet 348:1322.
Knols, B. G. J. and De Jong, R. 1996. Limburger cheese as an attractant for the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae s.s. Parasitol. Today 12:159–161.
Knols, B. G. J., Takken, W., and De Jong, R. 1994. Influence of human breath on selection of biting sites by Anopheles albimanus. J. Am. Mosq. Control. Assoc. 10:423–426.
Lee, D. J., Hicks, M. M., Debenham, M. L., Griffiths, M., Marks, E. N., Bryan, J. H., and Russell, R. C. 1989. The Culicidae of the Australasian Region, Vol. 7. Entomology Monograph No. 2. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, Australia.
Mackenzie, J. S., Broom, A. K., Hall, R. A., Johansen, C. A., Lindsay, M. D., Phillips, D. A., Ritchie, S. A., Russell, R. C., and Smith, D. W. 1998. Arboviruses in the Australian region, 1990 to 1998. Comm. Dis. Intell. 22:93–100.
Marks, E. N. 1982. Recent taxonomic studies of Culex annulirostris and allied species and their possible significance for arbovirus research, pp. 146–151, in T. D. St George and B. H. Kay (Eds.). Third Symposium, Arbovirus Research in Australia, CSIRO Division of Animal Health and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia.
McCray, E. M. and Schoof, H. F. 1970. Laboratory behavior of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus and the effects of TEPA, METEPA, and apholate upon its reproduction. Mosq. News 30:149–155.
Mukwaya, L. G. 1977. Genetic control of feeding preferences in the mosquitoes Aedes (Stegomyia) simpsoni and aegypti. Physiol. Entomol. 2:133–145.
Muller, M. J., Murray, M. D., and Edwards, J. A. 1981. Blood-sucking midges and mosquitoes feeding on mammals at Beatrice Hill, N.T. Aust. J. Zool. 29:573–588.
Nicolaides, N., Hwei, C. FU., and Rice, G. R. 1968. The skin surface lipids of man compared with those of eighteen species of animals. J. Invest. Dermatol. 51:83–89.
Ohmasa, Y., Wakamura, S., Kozai, S., Sugie, H., Horiike, M., Hirano, C., and Mori, S. 1991. Sex pheromone of the fruit-piercing moth, Oraesia excavata (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Isolation and identification. Appl. Entomol. Zool. 26:55–62.
Rohe, D. L. and Fall, R. P. 1979. A miniature battery powered CO2 baited light trap for mosquito borne encephalitis surveillance. Bull. Soc. Vector Ecol. 4:24–27.
Russell, R. C. 1986. Culex annulirostris Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae) at Appin, N.S.W.—Bionomics and behaviour. J. Aust. Entomol. Soc. 25:103–109.
Russell, R. C. 1987a. Host attraction studies of Culex annulirostris Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae) near Echuca, in the Murray Valley of Victoria. J. Aust. Entomol. Soc. 26:375–378.
Russell, R. C. 1987b. The mosquito fauna of Conjola State Forest on the south coast of New South Wales. Part 2. Female feeding behaviour and flight activity. Gen. Appl. Entomol. 19:17–24.
Russell, R. C. 1995. Arboviruses and their vectors in Australia: An update on the ecology and epidemiology of some mosquito-borne arboviruses. Rev. Med. Vet. Entomol. 83:141–158.
SAS Institute Inc. 1997. JMP IN. Duxbury Press, Belmont, California.
Sharp, B. L. and Le Sueur, D. 1991. Behavioural variation of Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae) populations in Natal, South Africa. Bull. Ent. Res. 81:107–110.
Snow, W. F. 1970. The effect of a reduction in expired carbon dioxide on the attractiveness of human subjects to mosquitoes. Bull. Ent. Res. 60:43–48.
Stupfel, M., Perramon, A., Gourlet, V., Thierry, H., Ali, M., and Lemercerre, C. 1983. Harmonic analysis of ultridian respiratory rhythms in four small laboratory vertebrates lit in LD12:12. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A 75:293–297.
Takken, W. 1996. Synthesis and future challenges: The response of mosquitoes to host odours, pp. 302–320, in G. R. Bock and G. Cardew (Eds.). Olfaction in Mosquito–Host Interactions. Wiley, Chichester, England.
Tempelis, C. H., Francy, D. B., Hayes, R. O., and Lofy, M. F. 1967. Variations in feeding patterns of seven culicine mosquitoes on vertebrate hosts in Weld and Larimer counties, Colorado. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 16:111–119.
Wheatley, V. R. and James, A. T. 1957. Studies of sebum 7. The composition of the sebum of some common rodents. Biochem. J. 65:36–42.
Wright, A. E. 1981. Ord River arboviruses—mosquito captures during 1976/77. J. Aust. Ent. Soc. 20:47–57.
Zar, J. H. 1999. Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Zhang, Z., and Pawliszyn, J. 1993. Analysis of organic compounds in environmental samples using headspace solid phase microextraction. J. High Resolut. Chromatogr. 16:C689–C692.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Williams, C.R., Kokkinn, M.J. & Smith, B.P. Intraspecific Variation in Odor-Mediated Host Preference of the Mosquito Culex annulirostris . J Chem Ecol 29, 1889–1903 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024806429366
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024806429366