Vector-host interactions in avian nests: do mosquitoes prefer nestlings over adults?
The hypothesis that nestlings are a significant driver of arbovirus transmission and amplification is based upon findings that suggest nestlings are highly susceptible to being fed upon by vector mosquitoes and to viral infection and replication. Several previous studies have suggested that nestlings are preferentially fed upon relative to adults in the nest, and other studies have reported a preference for adults over nestlings. We directly tested the feeding preference of nestling and adult birds in a natural setting, introducing mosquitoes into nesting boxes containing eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis), collecting blood-fed mosquitoes, and matching the source of mosquito blood meals to individual birds using microsatellite markers. Neither nestlings nor adults were fed upon to an extent significantly greater than would be predicted based upon their relative abundance in the nests, although feeding upon mothers decreased as the age of the nestlings increased.
Burkett-Cadena
Nathan D
ND
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
Ligon
Russell A
RA
Liu
Mark
M
Hassan
Hassan K
HK
Hill
Geoffrey E
GE
Eubanks
Micky D
MD
Unnasch
Thomas R
TR
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000635:transmission; D003465:Culex / Q000502:physiology*; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology*; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary
D004247:DNA