title: Changes in Anopheles funestus biting behavior following universal coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Benin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Behavioral modification of malaria vectors in response to vector control methods is of great concern. We investigated whether full coverage of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs) may induce a switch in biting behavior in Anopheles funestus, a major malaria vector in Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human-landing collections were conducted indoor and outdoor in 2 villages (Lokohouè and Tokoli) in Benin before and 1 year and 3 years after implementation of universal LLIN coverage. Proportion of outdoor biting (POB) and median catching times (MCT) were compared. The resistance of A. funestus to deltamethrin was monitored using bioassays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCT of A. funestus switched from 2 AM in Lokohoué and 3 AM in Tokoli to 5 AM after 3 years (Mann-Whitney U test, P < .0001). In Tokoli, POB increased from 45% to 68.1% (odds ratio = 2.55; 95 confidence interval = 1.72-3.78; P < .0001) 1 year after the universal coverage, whereas POB was unchanged in Lokohoué. In Lokohoué, however, the proportion of A. funestus that bites after 6 am was 26%. Bioassays showed no resistance to deltamethrin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence for a switch in malaria vectors' biting behavior after the implementation of LLIN at universal coverage. These findings might have direct consequences for malaria control in Africa and highlighted the need for alternative strategies for better targeting malaria vectors.
authors.affiliation: MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-UM1-UM2), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moiroux
authors.forename: Marinely B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: Cédric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pennetier
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Elanga
authors.forename: Armel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Djènontin
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chandre
authors.forename: Innocent
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Djègbé
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guis
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Corbel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001541:Benin; D001681:Biological Assay; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D007305:Insecticide Resistance; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008288:Malaria / Q000635:transmission; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D009570:Nitriles; D011722:Pyrethrins; C017180:decamethrin