Male accessory gland substances from Aedes albopictus affect the locomotor activity of Aedes aegypti females.
Dengue is one of the world's most important mosquito-borne diseases and is usually transmitted by one of two vector species: Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus . These two diurnal mosquitoes are frequently found coexisting in similar habitats, enabling interactions between adults, such as cross-mating. The objective of this study was to assess cross-mating between Ae. aegypti females and Ae. albopictus males under artificial conditions and evaluate the locomotor activity of Ae. aegypti virgin females injected with male accessory gland (MAG) homogenates to infer the physiological and behavioural responses to interspecific mating. After seven days of exposure, 3.3-16% of Ae. aegypti females mated with Ae. albopictus males. Virgin Ae. aegypti females injected with conspecific and heterospecific MAGs showed a general decrease in locomotor activity compared to controls and were refractory to mating with conspecific males. The reduction in diurnal locomotor activity induced by injections of conspecific or heterospecific MAGs is consistent with regulation of female reproductive activities by male substances, which are capable of sterilising female Ae. aegypti through satyrisation by Ae. albopictus.
Programa de Computação Científica, Programa de Computação Científica.
Tamara Nunes
TN
Lima-Camara
Programa de Computação Científica, Programa de Computação Científica.
Claudia Torres
CT
Codeço
Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários, Laboratório de Transmissores de Hematozoários.
Nildimar Alves
NA
Honório
Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Brasil, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Rafaela Vieira
RV
Bruno
Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Brasil, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Alexandre Afranio
AA
Peixoto
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory,, University of Florida, USA, Vero BeachFlorida, Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, Vero Beach, Florida, USA.
Leon Philip
LP
Lounibos
D000330:Aedes / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D003715:Dengue / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D007314:Insemination / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity