Effects of Preexposure to DEET on the Downstream Blood-Feeding Behaviors of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes.
Mosquito behavior is heavily influenced by the chemical molecules in the environment. This knowledge can be used to modify insect behaviors; particularly to reduce vector-host contact as a powerful method for disease prevention. N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) is the most widely used insect repellent in the market and an excellent example of a chemical that has been used to modify insect behavior for disease prevention. However, genetic insensitivity and habituation in Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquitoes after preexposure to DEET have been reported. In this study, we investigated the effect of preexposure to DEET on the downstream blood-feeding behavior of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and the duration of the effect. We exposed mosquitoes to four different DEET concentrations: 0.10, 0.12, 0.14, and 0.16% for 10 min then allowed the mosquitoes to blood-feed on an artificial blood-feeding system either immediately or after being held for 1, 3, 6, or 24 h following DEET exposure. We found that preexposing Ae. aegypti mosquitoes to 0.14 or 0.16% DEET lowered their blood engorgement level, but did not alter their landing and probing behavior when compared to the control test populations. The reduction in complete blood-feeding was observed at all time periods tested, but was only statistically significant at 3 and 6 h after the preexposure process. Because reduction in blood meal has been associated with increased refeeding, future studies analyzing the effect of this behavior using arbovirus-infected mosquitoes are needed to address the concern of potentially increased vectorial capacity.
Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814 (victor.sugiharto@usuhs.edu; jgrieco@nd.edu; jittawadee.murphy@usuhs.edu; cara.olsen@usuhs.edu; ann.stewart@usuhs.edu; nachee@nd.edu).
Victor A
VA
Sugiharto
Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814 (victor.sugiharto@usuhs.edu; jgrieco@nd.edu; jittawadee.murphy@usuhs.edu; cara.olsen@usuhs.edu; ann.stewart@usuhs.edu; nachee@nd.edu).|Current Address: Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, 239 Galvin Life Science Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556.
John P
JP
Grieco
Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814 (victor.sugiharto@usuhs.edu; jgrieco@nd.edu; jittawadee.murphy@usuhs.edu; cara.olsen@usuhs.edu; ann.stewart@usuhs.edu; nachee@nd.edu).
Jittawadee R
JR
Murphy
Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814 (victor.sugiharto@usuhs.edu; jgrieco@nd.edu; jittawadee.murphy@usuhs.edu; cara.olsen@usuhs.edu; ann.stewart@usuhs.edu; nachee@nd.edu).
Cara H
CH
Olsen
Joint Project Manager Medical Countermeasure Systems, Fort Detrick, MD 21702 (michelle.g.colaciccomayhugh.mil@mail.mil).
Michelle G
MG
Colacicco-Mayhugh
Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814 (victor.sugiharto@usuhs.edu; jgrieco@nd.edu; jittawadee.murphy@usuhs.edu; cara.olsen@usuhs.edu; ann.stewart@usuhs.edu; nachee@nd.edu).
V Ann
VA
Stewart
Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814 (victor.sugiharto@usuhs.edu; jgrieco@nd.edu; jittawadee.murphy@usuhs.edu; cara.olsen@usuhs.edu; ann.stewart@usuhs.edu; nachee@nd.edu).|Current Address: Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, 239 Galvin Life Science Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556.
Nicole L
NL
Achee
Department of Vector Assessment, Virology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702 (mturell@erols.com).
Michael J
MJ
Turell

          Aedes aegypti
        ; DEET; behavior; blood feeding