Grass pollen affects survival and development of larval Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae)

Nutrients in breeding sites are critical for the survival and development of malaria mosquitoes, having a direct impact on vectorial capacity. Yet, there is a limited understanding about the natural larval diet and its impact on the individual fitness of mosquitoes. Recent studies have shown that gravid Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae) are attracted by and oviposit in grass-associated habitats. The pollen provided by these grasses is a potential source of nutrients for the larvae. Here, we assess the effect of Typha latifolia L. (Poales: Typhaceae), Echinochloa pyramidalis Lamarck, Pennisetum setaceum Forsskål, and Zea mays L. pollen on larval survival and rate of development in An. arabiensis under laboratory conditions. In addition, we characterize the carbon to nitrogen ratio and the size of pollen grains as a measure of diet quality. Carbon-rich pollen with a small grain size (T. latifolia and P. setaceum; 9.7 ± 0.3 × 103 and 5.5 ± 0.2 × 104 µm3, respectively) resulted in enhanced rates of development of An. arabiensis. In contrast, the larva fed on the nitrogen-rich control diet (TetraMin) was slower to develop, but demonstrated the highest larval survival. Larvae fed on carbon-rich and large-grained Z. mays pollen (4.1 ± 0.2 × 105 µm3) survived at similar levels as those fed on the control diet and also took a longer time to develop compared with larvae fed on the other pollens. While males and females did not appear to develop differently on the different pollen diets, males consistently emerged faster than their female counterparts. These results are discussed in relation to integrated vector management

The role of grass volatiles on oviposition site selection by Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles coluzzii

Background: The reproductive success and population dynamics, of Anopheles malaria mosquitoes is strongly influenced by the oviposition site selection of gravid females. Mosquitoes select oviposition sites at different spatial scales, starting with selecting a habitat in which to search. This study utilizes the association of larval abundance in the field with natural breeding habitats, dominated by various types of wild grasses, as a proxy for oviposition site selection by gravid mosquitoes. Moreover, the role of olfactory cues emanating from these habitats in the attraction and oviposition stimulation of females was analysed. Methods: The density of Anopheles larvae in breeding sites associated with Echinochloa pyramidalis, Echinochloa stagnina, Typha latifolia and Cyperus papyrus, was sampled and the larvae identified to species level. Headspace volatile extracts of the grasses were collected and used to assess behavioural attraction and oviposition stimulation of gravid Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes in wind tunnel and two-choice oviposition assays, respectively. The ability of the mosquitoes to differentiate among the grass volatile extracts was tested in multi-choice tent assays. Results: Anopheles arabiensis larvae were the most abundant species found in the various grass-associated habitats. The larval densities described a hierarchical distribution, with Poaceae (Echinochloa pyramidalis and Echinochloa stagnina)-associated habitat sites demonstrating higher densities than that of Typha-associated sites, and where larvae were absent from Cyperus-associated sites. This hierarchy was maintained by gravid An. arabiensis and An. coluzzii mosquitoes in attraction, oviposition and multi-choice assays to grass volatile extracts. Conclusions: The demonstrated hierarchical preference of gravid An. coluzzii and An. arabiensis for grass volatiles indicates that vegetation cues associated with larval habitats are instrumental in the oviposition site choice of the malaria mosquitoes. Identifying volatile cues from grasses that modulate gravid malaria mosquito behaviours has distinct potential for the development of tools to be used in future monitoring and control methods

Effective utilization period of long-lasting insecticide treated nets against Malaria vector mosquitoes and the species composition in North West Ethiopia

The study was conducted to evaluate the bioefficacy of long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLITNs) (PermaNet®2.0) over time and the species composition of Anopheles mosquitoes around Bahir Dar. The space spray collection method was used to determine the species composition of indoor resting Anopheles mosquitoes in the study area. Field collected samples of household used PermaNet® 2.0 were tested for their bioefficacy against laboratory reared An. arabiensis following the World Health Organisation standard cone test protocol. The study revealed that 75% of Anopheles mosquitoes collected from indoor location in the study area was An. arabiensis indicating that this species was the primary potential vector of malaria in the study area. The mean percentage knockdown effect of PermaNet® 2.0 up to two years of household usage against females An. arabiensis was 100%. However, this effect decreased to 44.5% after three and half years of household use. There was no significant difference (P > 0.5) in the mean percent mortality caused by PermaNet® 2.0 after six months and two years household usage (92.5% and 84%, respectively). However, under laboratory conditions there was recorded a markedly significant reduction (P < 0.01) in the mean percent mortality of females An. arabiensis exposed to PermaNet® 2.0 that has been used for three and half years (27%). Close monitoring on the feeding and resting behavior of malaria vector mosquitoes and awareness creation on the proper utilization of the bed net need to be conducted to check and maintain its feasibility as part of integrated malaria vector management. Keywords/phrases: Anopheles arabiensis, Bioefficacy, Long-lasting insecticide treated nets, PermaNetEthiop. J. Biol. Sci., 10(1): 103-110, 201