A 3D Analysis of Flight Behavior of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto Malaria Mosquitoes in Response to Human Odor and Heat

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062995
• Publication Date: 2013-05-03T05:22:28Z
• Authors: Jeroen Spitzen; Cornelis W. Spoor; Fabrizio Grieco; Cajo ter Braak; Jacob Beeuwkes; Sjaak P. van Brugge; Sander Kranenbarg; Lucas P. J. J. No...; Johan L. van Leeuwen; Willem Takken
• Keywords: Anopheles gambiae; Crosswind

Female mosquitoes use odor and heat as cues to navigate a suitable landing site on their blood host. The way these affect flight behavior modulate anemotactic responses, however, is poorly understood. We studied in-flight behavioral responses of females the nocturnal malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto human heat. Flight-path characteristics in wind tunnel (flow 20 cm/s) were quantified three dimensions. With only stimulus (control), short close straight upwind flights recorded. alone, similarly direct. presence odor, contrast, caused prolonged highly convoluted patterns. combination odor+heat resulted longer with more landings source than either cue alone. Flight speed was greatest (mean groundspeed 27.2 for odor+heat. Odor alone decreased when arrived within 30 cm whereas exposed maintained high while flying plume, until they 15 source. Human evoked an increase crosswind additive effect at range (<15 cm) This found both horizontal vertical components. However, nevertheless made progress generated suggesting that scan environment intensively towards These observations may help improve efficacy trapping systems by (1) optimizing release relative trap entry (2) adding which enhances response.