Most studies on the ability of insect populations to transmit pathogens consider only constant temperatures and do not account for realistic daily temperature fluctuations that can impact vector-pathogen interactions. Here, we show diurnal range (DTR) affects two important parameters underlying dengue virus (DENV) transmission by Aedes aegypti. In independent experiments using different DENV serotypes, mosquitoes were less susceptible infection died faster under larger DTR around same mean...

Abstract The ecology of mosquito vectors and malaria parasites affect the incidence, seasonal transmission geographical range malaria. Most models to date assume constant or linear responses parasite life‐history traits temperature, predicting optimal at 31 °C. These are odds with field observations dating back nearly a century. We build model more realistic ecological assumptions about thermal physiology insects. Our model, which includes empirically derived nonlinear responses, predicts 25...

Malaria transmission is strongly influenced by environmental temperature, but the biological drivers remain poorly quantified. Most studies analyzing malaria–temperature relations, including those investigating malaria risk and possible impacts of climate change, are based solely on mean temperatures extrapolate from functions determined under unrealistic laboratory conditions. Here, we present empirical evidence to show that, in addition temperatures, daily fluctuations temperature affect...

Ectotherms are considered to be particularly vulnerable climate warming. Descriptions of habitat temperatures and predicted changes in usually consider mean monthly, seasonal or annual conditions. Ectotherms, however, do not simply experience conditions, but exposed daily fluctuations temperatures. Here, we highlight how temperature fluctuation can generate 'realized' thermal reaction (fitness) norms that differ from the 'fundamental' derived under standard constant Using a mosquito as model...

The incubation period for malaria parasites within the mosquito is exquisitely temperature-sensitive, so that temperature a major determinant of risk. Epidemiological models are increasingly used to guide allocation disease control resources and assess likely impact climate change on global burdens. Temperature-based transmission generally incorporated into these using mean monthly temperatures, yet temperatures fluctuate throughout diurnal cycle. Here we use thermodynamic development model...

Biological control of malaria mosquitoes in Africa has rarely been used vector programs. Recent developments this field show that certain fungi are virulent to adult Anopheles mosquitoes. Practical delivery an entomopathogenic fungus infected and killed gambiae, Africa's main vector, was achieved rural African village houses. An entomological inoculation rate model suggests implementation method, even at the observed moderate coverage during a study Tanzania, would significantly reduce...

The parasites that cause malaria depend on Anopheles mosquitoes for transmission; because of this, mosquito population dynamics are a key determinant risk. Development and survival rates both the Plasmodium temperature, making this potential driver transmission. We developed temperature-dependent, stage-structured delayed differential equation model to better understand how climate determines Including full life cycle in reveals abundance is more sensitive temperature than previously thought...

Temperature is an important determinant of malaria transmission. Recent work has shown that mosquito and parasite biology are influenced not only by average temperature, but also the extent daily temperature variation. Here we examine how development within (Extrinsic Incubation Period) expected to vary over time space depending on diurnal range baseline mean in Kenya across Africa. Our results show under cool conditions, typical approach using monthly temperatures alone characterize...

Immature stages of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae experience high mortality, but its cause is poorly understood. Here we study impact rainfall, one abiotic factors to which immatures are frequently exposed, on their mortality.We show that rainfall significantly affected larval mosquitoes by flushing them out aquatic habitat and killing them. Outdoor experiments under natural conditions in Kenya revealed additional nightly loss larvae caused was average 17.5% for youngest (L1) 4.8%...

We mapped current and future temperature suitability for malaria transmission in Africa using a published model that incorporates nonlinear physiological responses to of the mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae parasite Plasmodium falciparum. found larger area currently experiences ideal than previously supposed. Under climate projections, we predicted modest increase overall suitable transmission, but net decrease most area. Combined with human population density our maps suggest areas...

Over the last 20 years, ecological immunology has provided much insight into how environmental factors shape host immunity and host–parasite interactions. Currently, application of this thinking to study mosquito been limited. Mechanistic investigations are nearly always conducted under one set conditions, yet vectors parasites associate in a variable world. We highlight temperature shapes cellular humoral immune responses (melanization, phagocytosis transcription genes) malaria vector,...

The relationship between mosquito development and temperature is one of the keys to understanding current future dynamics distribution vector-borne diseases such as malaria. Many process-based models use mean air estimate larval times, hence adult vector densities and/or malaria risk. Water temperatures in three different-sized water pools, well adjacent lowland highland sites western Kenya were monitored. Both fed into a widely-applied temperature-dependent model for Anopheles gambiae...

The development rate of parasites and pathogens within vectors typically increases with temperature. Accordingly, transmission intensity is generally assumed to be higher under warmer conditions. However, only one component parasite/pathogen life history there has been little research exploring the temperature sensitivity other traits that contribute intensity. Here, using a rodent malaria, we show vector competence (the maximum proportion infectious mosquitoes, which implicitly includes...

As the ecology of mosquito larvae can be complex there is need to develop a rational framework for undertaking larval ecological studies. Local environmental characteristics, such as altitude, climate and land use, significantly impact on phenology population dynamics larvae, indirectly affect mosquito-borne diseases. The aim this study was assess feasibility implementing an integrated approach source management under distinct settings. conducted in two highland villages one village, at...

The majority of the mosquito and parasite life-history traits that combine to determine malaria transmission intensity are temperature sensitive. In most cases, process-based models used estimate risk inform control prevention strategies utilize measures mean outdoor temperature. Evidence suggests, however, certain vectors can spend large parts their adult life resting indoors.If significant proportions mosquitoes indoors indoor conditions differ markedly from ambient conditions, simple use...

Temperature is a key environmental driver of Anopheles mosquito population dynamics; understanding its central role important for these malaria vectors. Mosquito responses to temperature fluctuations, though across the life history, are poorly understood at level. We used stage-structured, temperature-dependent delay-differential equations conduct detailed exploration impacts diurnal and annual fluctuations on dynamics. The model allows temperature-driven temporal changes in adult age...

Insecticide resistance poses a serious threat to insecticide-based interventions in Africa. There is fear that escalation could jeopardize malaria control efforts. Monitoring of cases aggravation intensity and its impact on the efficacy tools crucial predict consequences resistance.

Individual behavior, particularly choices about prevention, plays a key role in infection transmission of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Since the actual risk is often uncertain, individual behavior influenced by perceived risk. A low perception likely to diminish use preventive measures (behavior). If good indicator risk, then it has important implications context disease elimination. However, more research needed improve our understanding human transmission. The objective this study explore...

Water temperature is an important determinant in many aquatic biological processes, including the growth and development of malaria mosquito (Anopheles arabiensis A. gambiae) immatures. turbidity affects water temperature, as suspended particles a column absorb scatter sunlight hence determine extinction solar radiation. To get better understanding relationship between series semi-natural larval habitats (diameter 0.32 m, depth 0.16 m) with increasing was created. Here we show that at midday...

Extrinsic environmental factors influence the distribution and population dynamics of many organisms, including insects that are concern for human health agriculture. This is particularly true vector‐borne infectious diseases like malaria, which a major source morbidity mortality in humans. Understanding mechanistic links between environment processes these key to predicting consequences climate change on transmission developing effective interventions. An important measure intensity disease...

Insecticides are critical components of malaria control programmes. In a variety insect species, temperature plays fundamental role in determining the outcome insecticide exposure. However, surprisingly little is known about how affects efficacy chemical interventions against vectors.Anopheles stephensi, with no recent history exposure, were exposed to organophosphate malathion or pyrethroid permethrin at 12, 18, 22, 26°C, using WHO tube resistance-monitoring assay. To evaluate effect...

It is anticipated that malaria elimination efforts in Africa will be hampered by increasing resistance to the limited arsenal of insecticides approved for use public health. However, insecticide susceptibility status vector populations evaluated under standard insectary test conditions can give a false picture threat, as thermal environment which insect and interact plays significant role toxicity. The effect temperature on expression WHO phenotype was examined using Anopheles arabiensis...