A5089972373- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Malaria Research and Control
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Impact of Light on Environment and Health
- Research on scale insects
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Urban Transport and Accessibility
- Light effects on plants
- Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
The Ohio State University
2015-2025
Ohio University
2018
Schlumberger (Ireland)
2015
Tsetse flies are the sole vectors of human African trypanosomiasis throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Both sexes adult tsetse feed exclusively on blood and contribute to disease transmission. Notable differences between other include obligate microbial symbioses, viviparous reproduction, lactation. Here, we describe sequence annotation 366-megabase Glossina morsitans genome. Analysis genome 12,308 predicted protein-encoding genes led multiple discoveries, including chromosomal integrations...
The short day lengths of late summer are used to program the overwintering adult diapause (dormancy) Northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens. Here, we investigated role clock genes in initiating this and asked whether circadian cycling gene expression persists during diapause. We provide evidence that major continue cycle throughout after has been terminated. RNA interference (RNAi) was knock down core then assess impact various on ability females enter RNAi directed against negative...
For many insects, diapause is the primary mechanism for surviving unfavorable seasons. Some aspects of regulation are well known, but we still lack a mechanistic understanding molecular mechanisms that control pathway. Accumulating evidence suggests microRNAs regulate in evolutionarily diverse insect species including flesh flies and moths, and, it likely multiple characteristics diapause, arrested egg follicle development fat hypertrophy, females Northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens. To...
Abstract Artificial light at night (ALAN) is an increasingly important form of environmental disturbance as it alters Light:Dark cycles that regulate daily and seasonal changes in physiology phenology. The Northern house mosquito ( Culex pipiens ) the tiger Aedes albopictus enter overwintering dormancy known diapause cued by short days. These two species differ strategy: Cx. adult females while Ae. a maternally-programmed, egg diapause. Previous studies found ALAN inhibits both species, but...
The Northern House mosquito, Culex pipiens, is an important disease vector, and females are capable of surviving the winter in a state overwintering diapause. This species' diapause response has been extensively studied, recent evidence suggests that circadian clock involved measuring seasonal changes daylength to initiate response. However, differences activity diapausing non-diapausing Cx. pipiens have not thoroughly investigated. Additionally, findings indicate artificial light at night...
Females of the northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens L., are capable entering an adult overwintering diapause characterized by arrested ovarian development, enhanced stress tolerance, and elevated lipid stores. In contrast, southern quinquefasciatus Say, lacks this capacity is therefore unable to survive harsh winters found in regions North America. These two species forming fertile hybrids United States, yet characteristics these have not been extensively investigated. We crossed Cx. from...
The soft bodies and aquatic habitats of mosquito larvae pose a challenge for applying standard RNA-interference techniques to silence expression target genes. Here we describe novel technique delivering double-stranded RNA into by exploiting the larva's dehydration tolerance. Larvae were dehydrated in NaCl solution then rehydrated water containing RNA. Using Culex pipiens (L.) demonstrated principle knocking down gene encoding heat shock protein 90. knockdown persisted through pupal stage...
Culex mosquitoes are the primary vectors of West Nile virus (WNV) across USA. Understanding when these active indicates times WNV transmission can occur. This study determined proportion female that were in diapause during fall and winter they terminated began blood feeding spring.Mosquitoes collected from parks using various traps and/or aspirated culverts Franklin County, Ohio, October to mid-May 2019 2022. morphologically identified species, ovaries females dissected determine their...
Abstract We evaluated miRNA and mRNA expression differences in head tissues between avid-biting vs. reluctant-biting Aedes albopictus (Skuse) females from a single population over 20-min timescale. found no avid reluctant biters, indicating that translational modulation of blood-feeding behavior occurs on longer timescale than transcription. In contrast, we detected 19 differentially expressed mRNAs. Of the genes at level A. albopictus, 9 are implicated olfaction, consistent with...
Xylophagous termites possess symbiotic bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2). Although N2 fixation is central to termite nutrition and ecologically important, it energetically costly. Using stable isotopes, we tested the hypothesis would decrease in workers of eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar, which were exposed high diets. To calculate isotope discrimination factor occurring as a result digestion, ∆dig, occurs fixation, ∆fix, was inhibited via force feeding...
After overcoming the significant obstacle of getting adult Culex mosquitoes to reproduce and blood feed in laboratory, maintaining a laboratory colony is much more achievable. However, great care attention detail are still required ensure that larvae have adequate food without being overwhelmed by bacterial growth. Additionally, achieving appropriate densities pupae essential, as overcrowding delays development, prevents from successfully emerging adults, and/or reduces fecundity alters sex...
Culex mosquitoes transmit several pathogens to humans and animals, including viruses that cause West Nile fever St. Louis encephalitis filarial nematodes canine heartworm elephantiasis. Additionally, these have a cosmopolitan distribution provide interesting models for understanding population genetics, overwintering dormancy, disease transmission, other important ecological questions. However, unlike Aedes produce eggs can be stored weeks at time, no obvious “stopping” point exists in the...