Frog Fondness: Bloodfeeding Patterns of Neoculex Mosquitoes

Poster Number

23

Lead Author Major

Biological Sciences and Bioengineering

Format

Poster Presentation

Faculty Mentor Name

Tara Thiemann

Faculty Mentor Department

Biological Sciences

Abstract/Artist Statement

Mosquito collection is an integral part of monitoring disease prevalence. Most standard trapping devices to capture mosquitoes utilize light sources or CO2 baited traps to capture hostseeking mosquitoes. Some species, however, are not attracted to these collection methods. In Lake County, California, three of these species exist as a part of the Neoculex group. A collective 228 mosquito samples, each belonging to one of three Neoculex species: Culex apicalis, Culex boharti, or Culex territans, were collected with a vacuum aspirator by the Lake County Vector Control District in 2014-2015. Following DNA extraction, a nested polymerase chain reaction was completed to amplify a 658 base pair region of the mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase I. The sequenced DNA were utilized to identify its respective source species. The results demonstrate a strong preference in feeding patterns for Pseudacris sierra, colloquially known as the Sierran Tree Frog. The feeding preference observed in this study can be exploited to create a more effective collection method for future detection efforts by utilizing frog calls and positive phonotaxis to capture these species for future monitoring efforts – which is critical since Culex apicalis has been detected carrying West Nile virus, and is capable of carrying malaria.

Location

DeRosa University Center, Ballroom

Start Date

30-4-2016 1:30 AM

End Date

30-4-2016 3:30 PM

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Apr 30th, 1:30 AM Apr 30th, 3:30 PM

Frog Fondness: Bloodfeeding Patterns of Neoculex Mosquitoes

DeRosa University Center, Ballroom

Mosquito collection is an integral part of monitoring disease prevalence. Most standard trapping devices to capture mosquitoes utilize light sources or CO2 baited traps to capture hostseeking mosquitoes. Some species, however, are not attracted to these collection methods. In Lake County, California, three of these species exist as a part of the Neoculex group. A collective 228 mosquito samples, each belonging to one of three Neoculex species: Culex apicalis, Culex boharti, or Culex territans, were collected with a vacuum aspirator by the Lake County Vector Control District in 2014-2015. Following DNA extraction, a nested polymerase chain reaction was completed to amplify a 658 base pair region of the mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase I. The sequenced DNA were utilized to identify its respective source species. The results demonstrate a strong preference in feeding patterns for Pseudacris sierra, colloquially known as the Sierran Tree Frog. The feeding preference observed in this study can be exploited to create a more effective collection method for future detection efforts by utilizing frog calls and positive phonotaxis to capture these species for future monitoring efforts – which is critical since Culex apicalis has been detected carrying West Nile virus, and is capable of carrying malaria.