Bloodmeal Identification for Mosquitoes in Lake County
Poster Number
14C
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Tara Thiemann
Faculty Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract/Artist Statement
With increasing prevalence of vector-borne diseases in the United States, it is important to study feeding patterns of mosquitoes. Coquillettidia perturbans, Culex thriambus, Culex pipiens, and Culiseta particeps are mosquito species found in Lake County (Northern California). These species are all potential vectors for human diseases such as West Nile Virus and certain types of Encephalitis. The threat of these mosquitoes to the human population in California can be determined by examining their feeding preferences. In this study, mosquitoes were collected by vacuum or CO2 traps from February to October each year 2014-2017. DNA was extracted from mosquito bloodmeals, and a nested polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify the barcoding region of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome C Oxidase 1. After confirming amplification with gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing was performed on the PCR products. The sequences were then submitted to the BoldSystems online database to identify the host species. Out of 156 samples, 74% were successfully identified. 95% of samples identified from Culiseta particeps mosquitoes were mammals. Culex thriambus and Culex pipiens fed solely on avian species while Coquillettidia perturbans and Culex erythrothorax fed only on mammals.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
28-4-2018 10:00 AM
End Date
28-4-2018 12:00 PM
Bloodmeal Identification for Mosquitoes in Lake County
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
With increasing prevalence of vector-borne diseases in the United States, it is important to study feeding patterns of mosquitoes. Coquillettidia perturbans, Culex thriambus, Culex pipiens, and Culiseta particeps are mosquito species found in Lake County (Northern California). These species are all potential vectors for human diseases such as West Nile Virus and certain types of Encephalitis. The threat of these mosquitoes to the human population in California can be determined by examining their feeding preferences. In this study, mosquitoes were collected by vacuum or CO2 traps from February to October each year 2014-2017. DNA was extracted from mosquito bloodmeals, and a nested polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify the barcoding region of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome C Oxidase 1. After confirming amplification with gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing was performed on the PCR products. The sequences were then submitted to the BoldSystems online database to identify the host species. Out of 156 samples, 74% were successfully identified. 95% of samples identified from Culiseta particeps mosquitoes were mammals. Culex thriambus and Culex pipiens fed solely on avian species while Coquillettidia perturbans and Culex erythrothorax fed only on mammals.