Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #324154
Title: Potential for Psorophora columbiae and Psorophora ciliata mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) to transmit Rift Valley fever virus

Author
item TURELL, MICHAEL - Department Of Defense
item Gibson, Seth
item Aldridge, Robert
item XUE, RUI-DE - Anastasia Mosquito Control District
item SMITH, MIKE - Anastasia Mosquito Control District
item Cohnstaedt, Lee
item Linthicum, Kenneth - Ken

Submitted to: Journal of Medical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/17/2015
Publication Date: 11/1/2015
Citation: Turell, M.J., Britch, S.C., Aldridge, R.L., Xue, R., Smith, M.L., Cohnstaedt, L.W., Linthicum, K. 2015. Potential for Psorophora columbiae and Psorophora ciliata mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) to transmit Rift Valley fever virus. Journal of Medical Entomology. 52(6):1111-1116.

Interpretive Summary: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes in Africa and Middle East. Numerous mosquito species transmit RVFV in nature, and many species have been demonstrated as competent vectors in the laboratory. In this study, we evaluated two species of mosquitoes that were collected in North America for their ability to transmit RVFV. We found that one of these mosquito species, Ps. columbiae, might play a role in amplifying RVFV should that virus be introduced into an area where this species is common.

Technical Abstract: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) continues to pose a threat to much of the world. Unlike many arboviruses, numerous mosquito species have been associated with RVFV in nature, and many species have been demonstrated as competent vectors in the laboratory. In this study, we evaluated two field-collected Psorophora species, Psorophora columbiae (Dyar and Knab) and Psorophora ciliata (Fabricius) for their potential to transmit RVFV in North America. Both species were susceptible to infection after feeding on a hamster with a viremia of 107 plaque-forming units/ml, with infection rates of 65 and 83% for Ps. columbiae and Ps. ciliata, respectively (with nearly all specimens becoming infected when feeding on a hamster with a higher viremia). However, both species had a significant salivary gland barrier as only 2/35 Ps. columbiae and 0/3 Ps. ciliata with a disseminated infection transmitted virus by bite. Despite the presence of the salivary gland barrier, due to the very high population that can occur and its propensity to feed on large mammals, Ps. columbiae might play a role in amplifying RVFV should that virus be introduced into an area where this species is common.