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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #374318
Research Project: Integrated Pest Management of Mosquitoes and Biting Flies

Location: Mosquito and Fly Research

Title: Propagation of the microsporidian parasite Edhazardia aedis in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

Author
item GRISGBY, ANTHONY - The Ohio State University
item KELLY, BRENDAN - The Ohio State University
item Sanscrainte, Neil
item BECNEL, JAMES - Retired ARS Employee
item SHORT, SARAH - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: Journal of Visual Experiments
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/17/2020
Publication Date: 8/13/2020
Citation: Grisgby, A., Kelly, B., Sanscrainte, N.D., Becnel, J.J., Short, S.M. 2020. Propagation of the microsporidian parasite Edhazardia aedis in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Journal of Visual Experiments. (162), e61574. https://doi.org/10.3791/61574.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/61574

Interpretive Summary: A protocol to produce the microsporidian parasite Edhazardia aedis. The parasite is passed from one generation of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to the next by feeding spores at the larval stage which become infected and then pass the parasite onto offspring. This is collaborative research between The Ohio State University and USDA-ARS scientists in Gainesville, FL. This research is directly related to new strategies of control of the yellow fever mosquito, one of the most important vectors of Zika and Dengue.

Technical Abstract: Edhazardia aedis is a microsporidian parasite of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, a disease vector that transmits multiple arboviruses which cause millions of disease cases each year. E. aedis causes mortality and reduced reproductive fitness in the mosquito vector and has been explored for its potential as a biocontrol agent. The protocol we present for culturing E. aedis is based on its natural infection cycle, which involves both horizontal and vertical transmission at different life stages of the mosquito host. Ae. aegypti mosquitoes are exposed to spores in the larval stage. These infected larvae then mature into adults and transmit the parasite vertically to their offspring. Infected offspring are then used as a source of spores for future horizontal transmission. Culturing E. aedis can be challenging to the uninitiated given the complexities of the parasite’s life cycle, and this protocol provides detailed guidance and visual aids for clarification.