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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 #375398
Research Project: Integrated Pest Management of Mosquitoes and Biting Flies

Location: Mosquito and Fly Research

Title: A survey of chemoreceptive responses on different mosquito appendages

Author
item YANG, LIU - University Of Florida
item AGRAMONTE, NATASHA - University Of Florida
item Linthicum, Kenneth - Ken
item BLOOMQUIST, JEFFREY - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Medical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/2/2020
Publication Date: 8/2/2020
Citation: Yang, L., Agramonte, N., Linthicum, K., Bloomquist, J.R. 2020. A survey of chemoreceptive responses on different mosquito appendages. Journal of Medical Entomology. 58(1):475-479. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaa154.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaa154

Interpretive Summary: Mosquitoes transmit many human disease pathogens, including yellow fever, Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. Insect repellents play an important role in helping prevent and control the outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases by inhibiting bites. Mosquitoes sense specific cues (i.e. odors and tastes) with special cells called chemoreceptors to seek hosts. Olfactory chemoreceptors predominate on the antennae but have also been reported on the mouthparts and other appendages. In this study, we measure electrophysiological impulses in Aedes aegypti mosquito antennae, mouthparts, leg tarsi, and wings during exposure to a variety of insect repellent and attractant compounds. Antennae and mouthparts showed nearly identical response patterns to all tested compounds, and their rank orders of effectiveness were like those of fore- and mid-leg tarsi. Hindleg tarsi only responded to one exceptionally strong chemical, indicating that the hind legs are not as chemoreceptive. Wings responded to a range of odorants, but with a different rank order.

Technical Abstract: Mosquitoes serve as transmission vectors of pathogens causing human and animal diseases, including malaria, dengue and West Nile fever. Research on the functions of insect chemoreceptors have primarily focused on antennae (olfactory receptors) and mouthparts (gustatory receptors). However, chemoreceptive sensilla are also present on other appendages, such as the leg tarsi and the anterior wing margin, and their specific roles in chemoreception and mosquito behavior remain largely unknown. In this study, electrophysiological analyses in an electroantennogram recording format were performed on Aedes aegypti antennae, mouthparts, tarsi, and wings during exposure to a variety of insect repellent and attractant compounds. The results provide evidence that the tarsi and wings can sense chemicals in a gaseous form, and there were different responses to different odors on different appendages. The most consistent and strongest response occurred when exposed to triethylamine. Antennae and mouthparts showed nearly identical responses pattern to all tested compounds, and their rank orders of effectiveness were similar to those of fore- and mid-leg tarsi. Hindleg tarsi only responded to TEA, indicating that the hind legs are not as chemoreceptive. Wings responded to a range of odorants, but with a different rank order and voltage amplitude. Insights into the function of these organs in insect chemoreception will be discussed.