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Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are obligate parasites that infect a broad range of insect species. Host-seeking is a crucial step for EPN infection success and survival. Yet, the identity and ecological functions of chemicals involved in host-seeking by EPNs remain overlooked. In this review, we report known CO 2 , plant-derived and insect-derived cues shaping EPN host-seeking and recognition. Despite species-specific response to environmental cues, we highlight a hierarchical integration of chemicals by EPNs. We further emphasize the impact of EPN selection pressure, age, and experience on their responsiveness to infochemicals. Finally, we feature that EPN chemical ecology can translate into powerful sustainable strategies to control insect herbivores in agriculture., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nyssorhynchus darlingi (Root) is the dominant malaria vector in the Brazilian Amazon River basin, with additional Anophelinae Grassi species involved in local and regional transmission. Mosquito blood-feeding behavior is an essential component to define the mosquito-human contact rate and shape the transmission cycle of vector-borne diseases. However, there is little information on the host preferences and blood-feeding behavior of Anophelinae vectors in rural Amazonian landscapes. The barrier screen sampling (BSS) method was employed to sample females from 34 peridomestic habitats in 27 rural communities from 11 municipalities in the Brazilian Amazon states of Acre, Amazonas, Pará and Rondônia, from August 2015 to November 2017. Nyssorhynchus darlingi comprised 97.94% of the females collected resting on barrier screens, and DNA sequence comparison detected 9 vertebrate hosts species. The HBI index ranged from 0.03-1.00. Results revealed the plasticity of Ny. darlingi in blood-feeding on a wide range of mainly mammalian hosts. In addition, the identification of blood meal sources using silica-dried females is appropriate for studies of human malaria vectors in remote locations., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Vector-borne pathogens have been shown to influence behavioral and other traits of their hosts and vectors across multiple systems, frequently in ways that enhance transmission. In malaria pathosystems, Plasmodium parasites have been reported to alter mosquito physiology, fitness and host-seeking behavior. Such effects on vector behavior have obvious medical relevance given their potential to influence disease transmission. However, most studies detailing these effects have faced methodological limitations, including experiments limited to laboratory settings with model vector/pathogen systems. Some recent studies indicate that similar effects may not be observed with natural field populations; furthermore, it has been suggested that previously reported effects on vectors might be explained by immune responses elicited due to the use of pathogen-vector systems that are not co-evolved. In light of these developments, further work is needed to determine the validity of extrapolation from laboratory studies to field conditions and to understand how parasite effects on vectors affect transmission dynamics in real-world settings., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)