Search

Summary: Mosquito behavioral assays are an important component in vector research and control tool development. Here, we present a protocol for rearing Anopheles mosquitoes, performing host-seeking behavioral bioassays, and collecting 3D flight tracks in a large wind tunnel. We describe steps for setting up host-seeking landing assays, both as a non-choice and as a dual-choice assay, and analyzing flight tracks. This protocol can be applied in the research of several behavioral traits, including nectar seeking, resting, mating, and oviposition behavior.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Carnaghi et al.1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Summary: Malaria prevention relies on mosquito control interventions that use insecticides and exploit mosquito behavior. The rise of insecticide resistance and changing transmission dynamics urgently demand vector control innovation. To identify behavioral traits that could be incorporated into such tools, we investigated the flight and landing response of Anopheles coluzzii to human-like host cues. We show that landing rate is directly proportional to the surface area of thermal stimulus, whereas close-range orientation is modulated by both thermal and visual inputs. We modeled anopheline eye optics to theorize the distance at which visual targets can be detected under a range of conditions, and experimentally established mosquito preference for landing on larger targets, although landing density is greater on small targets. Target orientation does not affect landing rate; however, vertical targets can be resolved at greater distance than horizontal targets of the same size. Mosquito traps for vector control could be significantly enhanced by incorporating these features.