Publication Type
Journal Article
Journal Name
Current Opinion in Insect Science
Publication Date
12-1-2022
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses of medical importance. Behavioral and biological attributes contribute to its vectorial capacity. The mosquito domestic form, which resides outside Africa (Ae. aegypti aegypti (Aaa)), is considered to breed in artificial containers in and around homes and preferentially feeds on human blood but commonly indulges in a plant diet. Potential divergence in these attributes, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where Aaa coexists with the forest ecotype (Ae. aegypti formosus), should impact the vectoring ability and hence disease epidemiology. A summary of current knowledge on Ae. aegypti blood feeding, oviposition, and plant-feeding habits among SSA populations is provided in comparison with those in different geographies, globally. Emphasis is placed on improved understanding of the connection between changing subspecies adaptation in these traits and arbovirus disease risk in SSA in response to climate change and increasing urbanization, with the ultimate use of this information for effective disease control.
Keywords
Aedes aegypti subspecies, Aedes-borne viral diseases, Blood feeding, Oviposition, Plant feeding, sub-Saharan Africa
PubMed ID
36243315
Recommended Citation
Tchouassi, D., Agha, S., Villinger, J., Sang, R., & Torto, B. (2022). The distinctive bionomics of Aedes aegypti populations in Africa. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 54 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2022.100986