Diurnal fluctuating temperature and larval resource level interact to influence the life history and behaviour of disease-transmitting mosquitoes

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Parasites Vectors

Publication Date

2-21-2026

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The global rise in temperature has seen a geographical range increase in mosquito populations and disease transmission. Temperature affects life history traits of mosquitoes, and hence, population dynamics and vectorial capacity. In addition, food resource abundance, required for biomass and somatic energy during mosquito larval development is dependent on temperature. How the interaction between temperature and food resources affects the life history traits of aquatic stages, and subsequent carry-over effects to the adult stage, under simulated natural conditions, remains underexplored. METHODS: A comparative assessment of the interactive effect of diurnal fluctuating temperature and resource level during larval development on life history traits of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and three malaria vectors, Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles arabiensis was conducted. Moreover, carry-over effects on teneral adults including, metabolic reserves and propensity to feed were evaluated on the four species under similar abiotic conditions. A total of 2700 larvae of each species were reared under three fluctuating temperature regimes, and maintained on different resource levels. A mixed-effects Cox regression model was used to determine effects of the two environmental factors on the time to adult emergence, and adult survival. Generalised linear mixed-effect model with a binomial error structure was used to elucidate effects of abiotic stress on feeding, whereas linear-mixed effects analysis of variance, was used to estimate the effects of temperature and resource level on adult size and metabolic reserves. Aligned Rank Transform analysis of variance was used to determine effects of abiotic stress on level of feeding. Correlation between size and survival of starved adults was determined by multivariate analysis using Spearman's rank correlation and linear regression. RESULTS: Time to adult emergence shortened with increasing temperature and resource level. Accelerated adult emergence was associated with reduced adult size and survival at high temperature, in a resource-dependent manner. Metabolic macronutrient reserves carried over into teneral adults were differentially regulated by temperature and larval resource level, in a species dependent manner. Teneral females engaged in feeding on honey or blood depending on the two abiotic stressors, and species. CONCLUSIONS: Temperature and resource level during larval development differentially affects life history traits of disease-transmitting mosquitoes, which have ramifications on population size, as well as disease transmission dynamics.

Keywords

And resource, Carry, Dependent life history traits, Mosquitoes, Over effects, Temperature

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS