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Open Access Publications from the University of California

Scholarly Works (2 results)

  • Thesis
  • Peer Reviewed
UC Santa Cruz Electronic Theses and Dissertations (2012)

Transmission of vector-borne disease is driven by contact rates between vectors and hosts. However, little is known about what drives fine-scale variation in mosquito host seeking behavior and the resulting consequences for contact patterns between mosquitoes and their hosts. We examined the roosting behavior of seven avian hosts of West Nile virus (WNV) and patterns of mosquito abundance among communal roost and non-communal roost sites and at different heights where birds roosted. We found some variation in roosting height among avian species coupled with increases in host-seeking mosquito densities higher in the canopy suggesting avian species experience differing vector contact rates influenced by their preferred roosting height. Prior research suggests host-seeking mosquito abundance increase with host group size, however in contrast to a priori predictions, we found significantly fewer host-seeking Culex mosquitoes at American robin communal roosts than non-communal roost sites, and far lower per capita biting mosquitoes and vector-host ratios at roost sites. Focusing specifically on American robins, the preferred host of Culex mosquitoes, our results suggest communal roosting behavior may reduce mosquito-biting rates on roosting individuals. Changes in American robin roosting behavior may partly explain previously observed seasonal changes in feeding patterns of Culex mosquitoes, which has direct implications for the transmission of WNV among birds and humans.

    Cover page: Avian Roosting Behavior and Vector-Host Contact Rates for West Nile Virus Hosts
    • Article
    • Peer Reviewed
    UC Santa Cruz Previously Published Works (2014)

    Background

    Extensive work has shown that vectors almost never feed at random. Often, a subset of individual hosts and host species are fed on much more frequently than expected from their abundance and this can amplify pathogen transmission. However, the drivers of variation in contact patterns between vectors and their hosts are not well understood, even in relatively well-studied systems such as West Nile virus (WNV).

    Methods

    We compared roosting height and roost aggregation size of seven avian host species of WNV with patterns of host-seeking mosquito (Culex pipiens) abundance at communal and non-communal roost sites.

    Results

    First, host-seeking mosquito abundance increased with height and paralleled increased mosquito feeding preferences on species roosting higher in the tree canopy. Second, there were several hundred-fold fewer mosquitoes per bird trapped at American robin (Turdus migratorius) communal roosts compared to non-communal roost sites, which could reduce transmission from and to this key amplifying host species. Third, seasonal changes in communal roost formation may partly explain observed seasonal changes in mosquito feeding patterns, including a decrease in feeding on communal roosting robins.

    Conclusions

    These results illustrate how variation in habitat use by hosts and vectors and social aggregation by hosts influence vector-host interactions and link the behavioral ecology of birds and the transmission of vector-borne diseases to humans.
      Cover page: Avian roosting behavior influences vector-host interactions for West Nile virus hosts
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