Aedes triseriatus, the treehole mosquito, is the primary vector of La Crosse virus (LAC) cause of the most common form of encephalitis in the midwest. Both control and monitoring of this mosquito are exceptionally difficult. Continued genetic and ecological research on vector competence are proposed, with the hope than an """"""""Achilles heel"""""""" can be exploited. Research includes a sibling species, Ae. hendersoni (non-vector of LAC), Ae. brelandi, Ae. zoosophus and Ae. atropalpus. (1) Ability to transmit LAC differs greatly in different populations (10-90%). Oral, transovarial and venereal transmission will be analyzed genetically; virus-refactory strains with genetic markers will be developed. Studies on pathology (EM, FA), salivation rate, biting behavior and fecundity will be used to assess the cost of viral infection to the mosquito. Effect of environmental stress on transmission rate will be determined. (2) Studies on genetic structure involve further isolation of biochemical and morphological mutants, as well as improvement of linkage maps. Physiological traits (barriers to LAC infection, inability to diapause in the egg. resistance to drying) will be located on the linkage map. Electrophoretic analysis of clinical variation and sibling species differences will be compared via isozyme allele frequency. Effect of breeding system will be determined in inbred lines (F10 + of brother-sister mating). (3) Ecological studies will concentrate on population dynamics and productivity of mosquitoes that breed in discarded tires. Strains with rare isozyme alleles will be used to trace field dispersal. Since virtually nothing is known of field bionomics of Ae. hendersoni, we will study this species in the forest canopy via high towers. Tire productivity and adult dispersal of Ae. atropalpus will be followed. Finally, we will try to develop improved capture methods for adults. (5) Biological control laboratory experiments and field trials will be continued with predatory mosquitoes, Toxorhynchites sp. and Anopheles barberi. Control potential of a gregarine protozoan parasite of the larval midgut, Ascogrenarina, will be determined. Larval competition experiments will be undertaken with a female-sterile mutant of Aedes aegypti; this mutant absorbs the available food, causing Ae. triseriatus to starve. (5) Our Stock Center will continue to maintain 40 species and 180 strains and to furnish them to other laboratories. Finally Ae. hendersoni will be colonized (without forced-mating) for the first time.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
4R37AI002753-35
Application #
2057727
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Project Start
1979-01-01
Project End
1998-12-31
Budget Start
1994-01-01
Budget End
1994-12-31
Support Year
35
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Notre Dame
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
824910376
City
Notre Dame
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
46556
Blackmore, Carina G M; Grimstad, Paul R (2008) Evaluation of the eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus as an amplifying vertebrate host for Cache Valley virus (Bunyaviridae) in Indiana. J Wildl Dis 44:188-92
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Anderson, Justin R; Schneider, Jennifer R; Grimstad, Paul R et al. (2005) Quantitative genetics of vector competence for La Crosse virus and body size in Ochlerotatus hendersoni and Ochlerotatus triseriatus interspecific hybrids. Genetics 169:1529-39
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Blackmore, M S; Lord, C C (2000) The relationship between size and fecundity in Aedes albopictus. J Vector Ecol 25:212-7
Swanson, J; Lancaster, M; Anderson, J et al. (2000) Overwintering and establishment of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in an urban La Crosse virus enzootic site in Illinois. J Med Entomol 37:454-60

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