Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Gilchrist, Sandra

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

The container mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is the major vector of several emerging arboviruses affecting human health. Adult mosquito life history traits are largely determined by factors of the larval environment, including the composition of nutrients provided by detritus within the system. Within container systems, animal (dead insects) and plant detritus form the basal nutrients for food webs that support mosquito growth and development. Animal detritus is high in nitrogen, a limiting growth factor for organisms. Plant detritus is low in nitrogen, making it less nutritious. Here we investigate how heterogeneity in carbon and nitrogen affect Zika virus vector competency of Florida Ae. aegypti. Ten treatment groups were designed to represent a range of ratios of animal:plant detritus available within larval Ae. aegypti habitats. Differences in life history traits were recorded and adult mosquitoes were allowed to ingest Zika virus infected blood and tested for disseminated infection and transmission potential. The results of this study are relevant to understanding future outbreaks of disease and potential methods of prevention.

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