Both consumptive and non-consumptive effects of predators impact mosquito populations

[AmyStrange]

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Both consumptive and non-consumptive effects of predators impact mosquito populations and have implications for disease transmission

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FROM: https://www.space.com/17688-voyager-1.html

Disease predictions can be improved by factoring in mosquito predators
by Hayley Dunning, Imperial College London (2022-01-20)

The way mosquitoes react to predators should be included in disease models, say researchers behind a new study.

They say the information can improve predictions of when and where there might be high numbers of human infections of mosquito-borne diseases. The research is led by Imperial College London and Pennsylvania State University scientists and published today in eLife.

The study shows how the presence of different predators can cause significant changes for mosquitoes' bodies and behaviors, which alter the likelihood of them passing on diseases to humans, including malaria, West Nile virus and dengue.

For example, exposure to predators can cause a reduction in the average mosquito body size, leading to shorter lifespans and fewer offspring per mosquito, ultimately reducing the spread of disease.

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Original Paper:

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FROM: https://elifesciences.org/articles/71503

Both consumptive and non-consumptive effects of predators impact mosquito populations and have implications for disease transmission
Marie C Russell Is a corresponding author, Catherine M Herzog, Zachary Gajewski, Chloe Ramsay, Fadoua El Moustaid, Michelle V Evans, Trishna Desai, Nicole L Gottdenker, Sara L Hermann, Alison G Power, Andrew C McCall
(2022-01-19)

Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, United Kingdom; Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, United States; Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, United States; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, United States; Odum School of Ecology & Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, United States; MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Université Montpellier, France; Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, United States; Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, United States; Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, United States; Biology Department, Denison University, United States

Cite as: eLife 2022;11:e71503 DOI: 10.7554/eLife.71503

Predator-prey interactions influence prey traits through both consumptive and non-consumptive effects, and variation in these traits can shape vector-borne disease dynamics. Meta-analysis methods were employed to generate predation effect sizes by different categories of predators and mosquito prey. This analysis showed that multiple families of aquatic predators are effective in consumptively reducing mosquito survival, and that the survival of Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex mosquitoes is negatively impacted by consumptive effects of predators. Mosquito larval size was found to play a more important role in explaining the heterogeneity of consumptive effects from predators than mosquito genus. Mosquito survival and body size were reduced by non-consumptive effects of predators, but development time was not significantly impacted. In addition, Culex vectors demonstrated predator avoidance behavior during oviposition. The results of this meta-analysis suggest that predators limit disease transmission by reducing both vector survival and vector size, and that associations between drought and human West Nile virus cases could be driven by the vector behavior of predator avoidance during oviposition. These findings are likely to be useful to infectious disease modelers who rely on vector traits as predictors of transmission...

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[bruto]

It makes sense that the more predators are around the more upset the prey will be even if they survive. We need more dragonflies.



Hey we're going as fast as we can!

 

[AmyStrange]

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It makes sense that the more predators are around the more upset the prey will be even if they survive. We need more dragonflies.

View attachment 46148

Hey we're going as fast as we can!

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Your posts always lighten the mood a little and thank you.

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[AmyStrange]

Scientists finally explain WHY mosquitos relentlessly bite some people and ignore others - and what you can do to make them less interested

Scientists explained why some people attract mosquitos more than others

US entomologist Dan Kline revealed there were several factors that played role

FROM: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...sts-explain-mosquitos-bite-people-others.html

Smelly feet produced by bacteria similar to one found in cheese was one cause

By AIDAN WONDRACZ FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
PUBLISHED: 22:30 EST, 2 January 2022 | UPDATED: 01:55 EST, 3 January 2022

Scientists have revealed why some people are more prone to mosquito bites than others and busted the top myths that claim to keep the blood sucking critters away.

American entomologist Dan Kline has spent years studying the insects and believes he has come across important clues to explain their behaviour.

One of the more bizarre discoveries he made was that mosquitos were attracted to smelly feet.

In particular, they were attracted to a bacteria that gave off the same smell as Limburger cheese...

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This is beyond bizarre.

 

[bruto]

I find it anecdotally doubtful. My feet are far stinkier than my wife's but when we walk together the bugs always go for her.

 

[Mike!]

I find it anecdotally doubtful. My feet are far stinkier than my wife's but when we walk together the bugs always go for her.

Maybe you're right at that fine threshold between stinky enough to attract, but too smelly to bite, and she's just right there handy?

 

[crescent]

My wife probably smells better than I do, but mosquitoes are much more attracted to her than they are to me.

But....

My wife also like Limburger cheese. Hmmmm....

 

[SteveAitch]

I find it anecdotally doubtful. My feet are far stinkier than my wife's but when we walk together the bugs always go for her.

Are you, perchance, using Avon Skin-So-Soft?

 

[Mojo]

Scientists finally explain WHY mosquitos relentlessly bite some people and ignore others - and what you can do to make them less interested

Scientists explained why some people attract mosquitos more than others

US entomologist Dan Kline revealed there were several factors that played role



This is beyond bizarre.

Why would a creature using its sense of smell to locate its prey be “beyond bizarre”?

 

[bruto]

Are you, perchance, using Avon Skin-So-Soft?

No. People who have tried that around here have found it less effective than regular repellents, which I generally haven't used. I do occasionally now, since I got a nearly fatal case of meningitis last summer, probably from a virus-laden insect bite.