Effects of Sugar and Animal Blood Availability on Attraction of Aedes (Stegomyia) spp. To Humans

Abstract:
Aedes (Stegomyia) female mosquitoes feed on sap of herbaceous indoor plants and blood of small mammals. This study investigates whether the female Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus provided with sugar solution and mouse blood are still attracted to human after feeding. Laboratory caged females of Aedes were given continuous access to a 10% sugar solution and a white mouse. These female mosquitoes at different feed groups were exposed to a human palm for a period of 5 minutes. Results showed that females Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus at age above 2 days from emergence were significantly (P < 0.05) attracted to human palm despite being provided with continuous supply of sugar solution and mouse blood. The attraction varied 20 to 100% between the feed groups. Female Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were able to survive on the given food while maintaining its attraction to human. Thus the findings suggest the availability of sugar from plants and blood of small mammals in urban area aids the survival of Aedes mosquitoes while waiting opportunity of contact with human for blood meal.