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The black and white mosquito: How did Aedes aegypti become a disease vector?
In the ecosystem, Aedes aegypti, a black-and-white mosquito, is known as one of the most potentially disease-transmitting creatures. It is not only the host of yellow fever, but also the vector of many diseases such as dengue fever, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. This article takes a closer look at the biology of this mosquito, where it lives, how it becomes a vector, and how people can protect themselves.
Aedes aegypti originated in Africa and spread to the New World with the slave trade. It is now common in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions.
Biological characteristics
Aedes aegypti is a 4 to 7 mm long mosquito characterized by white stripes on its legs and a mark on its upper chest that resembles a small guqin. Female mosquitoes are usually larger than males, and only they take a blood meal to aid egg maturation. In order to find a host, female mosquitoes are attracted to chemicals released by mammals, such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, lactic acid and octenol. The researchers found that Aedes aegypti has a preference for "dextrorotatory" octenol molecules, which shows their properties in attracting hosts.
This kind of mosquito usually breeds in dark and moist places, grows rapidly, and can adapt to various environments.
Host and distribution
The hosts of Aedes aegypti are mainly mammals, including domestic horses and wild horses. A 2009 study found that compared to other organisms, birds are the best food source for these mosquitoes. The distribution of this mosquito has expanded significantly in the past three decades, especially in 2016, when scientists discovered a Zika virus-carrying population in Washington, DC, that is adapted to warm climates.
With global climate change, the distribution range of Aedes aegypti is expanding northward and becoming increasingly serious.
Vector mechanism
Aedes aegypti is considered a vector of multiple pathogens, including more than 54 viruses and two species of Plasmodium, making it a major threat to global public health. According to the 2022 report, it is closely associated with a variety of serious infectious diseases and was found to be at the top of the list of clinic cases. Since these diseases often cause high mortality, especially in tropical areas, their impact cannot be underestimated.
Aedes aegypti has been documented in global medical literature as a species spreading a variety of diseases, making it an important subject of research at the intersection of ecology and medicine.
Protection methods
To combat Aedes aegypti, experts have proposed a variety of protective measures. As a means of preventing illnesses such as dengue fever, mosquito repellents containing DEET can reduce mosquito bites. In addition, checking containers weekly to eliminate standing water, using mosquito nets and wearing long-sleeved clothing can effectively isolate mosquito infestations. The importance of preventive measures is that Aedes aegypti can occur almost at any time throughout the year, which forces the public to remain highly vigilant.
The correct use of mosquito repellents will greatly reduce the risk of mosquito bites, and increased public health awareness will help reduce infections.
Population control measures
In addition to using pesticides, researchers have also begun exploring genetic modification techniques to control Aedes aegypti populations. OX513A is a genetically modified Aedes aegypti specifically designed to reduce the reproduction of its own population. Some regions, such as Brazil and the Cayman Islands, have successfully conducted this experiment. In these areas, the release of OX513A reduced mosquito populations by more than 90%. In addition, scientists have also studied the biological control application of Wolbachia bacteria. Experiments have shown that mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia can resist certain viruses.
The combination of genetic modification and biological control technology may become a new direction to eliminate this vector mosquito.
Conclusion
The spread of Aedes aegypti poses a potential life-threatening threat to the world. As climate change and urbanization accelerate, this mosquito will likely breed further and spread more diseases. Therefore, how to effectively control and reduce the harm of Aedes aegypti will become a challenge and a major research topic in the future. Faced with this reality, are we ready to take action against this tiny but far-reaching creature?
