Olfactory regulation of mosquito–host interactions

LJ Zwiebel, W Takken - Insect biochemistry and molecular biology, 2004 - Elsevier
LJ Zwiebel, W Takken
Insect biochemistry and molecular biology, 2004Elsevier
Mosquitoes that act as disease vectors rely upon olfactory cues to direct several important
behaviors that are fundamentally involved in establishing their overall vectorial capacity. Of
these, the propensity to select humans for blood feeding is arguably the most important of
these olfactory driven behaviors in so far as it significantly contributes to the ability of these
mosquitoes to transmit pathogens that cause diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and
most significantly human malaria. Here, we review significant advances in behavioral …
Mosquitoes that act as disease vectors rely upon olfactory cues to direct several important behaviors that are fundamentally involved in establishing their overall vectorial capacity. Of these, the propensity to select humans for blood feeding is arguably the most important of these olfactory driven behaviors in so far as it significantly contributes to the ability of these mosquitoes to transmit pathogens that cause diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and most significantly human malaria. Here, we review significant advances in behavioral, physiological and molecular investigations into mosquito host preference, with a particular emphasis on studies that have emerged in the post-genomic era that seek to combine these approaches.
Elsevier