Effects of Blood Meal Source on Aedes albopictus Life Table Characteristics and Vector Competence for Dengue Virus

Abstract

Commercially available blood can be used as an alternative to live animals to feed mosquitoes; however, the extent to which alternative blood sources affect mosquito vector competence for dengue virus (DENV, familyFlaviviridae, genus Flavivirus) is unknown and may have implications for evaluating results of laboratory vector competence experiments. We aim to improve mosquito colony propagation techniques and inform future research using artificial blood delivery methods to assess vector competence. Objective •To determine the extent to which commercially available blood source affects life table characteristics and vector competence of Aedes albopictusfor DENV.