Gut Microbiota and Insecticide Resistance in the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata)
Source: Charaabi, K., Hamdene, H., Djobbi, W. et al. Assessing gut microbiota diversity and functional potential in resistant and susceptible strains of the mediterranean fruit fly. Sci Rep 15, 33456 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01534-w
Dates: Received - 06 November 2024 | Accepted - 06 May 2025 | Published - 29 September 2025
Executive Summary
This briefing document synthesizes findings from a study investigating the link between gut microbiota and insecticide resistance in the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata), a destructive agricultural pest. The research reveals a strong correlation between resistance to common insecticides (malathion, dimethoate, and spinosad) and significant alterations in the composition and functional potential of the fly's gut bacterial community.
Resistant strains of the medfly, developed over 36 generations of insecticide exposure, exhibit significantly lower microbial diversity compared to their susceptible counterparts. This reduction in diversity is accompanied by a profound shift in the gut's bacterial landscape. Specifically, the phylum Bacillota and the genera Enterococcus and Klebsiella are substantially enriched in resistant flies. Conversely, the dominant phylum Pseudomonadota and the genera Serratia and Buttiauxella are sharply reduced.
Functional analysis predicts that the gut microbiota of resistant flies possess enhanced metabolic capabilities for xenobiotic biodegradation. These enriched pathways are associated with the breakdown of various toxic environmental chemicals, suggesting a direct or indirect role in insecticide detoxification. The findings indicate that symbiont-mediated resistance is likely a key mechanism in the medfly, driven by the synergistic effect of multiple bacterial species rather than a single microbe. This research opens new avenues for pest management strategies that could target the gut microbiome to mitigate insecticide resistance.
Background and Research Objectives
The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata), or medfly, is a highly polyphagous pest that infests over 300 plant species, causing billions of dollars in annual economic losses worldwide. These losses stem from reduced agricultural production, costly control measures, and restricted market access. While methods like the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) are used, the predominant control practice remains the application of chemical insecticides.
The widespread and excessive use of insecticides has led to the development of significant resistance in medfly populations, undermining control efforts. While resistance is often linked to genetic traits in the insect, such as increased enzyme activity, recent evidence from other species suggests that symbiotic gut microorganisms can play a crucial role. These bacteria may contribute to resistance by directly metabolizing toxic substances or by modulating the host's detoxification gene expression.
Despite extensive research on the medfly's gut microbiota in relation to its fitness and SIT applications, the connection to insecticide resistance has remained largely unexplored. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the potential association between the medfly gut microbiota and insecticide resistance. The primary objectives were to:
Experimental Design and Methodology
To achieve its objectives, the study employed a controlled laboratory selection process and advanced sequencing techniques.
| Strain | Insecticide | LC50 (ppm) | Resistance Ratio (RR) vs. IS Strain
| IS | Malathion | 18.8 | -
| ML-SEL (G36) | Malathion | 1872.2 | 99.23-fold
| IS | Dimethoate | 0.85 | -
| Dm-SEL (G36) | Dimethoate | 215.79 | 252.68-fold
| IS | Spinosad | 0.55 | -
| Sp-SEL (G36) | Spinosad | 133.79 | 241.49-fold
Key Findings: Shifts in Gut Microbiota Composition
The study revealed dramatic and statistically significant differences between the gut microbiomes of insecticide-susceptible and resistant medflies.
Reduced Microbial Diversity in Resistant Strains
A primary finding was that all three IR strains exhibited significantly lower bacterial richness and diversity compared to the IS parent strain (p < 0.05). This suggests that insecticide exposure acts as a strong selective pressure, favoring the growth of a specialized subset of bacteria that can tolerate or metabolize the toxic compounds. This "selection-cumulation effect" leads to an enrichment of resistance-associated bacteria at the expense of overall diversity.
Altered Bacterial Abundance at Phylum and Genus Levels
The composition of the gut microbiota was fundamentally altered in the resistant strains.
| Bacterial Genus | Relative Abundance in IS Strain | Change in IR Strains | Specific Details
| ...
Mosquito Diversity and Public Health Risk in Kerala, India: A Synthesis of a Multi-District Survey
Source: Mathiarasan, L., Natarajan, R., Aswin, A. et al. Diversity and spatiotemporal distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) with emphasis on disease vectors across agroecological areas of Kerala, India. Sci Rep 15, 30603 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16357-y
Date: Received - 29 May 2025 | Accepted - 14 August 2025 | Published - 20 August 2025
Executive Summary
This document synthesizes the findings of an extensive entomological survey conducted across five agroecological districts of Kerala, India. The research reveals a remarkably diverse mosquito fauna, identifying 108 species, including 14 known disease vectors, which underscores the region's complex public health challenges. The study highlights the overwhelming predominance of Stegomyia albopicta (54.82% of all collected specimens), a highly adaptable vector for dengue and chikungunya, posing a significant and ongoing threat.
Key findings indicate that artificial, human-made habitats—such as discarded tires, plastic containers, and latex collection cups—are the primary breeding grounds, supporting greater species diversity than natural habitats and pointing to critical deficiencies in solid waste management. The Wayanad district was identified as a major biodiversity hotspot for mosquitoes, attributed to its unique ecological niches. The investigation also yielded significant scientific discoveries, including the description of a new species, Heizmannia rajagopalani, and the first regional records of several other species. The co-existence of multiple vectors for arboviruses, malaria, and filariasis creates a complex risk profile that necessitates comprehensive surveillance and targeted, ecologically-informed control strategies.
1. Overview of the Entomological Survey
The study was designed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of mosquito biodiversity, spatiotemporal distribution, and habitat preferences across diverse ecological settings in Kerala, India, a state known for its unique agro-geographical features and history of mosquito-borne disease (MBD) outbreaks.
2. Species Composition and Abundance
The survey revealed a rich and diverse mosquito fauna, highlighting a complex ecosystem of both nuisance species and medically important vectors.
Overall Diversity
A total of 108 mosquito species belonging to 28 genera were identified. The genus Culex exhibited the highest species richness (25.0%), followed by Anopheles (12.9%) and Stegomyia (10.2%).
Dominant Species
The vast majority of collected specimens were dominated by a few highly prevalent species:
| Species | Percentage of Total Collection | Known Significance
| Stegomyia albopicta | 54.82% | Primary vector for dengue, chikungunya, Zika
| Culex quinquefasciatus | 6.92% | Vector for lymphatic filariasis
| Hulecoeteomyia chrysolineata | 6.33% | Noted for diverse breeding patterns
| Armigeres subalbatus | 5.03% | Nuisance mosquito, prefers polluted water
Identified Disease Vectors
The study identified 14 known disease vector species, creating a multifaceted public health risk. The co-existence of primary and secondary vectors for various diseases complicates transmission dynamics.
While St. albopicta was abundant, other primary vectors were found in extremely low numbers, such as St. aegypti(1.43%), An. stephensi (0.06%), and An. culicifacies (0.01%). However, the study emphasizes that even low-density vector populations can sustain pathogen transmission cycles and cause outbreaks under favorable conditions.
3. Spatiotemporal Distribution and Biodiversity Hotspots
The distribution of mosquito species varied significantly across the five surveyed districts, revealing distinct biodiversity patterns influenced by local ecology.
District-Level Diversity
A core group of 19 species was found across all five districts, indicating shared environmental determinants that support widespread mosquito populations.
Prevalence Patterns
Stegomyia albopicta was the predominant species in all five districts. In the Thiruvananthapuram district, it accounted for an exceptionally high 77.29% of collected mosquitoes. The second-most dominant species varied by district, suggesting that "one-size-fits-all" vector control methods would be ineffective and require tailored, localized strategies.
Briefing: Automated Insect Monitoring via AI and Electrical Field Sensors
Source: Odgaard, F.B., Kjærbo, P.V., Poorjam, A.H. et al. Automated insect detection and biomass monitoring via AI and electrical field sensor technology. Sci Rep 15, 29858 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15613-5
Date: Received - 11 April 2025 | Accepted - 08 August 2025 | Published - 14 August 2025
Executive Summary
This document outlines a novel, automated insect monitoring system that uses electrical field sensors and artificial intelligence to provide a non-invasive, continuous alternative to traditional methods. The system addresses the critical need for improved insect monitoring in the face of global declines, aiming to overcome the labor-intensive, lethal, and temporally limited nature of conventional techniques like Malaise traps.
The core technology detects atmospheric electrical field modulations caused by flying insects. A differential sensor design suppresses environmental noise, while a cloud-based AI pipeline processes the signals. This pipeline employs a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for insect detection, a probabilistic algorithm for Wing-Beat Frequency (WBF) analysis, and a lookup-based algorithm for biomass estimation.
A field validation study conducted in a Danish nature reserve compared the system against standard Townes Malaise traps. The results demonstrated a moderate to strong positive correlation between sensor and trap data for insect counts (Spearman’s ρ up to 0.725). However, the correlation for biomass was weaker and not consistently significant. A major discrepancy in magnitude was observed, with sensors recording approximately three times more insect counts and 26 times more biomass than the traps. This is attributed to fundamental methodological differences (passive sensing vs. single capture) and significant uncertainty within the system's current biomass estimation algorithm.
Notably, the sensor system exhibited higher measurement consistency between its own units (sensor-sensor correlation for biomass ρ = 0.867) than paired Malaise traps (Malaise-Malaise correlation for biomass ρ = 0.641), although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.057). The study concludes that while the technology shows significant promise for scalable, non-lethal insect monitoring, the biomass algorithm requires substantial refinement and calibration before it can be used for absolute estimation.
1. The Challenge in Conventional Insect Monitoring
Insects, comprising over half of all described species, are vital for ecosystem stability through functions like pollination, nutrient cycling, and pest control. Alarming reports of declines in insect abundance, biomass, and species richness underscore the urgent need for effective monitoring to support conservation and safeguard ecosystem services.
However, conventional monitoring techniques present significant challenges:
• Labor-Intensive: Methods such as pan, pit, light, and Malaise traps require substantial manual effort for insect collection, sorting, counting, and weighing.
• Invasive and Lethal: These trap-based approaches remove insects from the local population, posing a potential threat to fragile species and raising ethical concerns. The validation study for this new system highlighted this impact, with 55,443 insects killed in just two Malaise traps during the sampling period.
• Limited Granularity: Traditional methods typically provide data at coarse temporal intervals (e.g., daily or weekly), limiting insights into finer-scale activity patterns.
Automation and non-invasive technologies are critical for overcoming these limitations, enabling continuous data collection across large areas without disrupting local ecosystems.
2. A Novel Automated Monitoring System
The presented system offers a comprehensive, automated solution for non-invasive insect monitoring, from data acquisition in the field to data analysis in the cloud.
2.1. Operating Principle and Sensor Design
The system's core innovation is its ability to passively detect flying insects by exploiting natural electrical effects.
• Detection Mechanism: As insects fly, they acquire a positive electrical charge through air friction (triboelectric effect) and disrupt the ambient atmospheric electric field. These combined effects create unique electrical signatures that the sensor detects.
• Differential Probe Design: To function in noisy outdoor environments, the sensor employs two identical electrostatic probes spaced 28 cm apart. This differential measurement approach effectively mitigates distant, common-mode noise sources like atmospheric disturbances and radio signals.
• Detection Volume: The design creates a detection volume sensitive to nearby insects. However, it also creates a "blind plane" of zero sensitivity on the symmetry plane directly between the two probes. The sensor's sensitivity is size-dependent, meaning larger insects are detectable at greater distances than smaller insects.
2.2. System Architecture and Data Pipeline
The system is composed of three integrated components:
1. Field Sensor Units: The core sensor, housed in a weatherproof unit, uses an ESP32 microcontroller to acquire signals, perform real-time preprocessing, and transmit data via cellular communication. The sensors are solar-powered for continuous daylight operation.
2. Cloud Processing Infrastructure: Data is sent to a cloud-based pipeline that performs a series of processing steps:
◦ Removes power line interference (50/60 Hz) using a specialized comb filter.
◦ Detects the presence of flying insects using an AI model.
◦ Calculates the Wing-Beat Frequency (WBF) of detected insects.
◦ Estimates the body mass of the insects.
3. User Interface: Processed data on insect activity (counts) and biomass is aggregated and made available through a user interface for analysis and export.
2.3. AI-Powered Data Processing
The analytical power of the system resides in its sophisticated data processing algorithms.
• Insect Detection (CNN): A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is used to classify 1-second signal segments. Each segment is converted into a spectrogram (a visual representation of frequency over time), which serves as the input to the CNN. The model was trained on a large, manually annotated dataset and demonstrated high classification performance on a held-out test set:
◦ AUC (Area Under Curve): 0.96
◦ F1-Score: 0.79
◦ Precision: 0.77
◦ Recall: 0.81
• WBF Calculation: For segments classified as containing an insect, the probabilistic YIN (pYIN) algorithm estimates the fundamental frequency, or WBF. A post-processing step filters out unreliable signals (e.g., those with a WBF below 20 Hz or with drastic frequency changes) to reduce false positives. Adjacent 1-second segments with similar WBFs are aggregated to represent a single, continuous insect event.
• Biomas...
Impact of Mosquito Feeding Behavior on Wolbachia-Based Dengue Control
Date: Received - 17 February 2025 | Accepted - 18 July 2025 | Published - 29 July 2025
Source: Johnson, R.M., Breban, M.I., Nolan, B.L. et al. Implications of successive blood feeding on Wolbachia-mediated dengue virus inhibition in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Nat Commun 16, 6971 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62352-2
Executive Summary
This document synthesizes findings from a study on the interplay between mosquito feeding behavior and the effectiveness of Wolbachia bacteria in inhibiting the dengue virus (DENV-2). The central conclusion is that successive blood feeding by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, a natural behavior often overlooked in laboratory settings, enhances the relative efficacy of the wAlbB Wolbachia strain. While frequent feeding accelerates virus dissemination in both Wolbachia-infected and uninfected (wildtype, WT) mosquitoes, the effect is significantly more pronounced in the WT population.
This leads to a critical insight: traditional single-feed laboratory experiments likely underestimate the real-world impact of Wolbachia-based control strategies. The modeling of epidemiologically relevant factors shows that the protective advantage of wAlbB over WT is magnified under conditions that mimic natural feeding patterns. These findings provide robust support for the ongoing deployment of Wolbachia-transinfected mosquitoes for dengue transmission control, suggesting their functional inhibition of DENV-2 may be even stronger than previously demonstrated.
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Introduction and Study Context
The release of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transinfected with the Wolbachia pipientis bacterium is a promising novel strategy to combat the significant public health threat of dengue virus (DENV). Wolbachia inhibits virus transmission, but the mechanisms are not fully understood, and the effectiveness can be incomplete.
A critical factor often unaccounted for in laboratory assessments is the natural feeding behavior of Ae. aegypti, which frequently take multiple blood meals. Previous work has shown that this "successive feeding" can accelerate virus dissemination from the mosquito's midgut, thereby shortening the extrinsic incubation period (EIP)—the time required for a mosquito to become infectious.
This study investigated the hypothesis that successive blood feeding decreases the effectiveness of Wolbachia by facilitating more efficient DENV-2 dissemination in mosquitoes carrying the wMelM and wAlbB strains.
Key Findings
I. Successive Feeding Accelerates DENV-2 Dissemination
The study compared mosquitoes given a single infectious blood meal (single-fed, SF) to those given an additional non-infectious blood meal four days later (double-fed, DF).
• Increased Dissemination: At 7 days post-infection, a second blood meal significantly increased the rate of DENV-2 dissemination in both wildtype (WT) and wAlbB-infected mosquitoes.
• Higher Viral Titers: Correspondingly, double-fed WT and wAlbBmosquitoes exhibited higher DENV-2 genome equivalents (viral load) in their bodies compared to their single-fed counterparts.
• Temporal Shift: Time course experiments confirmed that successive feeding leads to earlier dissemination, effectively shortening the EIP in both WT and wAlbB mosquitoes. For example, at day 5 post-infection, dissemination in the double-fed WT group was significantly higher than in the single-fed group. A similar, though less pronounced, acceleration was observed in wAlbB mosquitoes at days 6 and 7.
II. Wolbachia Strain Performance and Density
The study reaffirmed the virus-inhibiting properties of Wolbachia and explored the role of bacterial density.
• Strong Virus Inhibition: Consistent with previous research, both Wolbachiastrains strongly inhibited DENV-2. Mosquitoes with wMelM showed stronger inhibition (fewer infections and disseminations) than those with wAlbB. Due to the extremely low infection rates in wMelM mosquitoes, many subsequent analyses focused on the wAlbB strain.
• Wolbachia Density: While a second blood meal slightly increased wAlbBdensity, there was no significant correlation between Wolbachia levels and DENV-2 levels in individual mosquitoes. Instead, higher DENV-2 titers were strongly associated with whether the infection had disseminated, suggesting that midgut escape allows for increased viral replication in other tissues.
III. Modeling the Extrinsic Incubation Period (EIP)
By modeling the time course data, the study quantified the impact of successive feeding on the EIP, defined as the time until 50% of mosquitoes develop a disseminated infection (EIP50).
• EIP50 Reduction in wAlbB Mosquitoes: Successive feeding significantly shortened the time to 50% dissemination in wAlbB mosquitoes.
wAlbB Mosquito Group | Estimated EIP50 (Days Post-Infection) | 95% Credible Interval
Single-Fed (SF) | 8.38 days | 7.72–9.01 days
Double-Fed (DF) | 6.86 days | 6.03–7.62 days
• High Dissemination in WT Mosquitoes: In WT mosquitoes, dissemination rates exceeded 50% at all examined time points for both single- and double-fed groups. This prevented the calculation of a precise EIP50 but highlighted their high susceptibility compared to Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes.
Core Conclusion: Enhanced Relative Efficacy of Wolbachia
The study's most significant contribution comes from modeling the epidemiological consequences of a shortened EIP. Researchers calculated the probability of a mosquito surviving beyond its EIP—a key factor for transmission potential.
• Survival Past EIP:
◦ Double-fed mosquitoes (both WT and wAlbB) were consistently more likely to survive beyond the EIP than single-fed mosquitoes.
◦ WT mosquitoes were always more likely to survive beyond the EIP than their wAlbB counterparts, regardless of feeding status or assumed lifespan (4, 7, or 10 days).
• The Critical Insight (Odds Ratio Analysis): The study calculated the odds ratio of a mosquito surviving past the EIP for wAlbB relative to WT. This comparison revealed that while successive feeding helps the virus in both groups, it helps the virus more in the WT group.
◦ The odds ratios for double-fed mosquitoes were much smaller than for single-fed mosquitoes. This indicates that the protective effect of wAlbB is magnified under successive feeding conditions.
◦ In the study's words: "although successive feeding did reduce EIP for wAlbB mosquitoes, successive feeding has a larger impact on EIP in WT mosquitoes. This suggests that wAlbB remains effective in inhibiting DENV-2 when considering successive feeding."
Implications and Study Limi...
Detailed Briefing Document: Application of Wing Interference Patterns (WIPs) and Deep Learning (DL) for Culex spp. Classification
Application of wings interferential patterns (WIPs) and deep learning (DL) to classify some Culex. spp (Culicidae) of medical or veterinary importance
Arnaud Cannet, Camille Simon Chane, Aymeric Histace, Mohammad Akhoundi, Olivier Romain, Pierre Jacob, Darian Sereno, Marc Souchaud, Philippe Bousses & Denis Sereno
Scientific Reports volume 15, Article number: 21548 (2025)
Source: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08667-y
Received - 28 November 2024 | Accepted - 23 June 2025 | Published - 01 July 2025
This briefing document reviews a study that successfully demonstrates the utility of combining Wing Interference Patterns (WIPs) with deep learning (DL) models for the accurate identification of Culex mosquito species. Culex mosquitoes are significant vectors for numerous arboviruses and parasites of medical and veterinary importance, including West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis, and lymphatic filariasis. Traditional morphological identification methods are labor-intensive, prone to errors due to cryptic species or damaged samples, and often yield variable accuracy (e.g., ~64% average species-level accuracy in external assessments).
The research team developed a method leveraging the unique, stable interference patterns visible on transparent insect wing membranes (WIPs) as species-specific morphological markers. By integrating these WIPs with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), the study achieved over 95% genus-level accuracy for Culex and up to 100% species-level accuracy for certain species. While challenges remain with underrepresented species in the dataset, this approach presents a scalable, cost-effective, and robust alternative or complement to traditional identification methods, with significant potential for enhancing vector surveillance and global health initiatives.
Key Themes and Important Ideas/Facts
1. The Challenge of Mosquito Identification and its Importance
2. Wing Interference Patterns (WIPs) as Species-Specific Markers
3. Integration of WIPs with Deep Learning (DL) for Classification
4. Classification Performance and Results
5. Future Directions and Implications
Conclusion
The study successfully demonstrates that the fusion of Wing Interference Patterns (WIPs) and deep learning provides a promising and accurate tool for identifying Culex mosquitoes, a critical step in controlling vector-borne diseases. Despite current lim...
Detailed Briefing Document: The Battle of the Mosquitoes - A New Approach to Malaria Control
Source: Adepoju, P. Battle of the mosquitoes. Nat Med 31, 1722–1726 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03753-0
Dates: Published - 11 June 2025 | Issue Date - June 2025
I. Executive Summary
This briefing document summarizes the key themes and facts from the provided source, "Battle of the Mosquitoes," detailing the innovative approach of using genetically modified mosquitoes to combat malaria, particularly in urban environments. The core of this strategy, pioneered by Oxitec, involves releasing male Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes engineered with a self-limiting gene, leading to a decline in malaria-carrying female mosquito populations. Djibouti is at the forefront of this experiment, driven by a dramatic resurgence of malaria cases linked to the invasive A. stephensi species, which thrives in cities and evades traditional control methods. The document highlights the painstaking scientific process, the urgent need for new solutions in the face of evolving malaria threats, the critical importance of community engagement to address skepticism about genetic modification, and the challenges of scaling up this technology across Africa amidst funding and regulatory hurdles.
II. Main Themes and Key Ideas
A. The Emergence of Anopheles stephensi as a "Game Changer" in Malaria Transmission
B. Djibouti's Pioneering Role and the Severity of its Malaria Crisis
C. Oxitec's Genetically Modified Mosquito Technology
D. Critical Role of Community Engagement and Addressing Skepticism
E. Challenges to Scaling Up and Widespread Adoption
Briefing Document: Unique Virome of Arctic Mosquitoes in Greenland
Source: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01086-z: "Metagenomic analysis of mosquitoes from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland reveals a unique virome" by Schilling, Jagdev, Thomas, & Johnson (2025).
Date: Received - 17 January 2025 | Accepted - 02 May 2025 | Published - 17 May 2025
Subject: Metagenomic analysis of mosquito viromes in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and implications in the context of climate change.
Summary: This study provides the first metagenomic analysis of the virome of two prevalent Arctic mosquito species, Aedes impiger and Aedes nigripes, sampled near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. The research employed next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify viruses present in pooled mosquito samples collected in July 2022 and July 2023. The findings reveal a diverse and, importantly, a unique virome in these Arctic mosquitoes compared to other Aedes species. The study highlights the critical need to understand these viromes in light of climate change, which is significantly impacting Arctic ecosystems and potentially increasing the risk of vector-borne disease emergence and spread.
Key Findings and Themes:
Implications:
The discovery of a unique and diverse virome in Arctic mosquitoes in Greenland has significant implications for understanding the current and future risks of vector-borne diseases in the region. As climate change continues to alter Arctic ecosystems, the potential for the introduction...
BRIEFING DOCUMENT: Novel Approach to Malaria Control Targeting Mosquito-Stage Plasmodium Parasites
Date: Received - 29 March 2025 | Accepted - 17 April 2025 | Published - 21 May 2025
Source: Excerpts from "In vivo screen of Plasmodium targets for mosquito-based malaria control" by Probst et al. (Published online xx xx xxxx, Nature) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09039-2
Subject: Development and testing of novel antiparasitic compounds for incorporation into mosquito bed nets to combat insecticide resistance and reduce malaria transmission.
Summary:
This research presents a promising new strategy for malaria control by targeting the Plasmodium falciparum parasite directly within its mosquito vector (Anopheles species). Recognizing the growing challenge of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes, the study explores the potential of incorporating antiparasitic compounds into long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs). The authors performed an in vivo screen of 81 compounds, identifying 22 active against mosquito-stage parasites. Notably, endochin-like quinolones (ELQs) targeting the parasite's cytochrome bc1 complex (CytB) showed high potency and were further optimized through medicinal chemistry. Two lead ELQ compounds, ELQ-453 and ELQ-613, demonstrated potent, long-lasting activity when incorporated into bed net-like materials, including in insecticide-resistant mosquitoes. The study also highlights the potential of a dual-target strategy using a combination of Qo-site and Qi-site ELQ inhibitors to reduce the risk of resistance, as CytB mutants show impaired development in mosquitoes. This approach offers a complementary tool to existing malaria control strategies, particularly in areas with high insecticide resistance.
Key Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:
Briefing Document: Nanobody-Mediated Blocking of Malaria Transmission Targeting PfPIMMS43
Source: Excerpts from "s42003-025-08033-8.pdf" (A Nature Portfolio journal; https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08033-8)
Authors: Chiamaka Valerie Ukegbu, et al.
Date: Received - 04 December 2024 | Accepted - 02 April 2025 | Published - 30 April 2025
Executive Summary:
This study explores a novel strategy to block malaria transmission by targeting the Plasmodium falciparum protein PfPIMMS43 using single-domain VHH antibodies, also known as nanobodies. PfPIMMS43 is a critical surface protein for the parasite's development within the mosquito, specifically during the transition from ookinete to oocyst, and aids in evading the mosquito's immune response. Building on previous research demonstrating the potential of polyclonal antibodies against PfPIMMS43, this study successfully developed and characterized high-affinity nanobodies derived from llamas. These nanobodies were shown to significantly reduce both the intensity and prevalence of P. falciparum infection in Anopheles mosquitoes using both laboratory and field strains of the parasite. The study mapped the binding epitopes of the nanobodies to conserved regions in the second half of PfPIMMS43, confirming epitope accessibility. These findings establish PfPIMMS43 as a promising target for malaria transmission-blocking interventions and propose an innovative strategy utilizing genetically modified mosquitoes expressing these nanobodies in conjunction with gene drive technology for enhanced malaria control and elimination efforts.
Key Themes and Important Ideas:
Supporting Quotes:
Briefing Document: Nanofiber Encapsulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for Sustained Mosquito Larvicide Release
Date: Received - 13 December 2024 | Accepted - 04 April 2025 | Published - 21 April 2025
Source: Excerpts from "Nanofiber encapsulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the sustained release of mosquito larvicides" https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97400-w
1. Executive Summary:
This study investigates a novel approach for mosquito vector control using nanofiber encapsulation of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The research addresses the inadequacy of current vector control strategies in eliminating mosquito-borne diseases by developing a method for the sustained release of bacterial larvicides. P. aeruginosa was selected for its potent larvicide production compared to other tested Pseudomonas species. The study demonstrates that encapsulating P. aeruginosa in electrospun nanofibers protects the bacteria, mimicking natural biofilms, enhances their survival in aquatic environments, and allows for prolonged larvicide production without harming non-target organisms (guppy fish). This nanotechnology-based method shows promise for controlling mosquito larvae in various breeding habitats over extended periods, potentially reducing application frequency and costs.
2. Background and Problem Statement:
"Despite the rising global incidence of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, existing vector control strategies remain inadequate for completely eliminating vectors from their breeding sites."
3. Key Findings and Concepts:
Population Dependent Diffusion Model for Aedes Albopictus Spread in Europe
Source: Barman et al., "A climate and population dependent diffusion model forecasts the spread of Aedes Albopictus mosquitoes in Europe," Nature Portfolio journal, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02199-z
Date: Received - 25 November 2024 | Accepted - 07 March 2025 | Published - 09 April 2025
Key Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:
This paper presents a novel spatio-temporal diffusion model that accurately forecasts the spread of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in Europe by simultaneously considering climate suitability and human population factors. Ae. albopictus is a crucial vector for several arboviruses, including Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, and Yellow Fever. The study highlights the increasing risk of autochthonous (local) transmission of these diseases in Europe due to the mosquito's expanding range, driven by environmental changes and global interconnectedness.
1. Predictable Spread of Ae. albopictus:
2. Drivers of Ae. albopictus Expansion:
3. Model Development and Performance:
4. Key Covariates and Their Influence:
5. Implications for Public Health:
6. Limitations:
7. Future Directions and Solutions:
In Conclusion:
This research provides a significant advancement in our ability to predict the spread of Aedes albopictus in Europe. By simultaneously modeling climate suitability and human population dynamics within a diffusion framework, the developed model offers a robust and accurate tool for public health authorities to anticipate new establishments of this key vector and implement targeted interventions to mitigate the risk of arbovirus outbreaks. The findings underscore the importance of considering both environmental and human factors in understanding and predicting the spread of invasive disease vectors.
Parasite and Vector Circadian Clocks Mediate Efficient Malaria Transmission
Source: Bento et al., "Parasite and vector circadian clocks mediate efficient malaria transmission," Nature Microbiology, Published online 31 March 2025, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-025-01949-1
Date: Received: 03 September 2024 | Accepted: 26 March 2025 | Published: 04 April 2025
Key Themes:
This study uncovers a critical tripartite relationship between the Anopheles mosquito vector, the Plasmodium malaria parasite, and the mammalian host, highlighting the significant role of their respective circadian clocks in mediating efficient malaria transmission. The research demonstrates that both the mosquito salivary glands and the resident sporozoite parasite exhibit substantial circadian transcriptional activity, preparing them for the nocturnal blood-feeding behavior of the mosquito and subsequent host infection. The alignment of these circadian rhythms, particularly during nighttime, is shown to be crucial for maximizing transmission efficiency.
Most Important Ideas and Facts:
Quotes Highlighting Key Findings:
Further Research Directions Identified:
Briefing Document: Radiation-Induced Alternative Splicing in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes
Source: Bendzus-Mendoza, H., Rodriguez, A., Debnath, T., Bailey, C. D., Luker, H. A., & Hansen, I. A. (2025). Radiation exposure induces genome-wide alternative splicing events in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Scientific Reports, 15, 5885.
Date of Publication: Received - 19 June 2024 | Accepted - 14 March 2025 | Published - 24 March 2025
Key Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:
This study investigates the impact of ionizing radiation on alternative splicing events (ASEs) in male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, a crucial aspect for improving the sterile insect technique (SIT). The researchers compared RNA sequencing data from male mosquitoes irradiated with a standard dose of 50 Grey (Gy) of X-rays to that of un-irradiated control mosquitoes. Their findings reveal that radiation exposure induces significant changes in alternative splicing patterns across the mosquito genome, affecting genes involved in key biological processes.
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2. Key Findings on Alternative Splicing Events (ASEs):
3. Functional Analysis of Alternatively Spliced Genes (ASGs):
4. Overlap with Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs):
Briefing Document: Targeting the Mosquito Prefoldin–Chaperonin Complex to Block Plasmodium Transmission
Citation: Dong, Y., Kang, S., Sandiford, S.L. et al. Targeting the mosquito prefoldin–chaperonin complex blocks Plasmodium transmission. Nat Microbiol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-025-01947-3
Date: Received - 22 November 2024 | Accepted - 27 January 2025 | Published - 06 March 2025
Overview:
This study investigates the role of the conserved Anopheles mosquito prefoldin (PFDN)–chaperonin (CCT/TRiC) system as a potential target for blocking the transmission of multiple Plasmodium species. The researchers demonstrate that disrupting this protein folding complex in mosquitoes, either through gene silencing or antibody inhibition, significantly reduces Plasmodium infection intensity and prevalence. The mechanism of action involves compromising the integrity of the mosquito midgut, leading to immune activation and the disruption of the parasite's immune evasion strategies. The findings suggest that the PFDN–chaperonin complex, particularly the PFDN6 subunit, holds promise as a multispecies transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) target.
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Briefing Document: Engineered Symbionts for Concurrent Malaria and Arbovirus Transmission Control
Citation: Hu, W., Gao, H., Cui, C. et al. Harnessing engineered symbionts to combat concurrent malaria and arboviruses transmission. Nat Commun 16, 2104 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57343-2
Dates: Received - 27 July 2024 | Accepted - 19 February 2025 | Published - 01 March 2025
Prepared for: Saleh Lab
Executive Summary:
This research presents a novel paratransgenesis strategy utilizing engineered symbiotic bacteria (Serratia AS1) in mosquitoes to simultaneously combat the transmission of malaria parasites (transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes) and arboviruses like dengue and Zika (transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes). The study demonstrates the successful engineering of Serratia AS1 to express anti-Plasmodium and anti-arbovirus effector proteins under the control of a blood-induced promoter. Both laboratory and semi-natural field-cage experiments show that these engineered bacteria effectively spread through mosquito populations and significantly inhibit pathogen infections in both Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes, including reducing co-infection rates of dengue and Zika viruses. This work lays the groundwork for a promising tool to address the growing challenge of concurrent mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.
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Briefing Document: Heat Exposure and Mosquito-Virus Interaction
Source: Perdomo, H. D., Khorramnejad, A., Cham, N. M., Kropf, A., Sogliani, D., & Bonizzoni, M. (2025). Prolonged exposure to heat enhances mosquito tolerance to viral infection. Communications Biology, 8(1), 761. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07617-8
Dates: Received - 27 September 2024 | Accepted - 28 January 2025 | Published - 04 February 2025
Prepared for: Saleh Lab
Executive Summary:
This study investigates the impact of increased environmental temperature on the interaction between the mosquito species Aedes albopictus and the cell fusing agent virus (CFAV), an insect-specific virus. The researchers examined how short-term (one generation) and long-term (ten generations) exposure to a higher temperature (32°C/26°C day/night cycle) influences mosquito tolerance and resistance to CFAV infection, as well as their overall fitness. The key findings reveal that prolonged heat exposure leads to increased viral tolerance in mosquitoes without significant fitness costs, while short-term heat exposure results in increased resistance but at the expense of mosquito fitness. These findings have significant implications for understanding the effects of climate change on arbovirus transmission dynamics and the evolution of both mosquito vectors and the viruses they carry.
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Briefing Document: NSm Protein's Critical Role in Bunyavirus Transmission
Citation: Terhzaz, S., Kerrigan, D., Almire, F. et al. NSm is a critical determinant for bunyavirus transmission between vertebrate and mosquito hosts. Nat Commun 16, 1214 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54809-7
Date: Received - 03 May 2024 | Accepted - 21 November 2024 | Published - 31 January 2025
Prepared for: Saleh Lab
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Detailed Briefing Document: Zika Virus Modulation of Human Fibroblasts Enhances Transmission Success
Source: Mozūraitis, R., Cirksena, K., Raftari, M., et al. (2025). Zika virus modulates human fibroblasts to enhance transmission success in a controlled lab-setting. Communications Biology, 8(1), 754. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07543-9
Date of Briefing: Received - 02 July 2024 | Accepted - 14 January 2025 | Published - 30 January 2025
1. Executive Summary:
This study investigates how Zika virus (ZIKV) infection of human dermal fibroblasts alters the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and how these changes impact the host-seeking and feeding behavior of its mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. The researchers demonstrate that ZIKV infection leads to significant alterations in the VOC profile of infected fibroblasts at both the invasion and transmission stages. These altered VOCs enhance the attraction of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, increase their blood meal size, and even positively influence mosquito fecundity and survival. Furthermore, the study utilizes transcriptomic and proteomic meta-analyses to reveal that ZIKV infection modulates the expression of genes and proteins involved in lipid metabolism and transport in human host cells, potentially driving the observed changes in VOC production. The findings suggest that ZIKV actively manipulates its vertebrate host to promote its transmission by enhancing the attractiveness and feeding efficiency of its mosquito vector.
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3. Methodology:
The study employed a multi-faceted approach, including:
Briefing Document: Pan-Antiviral Activity of the Hsf1-sHsp Cascade in Mosquito Cells
Source: Qu, J., Schinkel, M., Chiggiato, L., Machado, S. R., Overheul, G. J., Miesen, P., & van Rij, R. P. (2025). The Hsf1-sHsp cascade has pan-antiviral activity in mosquito cells. Nature Communications Biology, 8(1), 74. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07435-4
Date: Received - 05 July 2023 | Accepted - 20 December 2024 | Published - 25 January 2025
1. Executive Summary:
This research paper investigates the antiviral immune responses in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, a primary vector for several arboviruses. Through multi-omics data integration, the study identifies a novel early-responsive antiviral cascade involving heat shock factor 1 (Hsf1) and a cluster of eight small heat shock protein (sHsp) genes. This "Hsf1-sHsp cascade" demonstrates pan-antiviral activity against multiple arboviruses, including chikungunya, Sindbis, dengue, and the insect-specific Agua Salud alphavirus in Ae. aegypti cells, and also against chikungunya and O’nyong-nyong viruses in other mosquito species (Aedes albopictus and Anopheles gambiae cells). The findings suggest that Hsf1 could be a promising target for developing novel intervention strategies to limit arbovirus transmission by mosquitoes.
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Briefing Document: "Recombinant venom proteins in insect seminal fluid reduce female lifespan"
Source: Article "Recombinant venom proteins in insect seminal fluid reduce female lifespan" by Samuel J. Beach & Maciej Maselko, published in Nature Communications (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54863-1).
Date: Current date (based on when the briefing document is created).
Prepared for: [Intended Audience - e.g., Pest Management Stakeholders, Research Community, Regulatory Bodies]
Executive Summary:
This research presents a novel genetic biocontrol technology termed the "toxic male technique" (TMT). The study demonstrates, using Drosophila melanogaster as a model, that genetically engineering males to express insecticidal venom proteins within their seminal fluid, which are then transferred to females during mating, significantly reduces the lifespan of the mated females. This intragenerational approach contrasts with existing mating-based genetic biocontrol technologies that primarily focus on reducing offspring viability or skewing sex ratios. Agent-based modeling of Aedes aegypti suggests that TMT has the potential to be significantly more effective in rapidly reducing blood-feeding rates, a key factor in disease transmission, compared to leading intergenerational biocontrol methods like female-specific Release of Insects carrying a Dominant Lethal gene (fsRIDL). TMT offers a promising avenue for rapidly controlling outbreaks of disease vectors and agricultural pests with potentially reduced reliance on chemical insecticides and lower risks of transgene persistence compared to gene drive technologies.
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