Interactions between bloodfeeding, fecundity and infection in mosquitoes

Abstract

Mosquitoes are vectors of many vertebrate blood parasites. A large number of associations have evolved encompassing culicines and anophelines, micro- and macroparasites and most classes of vertebrate. Parasite life histories, host pathology and vector behaviour all vary, but all these relationships share at least one thing in common: the bloodsucking habit of female mosquitoes provides a mode of transmission between definitive host and vector. Bloodfeeding is the pivotal factor in the continuation of both parasite and vector generations. Here, Hilary Hurd, Jon Hogg and Melanie Renshaw review the links between bloodfeeding, mosquito egg production and infection, and discuss the degree to which each factor may influence the others.