A little on the nose: A mosquito targets the nostrils of tree frogs for a blood meal

Abstract

As the females of most mosquitoes require a blood meal to provision their eggs, they can be a vector of parasites and pathogens that have profound impacts on both animal and human populations. Understanding the interactions between mosquitoes and their hosts, including animal and feeding site preferences, could thus provide valuable insights into disease transmission. In this study, we present a highly specific feeding strategy observed in a mosquito from Australia (Mimomyia elegans). Over 3 years of fieldwork, we found this mosquito feeding exclusively on the nostrils when using several amphibian species as hosts. Mosquitoes were observed initially landing on the backs of hosts before walking towards the nostrils, potentially minimizing detection and mitigating the risk of predation or defensive responses. This remarkable level of feeding site specificity suggests strong selection pressures that are causing the nostril to be the optimal location for blood extraction on amphibians. Possible explanations include the presence of thinner, more accessible skin tissue or enhanced vascular properties in the nostril region. Understanding mosquito host preferences, points of contact and feeding site specificity could provide valuable insights into disease transmission among amphibians, as mosquitoes have been identified as potential vectors of pathogens like the amphibian chytrid fungus.