Diversity of midgut microbiota in laboratory-colonized and field-collected Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae): A preliminary study

Abstract

Aedes (Ae.) albopictus is an important vector for many pathogens. Previous studies have revealed a role for midgut bacteria during pathogen infection in mosquitoes; however, studies of Ae. albopictus midgut bacteria are limited. We examined the diversity of midgut bacteria in female laboratory-colonized and field-collected Ae. albopictus. A total of 31 bacterial genera were identified representing 10 and 28 genera of laboratory-colonized and fieldcollected Ae. albopictus, respectively. The predominant bacterial genera in the laboratory-colonized Ae. albopictus were Staphylococcus and Micrococcus, whereas the bacterial diversity in the field-collected Ae. albopictus exhibited a higher proportion of Rhizobium and Agrobacterium as the dominant genera. However, only Staphylococcus showed a significant difference between laboratory-colonized and field-collected Ae. albopictus. The midgut bacterial species were identified from 30 laboratory-colonized Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. A total of 16 bacterial species were identified and the predominant bacterial species was Micrococcus luteus, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Field mosquitoes were collected from the Sing Buri, Chumphon, and Yala Provinces of Thailand. The midgut bacterial species identified from the 10 Ae. albopictus collected from the Sing Buri Province included Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus hominis, and Serratia marcescens. Serratia marcescens was the only bacteria identified from this area. Midgut bacterial species were identified from 40 filed-collected Ae. albopictus from Chumphon Province. A total of 25 bacterial species were identified and the predominant species were Enterobacter cloacae, Micrococcus luteus, and Providencia rettgeri. Only 15 bacterial species were identified from the mosquitoes collected from Chumphon Province. A total of 18 bacterial species were identified from 30 Ae. albopictus collected from Yala Province and the predominant species were Rhizobium pusense and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Only 12 bacterial species were found in mosquitoes collected from Yala Province. These findings indicate changes in the midgut bacteria population in Ae. albopictus from various locales, which may result from variability in the blood-meal source, diet, or habitat. A comprehensive survey of the midgut bacteria community prevalence in wild populations is critical for not only gaining a better understanding of the role of this bacterium in shaping the microbial community in Ae. albopictus, but also for informing current and future mosquito and disease control programs.

Microbiome Composition and Microbial Community Structure in Mosquito Vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Northeastern Thailand, a Dengue-Endemic Area

“…The higher abundance of Serratia in bacterial communities of larval stages, particularly in Ae. albopictus , contrasts with previous findings of this genus being abundant in adult mosquito reproductive organs [ 31 , 37 , 48 , 49 ] and midgut [ 38 ].…”

“…Particularly, Proteobacteria accounted for more than 80% of bacteria in field-collected Ae. albopictus in one previous study in Thailand [ 38 ]. The phylum Firmicutes was also very abundant in the Ae.…”

Relevant Day/Night Temperatures Simulating Belgian Summer Conditions Reduce Japanese Encephalitis Virus Dissemination and Transmission in Belgian Field-Collected Culex pipiens Mosquitoes

“…These differences between field-collected and colonized mosquitoes have already been reported for other mosquito species. The bacterial diversity in field-collected Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was found to be much higher compared to colonized lines [ 29 ]. Additionally, it was demonstrated that colonized Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are less genetically variable than their field counterparts [ 30 ].…”

Bacterial Community Diversity and Bacterial Interaction Network in Eight Mosquito Species

“…aegypti collected in Houston, TX, United States [ 19 ]; Serratia marcescens was found in Ae. albopictus collected in Sing Bur Province of Thailand, and absent in mosquitoes of this species collected in Chumphon and Yala Provinces [ 20 ]. The occurrence of Serratia in Ae.…”

“…The number of studies focusing on bacteria and mosquitoes is increasing. Among these studies are: understanding the acquisition and composition of the microbiota [ 4 , 20 ], its relationship with vector capacity [ 30 ], its importance in the modulation of pathogen development in mosquitoes [ 31 ], and how bacterial interactions can modulate the bacterial community in the mosquito [ 19 ]. Despite this increasing interest in mosquito microbial investigations and the epidemiological importance of the Vale do Ribeira region as a potential source of sylvatic arboviruses and vertebrate reservoirs, little is known about the microbiota in mosquito populations inhabiting the southeastern Atlantic tropical rain forest, São Paulo, Brazil.…”