Effects of Color and Light Intensity on the Foraging and Oviposition Behavior of Culex pipiens biotype molestus Mosquitoes

Abstract

Mosquitoes are the most important vector of arboviruses; thus, controlling mosquito population is a key point for controlling these diseases. Two major factors that influence mosquito population size are the availability of blood hosts and suitable oviposition sites. Behavioral mechanisms by which Culex pipiens biotype molestus mosquitoes locate their hosts or oviposition sites are influenced by physical and chemical factors. The present study evaluated the impact of the colors (for human eyes) red, green, blue and yellow in combination with different light intensities on preferences for oviposition and foraging sites under laboratory conditions. We identified the color red as the overall favored color for both target behaviors, which was only surpassed by black as the foraging stimulus. Altogether, we described two new inexpensive and simple bioassays, which can be used as a mosquito-tracking method for behavioral tests and as an oviposition trap to monitor Culex pipiens biotype molestus populations.

Behavioural variation in background colour matching and the effect of social environment in rock-pool mosquitoes

“…In Anopheles, Aedes and Culex female mosquitoes, a preference for black, red, or blue was also observed in the context of oviposition site selection (Hoel et al 2011, Hellhammer et al 2022, Phiri and Mbata 2023, Moazzeni et al 2023. Most studies of mosquito colour preferences have been carried out using other attractants as host olfactory stimuli (but see Hellhammer et al 2022) and were conducted primarily on vector species to develop effective control strategies or advanced traps (Bidlingmayer 1994, Hoel et al 2011. Here, we explored background choice behaviour as an antipredator strategy in adult mosquitoes and the effect of social environment and disturbance, without using other attractants.…”

“…Vision plays an essential role in several behaviours of mosquito species, and their colour preference mediates host-seeking behaviour, oviposition site selection and foraging (Allan et al 1987, Takken and Verhulst 2013, Jung et al 2021, Alonso San Alberto et al 2022, Hellhammer et al 2022. In Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens, dark colours such as black, red, blue and purple are more attractive than light colours during host-seeking behaviour (Browne and Bennett 1981, Jung et al 2021, Alonso San Alberto et al 2022.…”

“…In Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens, dark colours such as black, red, blue and purple are more attractive than light colours during host-seeking behaviour (Browne and Bennett 1981, Jung et al 2021, Alonso San Alberto et al 2022. In Anopheles, Aedes and Culex female mosquitoes, a preference for black, red, or blue was also observed in the context of oviposition site selection (Hoel et al 2011, Hellhammer et al 2022, Phiri and Mbata 2023, Moazzeni et al 2023. Most studies of mosquito colour preferences have been carried out using other attractants as host olfactory stimuli (but see Hellhammer et al 2022) and were conducted primarily on vector species to develop effective control strategies or advanced traps (Bidlingmayer 1994, Hoel et al 2011.…”

Perhitungan Larva Aedes spp. Berdasarkan Hasil Rearing Ovitrap Berwarna Dalam Ruangan di Kelurahan Malalayang Satu Barat Kota Manado

“…11 Indra pencahayaan Aedes aegypti memiliki kisaran sekitar 323 nm hingga 621 nm, dikarenakan hal tersebut, warna merah akan tampak kelabu bagi nyamuk dan memberikan kesan gelap. 22,23 Penelitian di Jerman 22 menyatakan bahwa nyamuk Culex pipiens menyukai oviposisi pada warna hitam, diikuti merah, hijau, biru, dan kuning. Culex annulirostris juga menyukai warna hitam untuk beroviposisi.…”

“…Warna kuning dikenal sebagai warna yang dihindari nyamuk, baik saat mencari makan maupun pada manusia yang memakai pakaian kuning bahkan dikatakan sebagai repellent color dari nyamuk. 22,25 Pada penelitian pengaruh cahaya putih dan monokromatik terhadap penetasan ayam, dari lampu monokromatik, embrio ayam paling peka terhadap cahaya kuning dan menetas lebih awal. 26 Penelitian tentang viabilitas telur masih sangat minim, belum ada penelitian yang lebih jauh mengenai warna cahaya terhadap telur nyamuk.…”