Studies on the vector competence of a Mid-western strain of Aedes vexans (Meigen) (Diptera: Culicidae) for West Nile Virus
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The Department of Entomology seeks to teach the study of insects, their life-cycles, and the practicalities in dealing with them, for use in the fields of business, industry, education, and public health. The study of entomology can be applied towards evolution and ecological sciences, and insects’ relationships with other organisms & humans, or towards an agricultural or horticultural focus, focusing more on pest-control and management.
History
The Department of Entomology was founded in 1975 as a result of the division of the Department of Zoology and Entomology.
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- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- Department of Zoology and Entomology (predecessor, 1975)
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Abstract
Aedes vexans (Meigen) mosquitoes were given access to 2- to 4-day-old chickens inoculated with 103.0 CID50s/ml West Nile Virus (WNV) at 1 day old. Mosquitoes were given access to chickens at different intervals after inoculation to make certain that blood meals were of varying virus titers. No differences occurred in infection rates of Ae. vexans and Culex pipiens (L.) fed on the same WNV viremic chicken. Infection rates of Ae. vexans were higher when fed on chickens with viremias of 6.0 log10 WNV PFUs/ml or higher than they were in mosquitoes fed on chickens with viremias below 6.0 log10 WNV PFUs/ml. Dissemination rates were similar in Ae. vexans 14 and 21 days post blood feeding (PBF). Likewise, transmission rates were similar in Ae. vexans 14 days and 21 days PBF. This indicated that, under laboratory conditions, Ae. vexans is a competent vector of WNV.