Contribution of midgut bacteria to blood digestion and egg production in Aedes aegypti (diptera: culicidae) (L.)

Abstract

The reduction of bacteria affected RBC lysis, subsequently retarded protein digestion, deprived mosquito from essential nutrients and, finally, oocyte maturation was affected, resulting in the production of fewer viable eggs. These results indicate that Ae. aegypti and its midgut bacteria work in synergism to digest a blood meal.Our findings open new possibilities to investigate Ae. aegypti-associated bacteria as targets for mosquito control strategies.