<i>Aedes</i> vector–host olfactory interactions in sylvatic and domestic dengue transmission environments

Abstract

Interactions between Aedes ( Stegomyia ) species and non-human primate (NHP) and human hosts govern the transmission of the pathogens, dengue, zika, yellow fever and chikungunya viruses. Little is known about Aedes mosquito olfactory interactions with these hosts in the domestic and sylvatic cycles where these viruses circulate. Here, we explore how the different host-derived skin odours influence Aedes mosquito responses in these two environments. In field assays, we show that the cyclic ketone cyclohexanone is a signature cue for Aedes mosquitoes to detect the NHP baboon, sykes and vervet, whereas for humans, it is the unsaturated aliphatic keto-analogue 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (sulcatone). We find that in the sylvatic environment, CO 2 -baited traps combined with either cyclohexanone or sulcatone increased trap catches of Aedes mosquitoes compared to traps either baited with CO 2 alone or CO 2 combined with NHP- or human-derived crude skin odours. In the domestic environment, each of these odourants and crude human skin odours increased Aedes aegypti catches in CO 2 -baited traps. These results expand our knowledge on the role of host odours in the ecologies of Aedes mosquitoes, and the likelihood of associated spread of pathogens between primates and humans. Both cyclohexanone and sulcatone have potential practical applications as lures for monitoring Aedes disease vectors.