Understanding behavioral plasticity across Aedes aegypti populations to enhance surveillance and vector control strategies.

The mosquito Aedes aegypti, main vector of arboviruses such as dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV), represents a major public health threat. In absence of treatment and efficient vaccines, vector control remains essential for limiting arboviruses impact. Ae. aegypti traps are an essential element for both vector monitoring and control. Different types of traps exist, targeting female behaviors such as host-seeking (i.e. BG-sentinelles) or oviposition (i.e. Gravidtrap). However, behavioral variations in Ae. aegypti have been reported in the literature, which may compromise the effectiveness of traps in different contexts. For example, molecules cited as attractive in one study may be reported as repellent to the species in others. In addition to methodological differences between these studies, factors linked to mosquito populations like differential antennal perception of odors could also explain these behavioral variations, but to the best of our knowledge, there are no studies comparing the effect of an attractant/deterrent over several mosquito genotypes. Indeed, available studies assess the behavior and antennal perception of mosquitoes using laboratory-bred colonies, thus neglecting potential variations between Ae. aegypti field populations. Finally, arbovirus ingestion leads to disseminated infections in the mosquito that can alter antennal perception of olfactory stimuli, and consequently behavior as recently reported, but again, this issue remains understudied. In this context, we propose a doctoral translational research project, organized into three workpackages (WP), supported by the Institut Pasteur Guadeloupe (IPG) and Institut Pasteur of French Guiana (IPFG). Thanks to existing collaborations within Pasteur Network, we can assess (i) how Ae. aegypti antennal perception and behaviors vary from one population to another around the world, as well as (ii) the impact of infection on Ae. aegypti neurons, antennal perception and behavior. Finally, we propose to (iii) conduct field trials in Guadeloupe and French Guiana to validate attractants identified through previous experiments.