Effect of Temperature on Mosquito Olfaction

Mosquitoes use a wide range of cues to find a host to feed on, eventually leading to the transmission of pathogens. Among them, olfactory cues (e.g., host-emitted odors, including CO 2, and skin volatiles) play a central role in mediat ing host-seeking behaviors. While mosquito olfaction can be impacted by many factors, such as the physiologica l state of the insect (e.g., age, reproductive st ate), the impact of environmental temperature on the olfactory system remains unknown. In this study, we quantified the behavioral responses of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, vectors of dengue, yellow fever, and Zika viruses, among other pathogens, to host and plant-related odors under different environmental temperatures.