Increased temperatures reduce the vectorial capacity of mosquitoes for Zika virus.

Abstract

Rapid and significant range expansion of both Zika virus (ZIKV) and its vector species has resulted in ZIKV being declared a global health threat. Mean temperatures are projected to increase globally, likely resulting in alterations of the transmission potential of mosquito-borne pathogens. To understand the effect of diurnal temperature range on the vectorial capacity of and for ZIKV, longevity, blood-feeding and vector competence were assessed at two temperature regimes following feeding on infectious blood meals. Higher temperatures resulted in decreased longevity of [Log-rank test, χ2, df 35.66, 5, < 0.001] and a decrease in blood-feeding rates of [Fisher's exact test, < 0.001]. Temperature had a population and species-specific impact on ZIKV infection rates. Overall, reared at the lowest temperature regime demonstrated the highest vectorial capacity (0.53) and the highest transmission efficiency (57%). Increased temperature decreased vectorial capacity across groups yet more significant effects were measured with relative to . The results of this study suggest that future increases in temperature in the Americas could significantly impact vector competence, blood-feeding and longevity, and potentially decrease the overall vectorial capacity of mosquitoes in the Americas.