@article{fdi:010092940,
  title = {{H}ost-feeding preferences of {C}ulex pipiens and its potential significance for flavivirus transmission in the {C}amargue, {F}rance},
  author = {{R}odríguez-{V}alencia, {V}. and {O}live, {M}. {M}. and {L}e {G}off, {G}ilbert and {F}aisse, {M}arine and {B}ourel, {M}. and {L}'{A}mbert, {G}. and {V}ollot, {B}. and {T}olsá-{G}arcía, {M}. {J}. and {P}aupy, {C}hristophe and {R}oiz, {D}avid},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he spread of the {W}est {N}ile ({WNV}) and {U}sutu ({USUV}) flaviviruses in {E}urope in recent decades highlights the urgent need to understand the transmission networks of these pathogens as a basis for effective decision-making. {T}hese viruses are part of a complex disease cycle that involves birds as principal hosts and humans and horses as dead-end hosts. {O}ur study aims to uncover the intricate relationships between the main mosquito vector of these viruses, {C}ulex pipiens {L}. ({D}iptera: {C}ulicidae) and its feeding preferences based on the forage ratio among several host species, primarily birds in a land-use gradient. {W}e estimated the bird host potential to act as a host for flavivirus, the reservoir capacity index, based on forage ratios and potential host competence based on molecular prevalence. {W}e sampled mosquitoes and, at the same time, conducted bird censuses in the {C}amargue region in southern {F}rance, where co-circulation of these viruses has been reported. {S}everal localities were sampled along a land-use gradient in peri-urban, agricultural and natural areas from {M}ay to {N}ovember 2021. {W}e identified 55 vertebrate species in 110 engorged {C}x. pipiens by {PCR} amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial 12{S} and 16{S} {R}ibosomal {DNA} genes. {C}ulex pipiens feeds primarily on 51 bird species and secondarily on two mammals, one amphibian and one reptile. {B}ased on forage ratios, we found a preference of {C}x. pipiens in the {C}amargue for the order {P}asseriformes and, more specifically, for {C}olumba livia domestica {L}. ({C}olumbiformes: {C}olumbidae) in agricultural areas, and for {P}asser domesticus/montanus {L}. ({P}asseriformes: {P}asseridae), in agricultural and peri-urban areas. {T}he natural habitats had significantly higher forage ratio values than agricultural and peri-urban areas. {W}e suggest that certain key species, such as {P}asser sp., {C}olumba livia and {T}urdus sp., might be potentially considered locally relevant hosts for transmission in this area, as they are important for mosquito feeding and also potentially important hosts for flavivirus amplification. {T}hese data will be beneficial in understanding host-vector interactions and the relationships between bird communities, mosquito feeding preferences and emerging mosquito-borne diseases.},
  keywords = {bloodmeal preferences ; {C}amargue ; {C}ulex pipiens ; forage ratio ; {F}rance ; mosquito-borne diseases ; {U}sutu ; {W}est {N}ile virus ; {FRANCE} ; {CAMARGUE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{M}edical and {V}eterinary {E}ntomology},
  volume = {[{E}arly access]},
  numero = {},
  pages = {[12 p.]},
  ISSN = {0269-283{X}},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1111/mve.12802},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010092940},
}