Scientists Understand Female Mosquitos, At Last
United Press International
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Columbus, Oh (United States):
Ohio State University scientists have determined how female mosquitoes decide to switch from feeding on blood to an all-sugar diet to prepare for winter The entomologists isolated three genes that determine when the switch occurs.
And David Denlinger, professor of entomology, says he hopes the discovery will lead scientists to determine how insects handle the West Nile Virus. Only female mosquitoes draw blood, and only females survive the winter. The sugars they eat in the form of rotting fruit or nectar allow them double their weight in fat so they can survive the winter without food. Although researchers have long known about the diet change, this is the first time anyone has determined why it happens.
Identifying the genes is the first major discovery from Denlinger's new mosquito research program. Understanding the genes is important, he said, because there are suggestions the West Nile Virus survives through the winter inside the bodies of female mosquitoes, he said.
Oct 19, 2005
United Press International ____________________
Columbus, Oh (United States):
Ohio State University scientists have determined how female mosquitoes decide to switch from feeding on blood to an all-sugar diet to prepare for winter The entomologists isolated three genes that determine when the switch occurs.
And David Denlinger, professor of entomology, says he hopes the discovery will lead scientists to determine how insects handle the West Nile Virus. Only female mosquitoes draw blood, and only females survive the winter. The sugars they eat in the form of rotting fruit or nectar allow them double their weight in fat so they can survive the winter without food. Although researchers have long known about the diet change, this is the first time anyone has determined why it happens.
Identifying the genes is the first major discovery from Denlinger's new mosquito research program. Understanding the genes is important, he said, because there are suggestions the West Nile Virus survives through the winter inside the bodies of female mosquitoes, he said.
Oct 19, 2005
