Use of Synthetic Membranes and Bovine Blood in Artificial Feeding Systems of Mosquitoes Improves Feeding Rates: Results from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Artificial blood feeding of mosquitoes is essential for their rearing in insectaries as well as for mosquito-borne pathogen transmission experiments. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the different artificial feeding systems available for mosquitoes to synthesize evidence regarding their efficacy in terms of feeding rates and fecundity. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to retrieve 1,822 experimental studies assessing the efficacy of artificial feeding systems.

Determination of Species Identity and Genetic Diversity of Aedes aegypti and Other Medically Important Mosquitoes of India Using DNA Barcoding.

Aedes aegypti-borne viruses (i.e., dengue, chikungunya, and Zika) have become endemic to India, posing a severe threat to public health.

Metagenomic Analysis of Viromes of Mosquitoes across India.

Metagenomic analysis of and mosquitoes from diverse geographical regions of India revealed the presence of several insect viruses of human interest. Most abundant reads found in mosquitoes were of Phasi Charoen-like virus (PCLV), granulovirus (CfGV), Cell fusing agent virus (CFAV), and Wenzhou sobemo-like virus 4 (WSLV4), whereas WSLV4 and CfGV constituted the highest percentage of reads in viromes. Other reads that were of low percentage included Hubei mosquito virus 2 (HMV2), Porcine astrovirus 4 (PAstV4), and Wild Boar astrovirus (WBAstV).

Diversity of sandflies in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India, a region endemic to Chandipura virus encephalitis.

Background & Objectives: Sandflies are implicated as vectors of Chandipura virus (CHPV) (Vesiculovirus: Rhabdoviridae). The virus is prevalent in central India including Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. CHPV causes encephalitis in children below 15 yr of age with case fatality rates ranging from 56 to 78 per cent.

Genomic Characterization of Mosquito Isolates of Chikungunya Virus (Outbreak Strains 2022) Using Next-Generation Sequencing.

A massive outbreak of dengue-like illness was reported from Pune district of Maharashtra, India during May-June 2022. Isolation and characterization of the etiological agent at genomic level for possible mutations that led to higher transmissibility is the topic of the study. Entomological investigations were carried out by ICMR-National Institute of Virology (Pune, India); mosquitoes were collected and processed for virus detection by molecular techniques.