Vector Competence and Vertical Transmission of Zika Virus in (Diptera: Culicidae).

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne pathogen belonging to the genus of the family . is widely distributed in China. However, little is known about the vector competence of in China. The present study presents the oral susceptibility and vector competence of Guangzhou strain to ZIKV. Additionally, vertical transmission of ZIKV is described. The results demonstrated the susceptibility of local mosquitoes to ZIKV with an extrinsic incubation period of 6 days. Disseminated infection was observed in starting on day 2 postinfection (PI). Starting on day 6 PI, the saliva of exhibited ZIKV infection, and the transmission rate was 36.4%. Vertical transmission was observed during the first gonotrophic cycle. The minimum infection rate was observed in third-to-fourth instar larvae.