Determining Temperature Preference of Mosquitoes and Other Ectotherms

Amirah Haziqah-Rashid; Kinga Stobierska; Lorna Glenn; Soeren Metelmann; Ken Sherlock; Ewa Chrostek; Marcus S. C. Blagrove

doi:10.3791/64356

JoVE Journal
Biology

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JoVE Journal Biology

Determining Temperature Preference of Mosquitoes and Other Ectotherms

确定蚊子和其他变温动物的温度偏好

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05:31 min

September 28, 2022

DOI: 10.3791/64356-v

Amirah Haziqah-Rashid¹, Kinga Stobierska¹, Lorna Glenn¹, Soeren Metelmann^1,2, Ken Sherlock³, Ewa Chrostek¹, Marcus S. C. Blagrove¹

¹Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences,University of Liverpool, ²COVID-19 Outbreak Surveillance Team,UK Health Security Agency, ³Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences,University of Liverpool

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Overview

This study presents a simple and cost-effective method for assessing temperature preferences in insects using a two-chamber apparatus. The method allows insects to engage in natural behaviors, revealing their preferred environmental temperature.

Key Study Components

Research Area

Insect behavior
Temperature preference
Habitat choice

Background

Insects thrive within specific temperature ranges.
Various factors influence their temperature preferences.
Understanding temperature choices impacts ecological and evolutionary studies.

Methods Used

Two-chamber apparatus for temperature choice
Mosquitoes and Drosophila melanogaster as model organisms
Visual scoring and carbon dioxide anesthesia for insect handling

Main Results

Mosquitoes preferred 27°C over 30°C under varying conditions.
Drosophila melanogaster also favored 25°C over warmer temperatures.
Methodology showcased the insects' ability to exhibit natural behaviors in temperature selection.

Conclusions

This study successfully demonstrates an effective way to study temperature preference in insects.
The findings have implications for understanding insect behavior in changing environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the two-chamber setup?

To allow insects to freely choose their preferred temperature, enabling observation of natural behaviors.

Which insects were studied using this method?

The study examined mosquitoes and Drosophila melanogaster.

How is the temperature monitored in the experiment?

A temperature probe is used to confirm the incubator's air temperature.

What is a key challenge during the experiment?

Removing the acrylic breach without escaping the insects is the most challenging part.

Why is carbon dioxide used during the procedure?

CO2 anesthetizes the insects, making handling easier and safer.

What was observed when both chambers were at 27°C?

There was no significant preference, indicating the insects' ability to choose freely.

What implications do the results have?

The study helps in understanding how insects may respond to thermal changes in their habitats.

昆虫有一个最佳的环境温度范围，它们试图保持在其中，许多外部和内部因素可以改变这种偏好。在这里，我们描述了一种经济高效且简单的方法来研究温度选择，该方法允许昆虫自由地展示其自然行为。

这种双室装置设置用于研究昆虫的温度偏好，并且可以修改以研究其他二元选择偏好情况，例如浅湿度与深色或高湿度与低湿度。这种技术的主要优点是设置简单，宽敞的区域允许昆虫在选择首选温度时展示其飞行性质，并且无需外部设备即可轻松划痕。该方案中最困难的部分是在实验后去除丙烯酸裂缝。

这是因为昆虫逃逸的可能性很高。因此，对我们来说，使用二氧化碳来麻醉昆虫至关重要。演示该程序的是Kinga Stobierska和Lorna Glenn，他们都是我实验室的硕士生。

首先，准备 2 个带有 12 厘米袖口的空蚊笼，并确保没有孔或其他损坏。然后使用机械吸气器，将30只昆虫转移到单独的笼子中，以便在实验后更容易处理和处置。将培养箱设置为所需的温度，并让它们加热并稳定。

达到 25 至 30 摄氏度的温度大约需要 30 分钟。然后将一个空蚊笼放入孵化器中，并通过孵化器的前孔喂食笼子的袖子。用温度探头确认培养箱的内部空气温度。

接下来，将用胶带准备好的可打开翻盖放在丙烯酸管的孔上。卷起从第一个培养箱前面的孔中伸出的套筒，并用松紧带将其固定在丙烯酸管的一端。然后将培养箱面对面放置，并将丙烯酸管的一端插入第二个培养箱孔的套筒中。

确保亚克力管的直径大于培养箱前面的孔，使其完全覆盖孔。确保亚克力管没有松动并在培养箱之间悬空。如果是，请拉动笼套以去除笼子和橡皮筋之间的多余材料。

要将蚊子放入其中，请打开胶带翻盖。将漏斗放入丙烯酸管的孔中，然后通过漏斗将昆虫倒入管中。清空昆虫后，取下漏斗并用胶带翻盖盖住管孔。

静置 30 分钟，让昆虫选择首选的房间。在沉降时间结束时，目视观察并记下在亚克力管桥中看到的昆虫数量。然后将桥中的所有昆虫轻拍或吹到培养箱的两侧，或者将二氧化碳释放到桥中。

接下来，用紧结快速固定两侧的亚克力管上的袖子并关闭袖子。然后从两个孵化器中取出笼子，并目视计数每个笼子中的昆虫。确保孵化器和桥梁的数量加起来为 30。

在本研究中，使用两室模型确定蚊子和果蝇的温度偏好。结果显示，当两个笼子都保持在27摄氏度时，没有显着差异，这表明蚊子能够在表现出自然行为的笼子之间自由选择。相反，当两个房间设置在不同的温度下时，蚊子始终选择27摄氏度而不是30摄氏度的最佳温度。

同样，当用黑腹果蝇（另一种外胚层模型）测试该装置时，果蝇避开了温暖的房间，并更喜欢25摄氏度的最佳温度。确保设置完全密封，没有隐藏空间，也没有网状物破坏飞行区域，以便昆虫可以在 2 个腔室之间自由选择。

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