Adaptation and Carry Over Effects of Extreme Sporadic Heat Stress in
Culex Mosquitoes
Abstract
Mosquitoes, as temperature-sensitive ectothermic vectors, exhibit
temperature-dependent traits like reproduction and survival. This study
investigates Culex pallens (Cx. pallens) mosquito responses to abrupt
temperature increases and their implications for mosquito control
programs. Cx. pallens first instar larvae (24hr post hatching) and newly
enclosed adults (24hr post emergence) were separately exposed to heat
shock regimes of 33℃, 37℃, and 42℃ for 3 days alongside a control
temperature of 27℃. Results showed that mortality was triggered at 42℃
within a day. Newly enclosed males were less tolerant to all
temperatures than larvae and females (p < 0.05. Heat exposure
significantly decreased larvae’s development time, growth and adult
emergency (p < 0.05). Reproductive fitness was significantly
reduced (p < 0.05) in males emerging from larvae exposed to
37℃. Life table parameters showed significantly increased mortality
rate, kill power and decreased life expectancy at the embryonic stage (p
< 0.05). Sporadic heat deactivated the Transient receptor
protein ankyrin 1 at 37℃ (p < 0.05) in larvae but not adults.
Calmodium, Heat shock protein 90, and small heat shock protein
expression was significantly decreased in larvae at 37℃ (p <
0.05) as compared to larvae raised at 33℃ and 27℃. In conclusion, we
classified the heat waves into three categories: adaptable (33℃),
critical (37℃), and fatal (42℃). Prolonged exposure of Cx. pallens
larvae to heat affects the male reproductive output. These findings may
serve as an important reference for forecasting vector and pest
dynamics. They can be used to tailor mosquito prevention and control
measures.