The role of larval rearing media types in regulating the growth and development of Phlebotomus papatasi larvae
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Nora N. Ufot (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Gideon Wasserberg
Abstract: Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by the protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. There are no vaccinations for leishmaniasis, and current treatment options are limited. Modifying the gut microbiome is an innovative potential way to affect insect host behavior, development, and vector competence to interrupt pathogen transmission. This topic of the influence of microbes on sand fly development and survival is poorly studied. Previous studies demonstrated that sterile medium decreases developmental rates in Lutzomyia Longipalpis. However, they could still complete their development even in an axenic rearing medium, devoid of any living bacteria. It was also found that sterile medium inoculated with selected microbes enhanced larval developmental rates. My general hypothesis is that a viable bacterial community in larval media is essential for the proper development of sand fly larvae. I also hypothesize that larva fed on standard larval media would demonstrate the fastest developmental rate and highest survival rate than those fed on sterile food. To this effect, I aimed to test the effect of bacterial presence on larval development, and subsequently test the effect of larval food type on larval development. Overall, there is a statistically significant difference between the survivorship of larvae fed standard media and larvae fed sterile media, with higher developmental and survival rates in larvae that received standard media as opposed to larvae fed sterile media. Likewise, a higher developmental and survival rate was observed in larvae that were fed reinoculated media compared to larvae fed sterile media. However, when larvae were fed with attractive, conditioned media, they demonstrated lower percent survivorship than larvae fed standard media.
The role of larval rearing media types in regulating the growth and development of Phlebotomus papatasi larvae
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Created on 8/1/2022
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2022
- Keywords
- Larval development, Leishmaniasis, Microbes, Optimal oviposition site selection, Rearing medium sterility, Sand flies
- Subjects
- Phlebotomus papatasi $x Larvae $x Microbiology
- Leishmaniasis