『Tiger Mosquito Larvae Exhibit Consistent Individual Personality (November 2025)』のカバーアート

Tiger Mosquito Larvae Exhibit Consistent Individual Personality (November 2025)

Tiger Mosquito Larvae Exhibit Consistent Individual Personality (November 2025)

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 Briefing Document: Personality Traits in the Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictusSource: Cordeschi, G., Mastrantonio, V., De Nicola, C. et al. Insect vectors have personality: first evidence with the tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. Sci Rep 15, 39943 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-23665-wDate: Received - 16 June 2025 | Accepted - 08 October 2025 | Published - 14 November 2025Executive SummaryThis document synthesizes findings from a foundational study providing the first evidence of animal personality in a mosquito species, the tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. Researchers investigated personality traits in the larval stage, a critical phase in the mosquito life cycle. The study demonstrates that individual mosquito larvae exhibit consistent, repeatable differences in behavior across time, specifically in the traits of activity, exploration, and boldness.Key findings indicate that these traits are not only stable within individuals but are also significantly correlated, forming a "behavioral syndrome" where more active larvae are also bolder and more exploratory. These individual behavioral variations were observed independent of sex. The discovery of personality in mosquito larvae challenges the traditional view of insects as having purely stereotyped behaviors and introduces a new dimension of intra-specific diversity.The implications of these findings are substantial, impacting both basic mosquito biology and applied public health strategies. Larval personality may influence population dynamics through differential resource acquisition and survival rates. Furthermore, these traits could persist through metamorphosis ("carry-over effects"), affecting adult mosquito characteristics such as dispersal and disease transmission potential. Critically, the study suggests that the effectiveness of current larval control methods—both chemical and biological—may be influenced by the personality composition of a mosquito population. This research lays the groundwork for incorporating behavioral ecology into vector control strategies and the management of mosquito-borne diseases. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Introduction: The Concept of Animal Personality in InsectsAnimal personality is defined as consistent, inter-individual variation in behavioral traits that is stable across time and different contexts. For the past two decades, this has been a central topic in behavioral ecology, primarily focusing on vertebrates. Key personality traits include boldness (risk-taking), exploration, activity, aggressiveness, and sociability. These traits are often correlated, forming what are known as behavioral syndromes.A growing body of research demonstrates that personality significantly influences ecological and evolutionary processes by affecting:Population demography and persistenceLocal adaptationDispersal dynamicsSpecies interactionsWhile initial research concentrated on vertebrates, an increasing number of studies have documented personality in invertebrates, including insects. This has challenged the conventional view that insects exhibit purely stereotyped behaviors. It is now evident that personality shapes insect population ecology and evolution. For instance:In the field cricket Gryllus integer, populations exposed to higher predation exhibit reduced boldness.In the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus, bolder and more exploratory individuals are more likely to disperse and host parasites.Despite this progress, the existence and implications of personality traits in mosquito species remained an unexplored area of research until this study.2. Study Context: The Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus)Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) comprise approximately 3,500 species and are globally significant vectors for major diseases affecting humans and animals, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya. The larval stage is a critical part of their life cycle, as it is when they accumulate the necessary food reserves for metamorphosis. Conditions experienced during this stage can have lasting "carry-over effects" on adult traits and, consequently, on their potential to transmit pathogens.The subject of this study, the tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, is an invasive species native to Asia that has spread to every continent except Antarctica. Its rapid expansion and capacity to vector several arboviruses make it a major global threat to public health.The primary objective of this research was to address the gap in mosquito biology by investigating the presence of personality traits in Ae. albopictus larvae. Specifically, the study aimed to:Characterize the larval personality traits of activity, exploration, and boldness.Assess whether these traits are consistent and repeatable over time.Determine if these traits are correlated, indicating a behavioral syndrome.3. MethodologyThe study was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions using 41 Ae. albopictus...
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