Aedes aegypti spermathecome

Aedes aegypti is a major vector of arboviruses such as Yellow Fever, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika, whose control is difficult because of its high reproductive capacity. Successful mating of mosquito females typically occurs once, with the male sperm being stored in the female spermatheca for every oviposition event thereafter. The female spermatheca is responsible for maintenance, nutrition, and protection of the male sperm against damage during storage. Here, we report on the molecular mechanisms responsible for the long-term sperm storage in the spermathecae of Ae. aegypti.