Data for: Thermal Infrared Directs Host-seeking Behavior in Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes

Mosquito-borne diseases affect hundreds of millions of people annually and
disproportionately impact the developing world. One mosquito species,
Aedes (Ae.) aegypti, is a primary vector of viruses that cause dengue,
yellow fever, and Zika. The attraction of Ae. aegypti females to humans
requires integrating multiple cues, including CO2 from breath, organic
odors from skin, and visual cues, all sensed at mid and long ranges, and
other cues sensed at very close range. Here we identify a new cue that Ae.
aegypti use as part of their sensory arsenal to find humans. We
demonstrate that they sense the infrared radiation (IR) emanating from
their targets and use this information in combination with other cues for
highly effective mid-range navigation. Detection of thermal IR requires
the heat-activated channel TRPA1, which is expressed in neurons at the tip
of the antenna. Two opsins are co-expressed with TRPA1 in these neurons
and promote the detection of lower IR intensities. We propose that radiant
energy causes local heating at the end of the antenna, thereby activating
temperature-sensitive receptors in thermosensory neurons. The realization
that thermal IR is an outstanding mid-range directional cue expands our
understanding as to how mosquitoes are exquisitely effective in locating
hosts.