Olfaction in Culex mosquitoes: molecules to percept and beyond

Southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, transmits many serious diseases including West Nile Virus that is now emerging as the dominant vector borne diseases across Northern America. Olfaction plays a critical role in feeding and survival. A variety of odorant molecules released from hosts and habitats are detected by olfactory receptors (Ors) expressed on antennal Olfactory Receptor Neurons (ORNs). A comprehensive account of chemical landscape, reception and perception underlying the complex Culex-host interaction will be presented in the poster. Additionally, unique host shifts in Culex where adults alternate host feeding based on availability and abundance of host population will be discussed.