CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION TO VECTOR
BIOLOGY
 Acknowledgments

• Jimma university
• Addis Ababa university
• Hawassa university
• Haramaya university
• Gonder university
• American society of clinical pathology
• CDC
 Learning objective
At the end of this chapter the student will be able
to:
– Define terms relevant to the biology of vector

– Describe the medical importance of arthropods

– Explain the major characteristics of arthropods

– Describe the morphology and biology of insects

– Describe the taxonomic classification of arthropods

– List medically important classes of arthropods

 OUTLINE

• Introduction
• General Characteristics of arthropods
• Taxonomic Classifications of arthropods
• Classes of medical importance
• Morphing and biology of arthropods
• Insect growth basics
• Medical importance of arthropods
Why study vector biology ?
Why study….. ?

• Insects play a leading role in transmission

many of the world worst diseases:

• It is estimated that 10% of global disease is

transmitted by arthropod vectors.
Why study …. ?

• E.g. Organisms transported by vectors

– Protozoa- Malaria, Sleeping sickness

– Arbovirus-Equine encephalitis,Yellow fever

– Rickettsia- Endemic typhus,Murine typhus

– Bacteria- Plague

– Nematodes, Elephantiasis, River blindness etc…

Why study …. ?

• Understanding the pathology of vector transmitted

diseases is critical to finding solutions.

• Understanding the biology of the vector agents

and factors affecting vector borne disease

transmission is important for vector control

Factors affecting vector borne disease
transmission
– Vector distribution ( Inturn dependent upon climate,
Habitat etc.)
– Vector abundance (affected, weather, food etc.)
– Life expectancy of vector
– Preference of vectors as proposed to alternative
hosts
– Feeding rate of vector
– Vector competence( efficiency of transmission)
– Population density of the host
Why…?

• This course attempts to provide an

understanding of Arthropod (predominantly
insect) biology in relation to disease
transmission.
1. Introduction to Arthropods
1.1 Diversity and abundance of arthropods

• The arthropods are by far the most successful

phylum of animals, both

– in diversity of distribution and

– in numbers of species and individuals.

• They have adapted successfully to life in water, on

land and in the air.

1.1 Diversity and abundance of arthropods

• Relative abundance.
– 3/4 (About 80% )of all known species of animals are
arthropods.
– More known species of arthropods than known
species of plants and animals combined.
– about 800,000 species have been described, and
– recent estimates put the total number of species in

the phylum at about 6 million.

Diversity and abundance….

• Diversity
– Great diversity in form and habitat.
– Found in a greater variety of habitats than any
other animal group;
• On top of mountains,
• At great depths in the ocean and
• In the icy wilderness of antarctica.
– They can survive great extremes of temperature,
toxicity, acidity and salinity.
2. Characteristics of Arthropods
 2. General characteristics

• Arthropoda = Jointed foot

• Comprises invertebrate animals with:
– Segmented body
– Several pairs of jointed appendages
– Bilateral symmetry
– Rigid, chitinous exoskeleton that is periodically
molted as the animal grows.

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2.1 Metamerism

• Metamerism- body is segmented.

• Exoskeleton and metamerism causes molting

2.2 Exoskeleton

• Exoskeleton- body covered with a hard external

skeleton
• Why an exoskeleton?
• Why not bones? Exoskeleton good for small
things, protects body from damage (rainfall,
falling, etc.).
• Bones better for large things
2.3 Bilateral Symmetry

• Bilateral Symmetry- body can be divided into two

identical halves
2.4 Jointed Appendages

• Jointed appendages- each segment may

have one pair of appendages, such as:
• Legs
• Wings
• Mouthparts
2.5 Open Circulatory System

• Open Circulatory System- blood washes over

organs and is not entirely closed by blood vessels.
Our system is a closed one
2.6 Ventral Nerve Cord

• Ventral Nerve Cord- one nerve cord, similar to

our spinal column
3. Classifications
 [Link]

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 [Link]

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4. Classes of Medical
Importance
4.1 SUBPHYLUM Crustacean (Formerly a
Class)

• Lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, and others

• Primarily aquatic
• Free-floating larval stage
• 26,000+ known species
• Branched appendages:
• gills on legs, for example, in a lobster
4.2 Class Diplopoda….

• Millipedes milli means thousand, pede means

legs, so ('thousand legged creature'?)

• Most feed on decaying matter

• Diplo means two, poda means feet, so two pair

of legs per segment

4.2 Class Diplopoda…

• Generally harmless detritus feeders

• pests in nursing homes.

• Some species can eject cyanide (poison), so

be careful if traveling to South America

4.4 Class Chilopoda-Centipede

• Centi means hundred, pede means legs, so

"hundred legged creature"?

• 1 pair of legs per segment

• Usually shiny, reddish brown, less than 3

inches long
 4.4 Class Chilopoda…

• Move rapidly, often found under logs; some in homes

• Can bite

• have poison claws- modified 1st pair of legs

• supposedly feels like a bee sting

 4.5 Class Arachnida

• Ticks, mites, and spiders

• No antennae

• Two body regions: cephalothorax and abdomen

• Feeding appendages are chelicerae Most are

carnivorous
 4.5 Class Arachnida…

• They hold the prey with chelicerae, and pour

enzyme-rich salivary juices over the victim

• Digestion is mostly external

• Most are terrestrial

• 57,000 known species

4.6 Class Insecta

• Insect means in (into) sect (cut).

• insects are the most numerous and diverse of all
the groups of arthropods.
• There are more species of insects than species
in all the other classes of animals combined!!
4.6 Class Insecta…

• Insects differ from other arthropods in having

– Three pairs of legs.

– In size

• Insects range from < 1 mm to 20 cm in length,

• The majority being less than 2.5 cm long.

Class insecta

Characteristics:
• Body divided in to head, thorax, abdomen

• Head carries one pair of antennae

• Thorax carries 3 pairs of legs

• Wings may be present (one or two pairs) or

absent
4.6.1 Morphology and Biology of insects

• 3 body segments-

head, thorax (chest),

abdomen (stomach

area).
4.6.1 Morphology…

• Head carries one pair of antennae

 4.6.1 Morphology…

• Head consisted of 6 fused segments

– 2nd, 4th, 5th & 6th bore appendages in the
adult stage
• Thorax consisted of 3 distinct segments
• The thoracic segments later developed wings
• Prothorax, Mesothorax, Metathorax
• Mesothorax has scutum,

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scutellum and post - scutellum
 4.6.1 Morphology…
• The abdomen consisted of 12 distinct segments
each with a pair of appendages
• The digestive system consisted of three parts:
• Foregut : starts with the mouth followed by the pharynx,
oesophagus, crop and proventriculus (gizzard).
• Sacculate midgut or ’’Stomach’’
• Hindgut : ileum, colon and rectum & emptying through
anus

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4.6.1 Morphology…

• Wings- usually two pairs of wings, although some

have one pair of wings, or none. No other class of
arthropods has wings. (Have you ever seen a flying
Lobster?!)
4.6.1 Morphology…

• Thorax carries 3 pairs of legs

• 1pair to each of the 3 thoracic segments.
• Compound eyes, with facets (ommatidia).
4.6.1 Morphology…

• Insect mouthparts
– 1. chewing (beetles, cockroaches).
– 2. piercing-sucking (mosquitoes, bugs).
– 3. lapping and sponging (flies).
Insect Mouth Parts and Transmission of
Parasites

• Piercing-sucking - mosquito, tube structure

penetrate skin and blood flows out the tube.
Usually releases anticoagulating substance to
prevent blood clotting.
• Cutting-sponging - sharp mandibles that break
the skin and a labium that acts like a sponge.
Important in transmission of organisms. Horsefly
Insect mouth….

• Sponging mouth type:

– Labium acts as a large sponge that absorbs liquids.

– Often regurgitates chemicals to breakdown the

material.

– The housefly, Musca domestica is perhaps the most

important insect to man because of its spread of
disease
 4.6.1 Morphology…
• The circulatory system:
• A pulsating dorsal tube (the heart) with valves, pumps
the blood (haemolymph) in one direction forwards into
the aorta.
– Bathes all organs and tissues

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4.6.1 Morphology…

• The respiratory system:

– A branching system of tracheal tubes reaches all
parts of the body and opens to outside by
respiratory spiracles(holes)
– So, they do not have lungs at all.
 4.6.1 Morphology…

• The excretory system:

• Tubes of varying number (Malpighian tubes)

• Waste products (urine) from the haemolymph

and excrete them into the gut to come out with
faeces from the anus

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4.6.1 Morphology…

• The nervous system is composed of:

• Nerve ganglia in the head (brain)

• Ventral nerve cord

• Nerves extend from these ganglia to

different parts of th body

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 4.6.1 Morphology…

• The reproductive system (separate sexes):

• Male genital system: two testes, two
vasefferentia, vas deferens, a seminal vesicle,
ejaculatory duct , aedeagus (penus)

• Female genital system : two ovaries, two

oviducts, vagina opening externally in the vulva.
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 Body parts of an insect

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 Identification of Vectors(Arthropods)

• Keys for identification:

1. How many legs does it have?
• 6 for insect
• 8 for arachnid
2. Does the insect have any wings?
• Walking insect
• Flying insect

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 Identification…..
3. Does the insect have any antennae or feelers?
– End in a point
– ‘Knotted' at the ends

4. Are there any moving jaw or mouthparts?

– Biting pincer-like parts
– Straw-like mouth part for sucking
 Structure Class Insecta Class Class
(Hexapoda) Arachnida Crustacea
(Octapoda)
Body Head Cephalothora Cephalothora
Thorax x x
Abdomen Abdomen Abdomen

Antennae One pair Absent Two pairs

Legs 3 pairs 4 pairs 4 pairs
Wings 1 – 2 pairs Absent Absent
Some times absent
Examples Mosquitoes Ticks Cyclops
Flies Mites
Bugs Scorpion
Lice
Fleas

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5. Insect Growth Basics
 5. Insect Growth Basics

• Insects develop from egg.

• Eggs come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

• They hatch from the egg, and begin eating

• Sooner or later they become too big for their

exoskeletons.
 5. Insect Growth Basics

• Development of arthropods:
– Arthropods develop from eggs to adult (known as
metamorphosis)
– They Molt , or shed their skins.
– Molting is the shedding of old cuticle and expanding
into a new and larger one.
– Changes in the insect may occur with each molt.
This is called metamorphosis , or a change in form.
5.1 Types of Metamorphosis

• Partial metamorphosis (gradual, incomplete)

• Complete metamorphosis *most advanced*

1. Incomplete metamorphosis (Hemimetabolous):

• Egg  Nymph  Adult

• Immature forms are called NYMPHS resemble the
adult stage.
• Gradual change in appearance.
• For example, wing pads grow longer with each molt, and
eventually into wings in the adult.

• Generally have the same food source as the adult.

2. Complete metamorphosis (Holometabolous):

• The intermediate stages (larva & pupa) differ from

the adult stage.
Egg  larva  pupa  adult

• Larva and adult may have radically different food

sources, with very different environments.
• Example: butterflies. Or, they may have same food
source: bees.
6. Medical importance of arthropods
 6.1 Harmful effects of arthropods

1. Direct harm
a. Annoyance-flies interfere with your work and
rest. (biting flies, fleas, lice, ants or flies at a
picnic, cockroaches)
b. Venom-stings of scorpions and spiders may
even cause death.
c. Accidental injury to sense organs (insect in eye,
ear, swallow an insect
Harmful effects of arthropods
1. Direct harm
Parasites-Fly larvae may cause myiasis, scabies et
• Dermatosis (lice, mites)
• Myiasis (infestation of fly larvae)
• Allergy and related conditions (dust mites)
• Blood loss from blood feeding insects (mosquitos,
Fleas, etc)
6. Harmful …

2. Transmission of diseases:
a. Mechanical transmission.
b. Biological transmission.

Fig. Transmission of vector – borne diseases

 [Link] transmission:
• no reproduction or developmental changes of
the Pathogen. E.g. House fly

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2. Biological transmission:

[Link] (obligatory or natural vector)

• The pathogen either reproduces, develops or
both in the vector.
a. Types
a. Propagative
b. Cyclopropagative
c. Cyclodevelopmental
d. Transovarian.
a. Propagative:
• Multiplication of the pathogen without
developmental change.
E.G plague (flea), yellow fever (aedes aegypti)
b. Cyclopropagative:
• Multiplication and developmental change of the
pathogen.
– E.G malaria (anopheles), trypanosomiasis (tse
tse fly)
 c. Cyclodevelopmental:
– The pathogenic organisms undergo a change in
form without multiplication.
Eg. Filaria in mosquitoes

d. Transporting :
– the pathogen remains without multiplication or
development.
– E.g. D. Latum (cyclops)
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d. Transovarian:
– organisms transmitted to progeny through Ova.
– E.g Scrub typhus (Trombicula)
Ways insects are beneficial to man

• Transfer of pollen in plants

• Useful products (honey, bees wax, silk)
• Major component of the food chain
• Biological control, decomposition of organic matter
• Beauty - butterflies
• Medicine - some used for medicinal purposes
especially in Eastern medicine
 Summary
• Arthropods comprise invertebrate animals with
segmented body, jointed appendages and bilateral
symmetry
• Arthropods are the most populated group of animal
kingdom
• Arthropods have several benefits to the mankind (useful
products, decomposition of organic matter, medicine...)
• Arthropods affect the human health in many ways
(annoyance, entomophobia, blood loss, vectors...)
 Summary
• Arthropods develop from egg to adult by
metamorphosis
• Transmission of disease by vectors could be by
mechanical or biological means
• Propogative, cyclopropogative, transovarian,
cyclodevelopmental changes are the types of
biological transmission
• Subkingdom arthropoda is classified in to five
classes: chilopoda, diplopoda, crustacea, arachnida
and insects
 Summary

• The number of legs, presence or absence of legs,

antennae and moving jaw or mouth parts are keys for
identification of insects
• Head, thorax and abdomen are the three body
divisions of insects
• The digestive system of insects consist of foregut,
mid gut and hind gut

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 References
1. Ibrahim A, Geme U, Melaku T, Jigssa G(2004 ) Lecture Note
on Vector Biology for Medical Laboratory Technologists.
Addis Ababa University,(Carter Center). Ethiopia
2. Higley, L.G.L.L. Karr, L.P. Pedigo.( 1989) . Manual of
Entomology and Pest Mangement. Macmillan, New
York.
3. Patric R. Murray, Ken S. Rosenthal, G.S. Kobrayashi,
M.A. Pfaller (1998). Medical Microbiology, Third edition.
[Link].