Tethered Preparation for the Analysis of Mosquito Visual-Motor Responses Using Modular Visual Displays

Abstract

In the present protocol, we describe methods to assess mosquito visual-motor responses using the Reiser–Dickinson light-emitting diode (LED) panels arranged in a cylindrical arena and fixed-tethered preparations where the insect cannot adjust its orientation relative to the visual display. Variations around this approach might be better adapted for the specific requirements of each research project and must be considered by the investigators. Other types of displays may provide other stimulation possibilities (e.g., color range, refresh rate, field of view). Also, other types of preparations, such as rotating (magneto-tethered) preparations where the insect can rotate around a vertical axis and reorient relative to the visual display, may reveal other aspects of mosquito optomotor responses. Finally, the methods described here are applicable to multiple species and were used to produce data published previously using 6-d-old Aedes aegypti females.