Scientists at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), led by Dr. Gloria Soria, have collaborated with Verily Life Sciences, Yale University, and international researchers to sequence and analyze the genomes of 1,206 Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from 73 locations worldwide. This research aims to understand the historical movements and molecular changes that contributed to the evolution of this invasive mosquito species.
Aedes aegypti is known for transmitting diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever viruses, affecting two-thirds of the global population. These mosquitoes are highly adapted to humans, breeding in artificial containers and feeding almost exclusively on people. This close association has facilitated their global spread over the past 50 years. Although typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, they are now often recorded in temperate areas where they can survive low winter temperatures.
The genomic analysis conducted by CAES scientists revealed that populations from Argentina are remnants of mosquitoes that traveled from Africa across the Atlantic over 320 years ago. The study also indicates that adaptation to new pathogens and changes in feeding habits have played a role in their expansion across continents.
Dr. Andrea Gloria-Soria said, “These findings advance our understanding of the evolution and geographic expansion of this harmful mosquito.” She noted that the study increased the number of complete genome sequences available for Aedes aegypti by 20-fold, providing a valuable resource for researchers.
Dr. Jason White, CAES Director, emphasized the significance of this research: “This deadly mosquito is expanding its range both in the United States and globally. The information generated by this groundbreaking study will help us better prepare and respond to this invasive threat.”
The study was published in Science on September 18, 2025 (Volume 389, Issue 6766). More details can be found in an overview on Science’s website: https://www.science.org/content/article/how-yellow-fever-mosquito-conquered-world or directly through the academic paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ads3732
Information from this article can be found here.
