The host-seeking behavior of disease vector insects is central to the transmission of pathogens. In this context, an improved understanding of the mechanisms that allow vectors to detect, identify and locate a potential host will be crucial to refine existing control strategies and invent new ones. Host-seeking is mediated by the integration of cues that are processed by multiple sensory modalities, and provide robust information about host location and quality. Responses to these cues are plastic and vary as a function of the vector’s internal state, age, and previous experience. Vectors also integrate other factors such as time of day, or even the level of defensiveness of the host. Here, we review the most recent advances on the molecular basis of host-seeking behavior, with a particular emphasis on disease vector mosquitoes.

病媒昆虫的宿主寻求行为对于病原体的传播至关重要。在这种情况下，对允许媒介物检测，识别和定位潜在宿主的机制的更好理解对于完善现有控制策略和发明新的控制策略至关重要。通过多种感官模式处理的线索的集成来介导寻找宿主，并提供有关宿主位置和质量的可靠信息。对这些线索的反应是可塑性的，并且会随着媒介的内部状态，年龄和以前的经历而变化。媒介还整合了其他因素，例如一天中的时间，甚至宿主的防御水平。在这里，我们综述了宿主寻求行为的分子基础上的最新进展，特别着重于疾病媒介蚊子。