P. A. Ross

Hormetic effect induced by Beauveria bassiana in Myzus persicae

This paper shows that low concentrations of the fungal biopesticide Beauveria bassiana enhance aphid longevity and fecundity, with effects persisting across generations, while high concentrations cause mortality.

Wolbachia infection negatively impacts Drosophila simulans heat tolerance in a strain- and trait-specific manner

This study examines how three Wolbachia strains affect heat tolerance and fertility in Drosophila simulans, finding strain- and trait-specific impacts on survival and fertility under heat stress.

CD22L Conjugation to Insulin Attenuates Insulin-Specific B cell Activation

This paper develops insulin-CD22L conjugates to inhibit anti-insulin B cells in T1D, finding that low-valency conjugates reduce B cell activation while high-valency ones promote it.

How often are male mosquitoes attracted to humans?

This study investigates how often male mosquitoes are attracted to humans through literature review, field trials, and lab experiments, finding attraction is limited to specific species and can be repelled by repellents.

Hidden endosymbionts: A male-killer concealed by another endosymbiont and a nuclear suppressor

The paper identifies a male-killing Wolbachia strain in Drosophila pseudotakahashii, hidden by a cytoplasmic incompatibility Wolbachia and a nuclear suppressor, revealing complexities in endosymbiont detection and host interactions.

Developing Wolbachia-based disease interventions for an extreme environment

This study evaluates Wolbachia strains in Saudi Arabian mosquitoes for dengue suppression in extreme environments, finding reduced heat tolerance and local adaptation effects.

Local adaptation of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to Wolbachia-induced fitness costs

This study examines how Wolbachia infection affects quiescent egg viability in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and finds greater fitness costs in field-derived populations.

Wolbachia inhibits ovarian formation and increases blood avidity in female Aedes aegypti

This study shows Wolbachia wAlbB in Aedes aegypti inhibits ovarian formation and increases blood feeding in infertile females, with implications for Wolbachia release strategies and host evolution.

A wMel Wolbachia variant in Aedes aegypti from field-collected Drosophila melanogaster with increased phenotypic stability under heat stress

This study transfers a wMel Wolbachia variant from Drosophila melanogaster to Aedes aegypti, showing improved heat tolerance and cytoplasmic incompatibility under stress.

A decade of stability for wMel Wolbachia in natural Aedes aegypti populations

This study shows that the wMel Wolbachia strain remains stable in Aedes aegypti populations over a decade, with no significant phenotypic or genomic changes affecting its disease-blocking capabilities.

A wAlbB Wolbachia transinfection displays stable phenotypic effects across divergent Aedes aegypti mosquito backgrounds

This study shows that a Wolbachia transinfection (wAlbBQ) remains stable in different Aedes aegypti backgrounds and exhibits consistent phenotypic effects.

Genetic stability of Aedes aegypti populations following invasion by wMel Wolbachia

This study examines genetic stability in Aedes aegypti populations after Wolbachia wMel introduction, finding genome-wide stability but some gene-level changes related to immune response and development.

Strong attraction of male mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) to humans

This study shows male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are strongly attracted to humans in semi-field conditions, challenging the assumption that host-seeking is female-specific.

Infertility and fecundity loss of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti hatched from quiescent eggs is expected to alter invasion dynamics

This study examines how storage conditions affect fertility and Wolbachia density in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, with implications for disease control strategies.

Persistent deleterious effects of an unstable deleterious Wolbachia infection

The paper shows that a deleterious Wolbachia infection in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes has maintained its harmful effects over time despite evolutionary pressures.

An elusive endosymbiont: Does Wolbachia occur naturally in Aedes aegypti?

The paper investigates whether Wolbachia naturally occurs in Aedes aegypti by reviewing evidence and conducting field and lab surveys, finding no confirmation of natural Wolbachia infections.

Does membrane feeding compromise the quality of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes?

This study tests if membrane feeding compromises the quality of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by selecting populations for feeding on membranes or human hosts over generations, finding some adaptation but no major impact on field performance.

Measuring the host-seeking ability of Aedes aegypti destined for field release

This study tests the host-seeking ability of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in a semi-field system, finding no negative impact of Wolbachia infection or lab rearing on their ability to locate human hosts.

Effects of alternative blood sources on Wolbachia infected Aedes aegypti females within and across generations

This study examines the effects of alternative blood sources on Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti females, finding reduced egg hatch rates and Wolbachia density when using sheep or pig blood.

Small females prefer small males: size assortative mating in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

The paper investigates size-based mating preferences in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, finding small females prefer small males, which could impact the success of mosquito release programs.

A comprehensive assessment of inbreeding and laboratory adaptation in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

This study assesses inbreeding and laboratory adaptation in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, finding fitness costs at low population sizes but limited adaptation at larger sizes.