Insect Vector Physiology and Competence: Interactions and Adaptations
A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 6
Special Issue Editors
Interests: insect physiology; immunology; circulatory physiology; insect-pathogen interactions
Interests: insect-microbiome ecology and evolution; vector physiology; vector adaptations; symbiosis; insect-pathogenic microbes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue highlights current advances in understanding the physiological, immunological, and ecological interactions that govern vector competence and adaptation, with a focus on arthropod disease vectors such as mosquitoes. As the global burden of vector-borne diseases persists and the effectiveness of traditional control strategies declines due to rising insecticide and drug resistance, there is an urgent need to uncover novel insights into the internal biology of vectors and their interactions with pathogens and symbionts.
We welcome contributions that explore how physiological and immunological traits shape a vector's ability to acquire, maintain, and transmit pathogens. Topics of interest include—but are not limited to—innate immune responses, hemolymph circulation, reproduction, hormones, sensory systems, metabolic regulation, and how these systems are influenced by age, environmental stressors, microbial interactions, and infection history. Studies that span molecular, cellular, and whole-organism levels are especially encouraged, as are those connecting these mechanisms to life history traits and evolutionary adaptation.
By integrating perspectives from insect vector biology, immunology, microbiology, and ecology, this Special Issue aims to broaden our understanding of vector competence and physiology and promote innovative approaches for vector control and disease prevention.
Prof. Dr. Julián F. Hillyer
Dr. Yin Wang
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- insect vector physiology
- vector competence
- symbiosis
- vector immunology
- host–pathogen interactions
- microbial interactions
- vector adaptation
- pesticide resistance
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