Figure 1. Schematic of the re-exposure experiment.
Following an initial exposure to Plasmodium falciparum-positive blood, excreta/feces (E/F) was collected from mosquito pools for 72 hours. Following this time period, E/F samples were collected for qPCR analysis and mosquitoes were transferred to new superhydrophobic cones, where they were held for an additional 72 hours. At the conclusion of this period, E/F samples were again collected for qPCR analysis and mosquitoes were provided with a second bloodmeal, this time naïve of parasite. Mosquitoes were then transferred to a third superhydrophobic cone, where excretion continued for an additional 72 hours. Following this final incubation period, E/F was again collected for qPCR analysis.