Many vector-borne diseases systems involve multiple vector species and multiple vertebrate host species. These vector and vertebrate species all vary in their competence for disease-causing agents and the degree of contact between vectors and hosts is driven by many extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Collectively, these factors inform the role of which vector species maintain and amplify disease causing agents in sylvatic or urban transmission cycles. Additionally, the ability of a vertebrate to amplify the disease-causing agent, combined with the degree of contact with vectors, informs their role as an amplification host or reservoir. This presentation will highlight investigations into vector feeding patterns and preference in three diverse vector-borne disease systems caused by West Nile virus, Zika virus, and Trypanosoma cruzi. Results from these studies highlight how a combination of host preference and host availability informs contact heterogeneity that drives transmission of disease-causing agents.
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