The ability of a potential vector to actually vector a disease. Many arthropods are capable of vectoring disease in an ideal (e.g., laboratory) environment, but fail to be effective vectors in the field. Some factors influencing vector competence include age of the vector and host, synchrony of vector and host, availability of alternate hosts, behavior/host preference of the vector, ability of the disease organism to maintain or increase titer in the vector, environmental conditions, prior exposure and host resistance.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this entry
Cite this entry
(2008). Vector Competence. In: Capinera, J.L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Entomology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_3945
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_3945
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-6242-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-6359-6
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences