Mosquito Ecology

Background: Mosquitoes lay eggs in a wide range of habitats with different physicochemical parameters. Ecological data, including physicochemical factors of oviposition sites, play an important role in integrated vector management. Those data help the managers to make the best decision in controlling the aquatic stages of vectors especially using source reduction. Methods: To study some physicochemical characteristics of larval habitat waters, an investigation was carried out in Qom Province, central Iran, during spring and summer 2008 and 2009. Water samples were collected during larval collection from ten localities. The chemical parameters of water samples were analyzed based on mg/l using standard methods. Water temperature (°C), turbidity (NTU), total dissolved solids (ppm), electrical conductivity (μS/cm), and acidity (pH) were measured using digital testers. Thermotolerant coliforms of water samples were analyzed based on MPN/100ml. Data were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis test a...

Mosquito vectors are extending their range via international travel and trade. Climate change makes New Zealand an increasingly suitable environment for less tropically adapted exotic mosquito vectors to become established. This shift will add a multiplier effect to existing risks of both the establishment of new species and of resident exotic species extending into new areas. We describe trends in the border interceptions of exotic mosquitoes and evaluate the role of imported goods as a pathway for these introductions. Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, the two most commonly intercepted species, were only intercepted in Auckland. Used tyres and machinery were the main mode of entry for both species. The majority of Ae. albopictus were transported as larvae by sea, while most Ae. aegypti were transported as adults by air. Continuing introductions of these mosquitoes, mainly arriving via Japan or Australia, increase the risk of the local transmission of mosquito-borne diseases in New Zealand in general and in the Auckland region in particular. These findings reinforce the need for a high performing and adequately resourced national biosecurity system, particularly port surveillance and inspection. Recommended biosecurity improvements are described.

Surveillance of the presence of larval mosquitoes was performed in the suburban municipality of Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac Province, Philippines, with approximately 94.0% of the land area still devoted to agriculture. Five districts were covered, namely: Macageuing, San Francisco, San Vicente, Sta. Ines Centro, and Sta. Ines East. The standard dipping method was used to collect mosquito larvae from rice fields, ponds, creeks, streams and used tires and larvae were identified at the genus level. Culex sp. was the most abundant with a calculated mean breeding index of 22 larvae per dip. Anopheles sp. and Aedes sp. were likewise identified with mean breeding indices of five and two larvae per dip, respectively. In two samplings, Culex sp. had the highest mean larval breeding index (MLBI) of 9 larvae/dip in Sta. Ines Centro (West); while Sta. Vicente registered higher MLBI of Anopheles sp. and Aedes sp. relative to sites in other districts. Considering the endemicity of malaria, lymphatic fil...

Most of the articles in this volume involve biosafety and biosecurity and strict biosafety and laboratory biosecurity protocols and whether current standards sufficiently assure the safety of both the public and the overall ecosystem. This chapter suggests that developments occurring in mosquito vector control using synthetic biology will introduce new genetic bugaboos into the debate over releasing genetically altered species, both accidentally and purposefully.

Mosquitoes are considered as the most fatal and lethal organisms in the world causing millions of deaths annually around the world. Deaths caused by malaria alone was reached to 4,38,000 deaths in 2015. A variety of diseases are caused by mosquitoes as vectors. The important ones are Dengue Fever, Malaria, Yellow Fever, West Nile Virus, Rift Valley Fever, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis and some others. In this review we comprise and acknowledge the role of WHO in relation to efforts against the alarming situations of mosquito borne diseases. The major roles of WHO to eradicate disease risks are (1) giving evidence-based direction for monitoring vectors. (2) provide technical support to countries. (3) support countries to advance their reporting systems. (4) provide training on clinical management, diagnosis and vector control. (5) support the growth and evaluation of new tools, technologies and tactics for vector borne diseases. Here, various tactics are discussed which could be helpful in the management methods against mosquito borne diseases in a very feasible, inexpensive and eco-friendly fashion. Therefore, it was evaluated that the mosquito eating fish (Gambusia affinis and Poecilia reticulata) Copepods (Macrocyclops albidus Jurine), larvae of Odonata species and aquatic insects, including backswimmers (Buenoa pallipes Fabricius) were the most-often detected predators and it was a very simplest method to limit the mosquito populations. Source reduction is a very crucial factor. Source reduction mainly concerns with prevention of development of mosquito's larvae by eliminating their breeding sites mostly including tactics such as drainage, filling, drains and drainage of irrigation courses. After recognizing primary breeding sites accountable for disease transmission, it is quick to start a selective larval control action, which has been called species sanitation. A great variety of plants species found in the World that exerts a great impact on repelling mosquitoes. Some DEET based compounds proved an average protection from mosquitoes ranges from 22.9-94.6 minutes with different active ingredients. Some plant essential oils such as thyme oil, catnip oil, amyris oil, eucalyptus oil, and cinnamon oil were checked contrary to three mosquito species: Aedes albopictus, Ae. aegypti, and Culex pipiens Pallens and give significant results and repellent efficacy. Hence, there is a need of compatibility and integration of all above discussed mechanisms to acquire good results in context to prevention and eradication of arboborne/mosquito borne diseases.

FAST-ID™ in Kenya
The Purpose
A field trial in Mbita, Kenya in January 2006 tested FAST-ID™ a prototype malaria early warning system. The aims of this field trial were to:
1. Build a library of recorded flight signatures for the principal mosquito species that vector malaria in western Kenya
2. Demonstrate the capability to automatically identify malaria vectors using their flight signature
3. Demonstrate the concept of sentinel huts
4. Demonstrate the capability to monitor vector behavior in the field

The Study
A typical village hut in Lwanda, Kenya was fitted with the FAST-ID™ sensor system. Each wall was fitted with a FAST-ID™ sensor and infrared light source to monitor mosquitoes, entering through the eave gaps, as they passed through a sensed area that ran the length of the wall. The FAST-ID™ unit, including an IR illuminator, was activated at sunset (about 1800 hours) and turned off at sunrise (about 0600 hours). Recordings in this hut were undertaken every night for almost three weeks. Individual mosquitoes were recorded flying through the eaves on several different nights.

The relative abundance of the aquatic stages of mosquito species in an urban environment was studied using four different microhabitats (polystyrene, tin, plastic bottle and bamboo). The urban environment was divided into Area of High Human Activity (AHHA) and area or Derived/ Secondary vegetation (ADSV). Our results revealed that Aedes albopictus was the dominant mosquito breeding species, its abundance and distribution of these species related to the size of vegetation cover and settlement condition. Aedes albopictus were mostly distributed in AHHA (56%) and abundant in ADSV (52%). Polystyrene cups (32.54%) were the most preferred microhabitat for mosquito breeding followed by tin (31.76%), plastic bottle (20.98%) and bamboo (14.17%). This study highlight crucial information on habitat preferences that can be further applied in several anti-larval measures that could help to reduce the proliferation of dengue vectors.

THESIS SUMMARY
Background: The Indian sub-continent has not only wealthy landscapes environment to support huge population, but also has big challenging problems of vector borne disease epidemics across the country. India has become host for all kinds of virus of malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and JE, and also endemic host for filariasis parasites. The burden of vector borne disease is increasing day by day; and therefore, the both intervention measures of both mosquito vector control and the treatment to prevent the disease transmission through the appropriate control strategy in most efficient way. The implementation of conventional method of vector control in the field has significant effect, however, the problem is not manageable and it has been increased steadily. Therefore, the present study is designed for choosing the remote sensing and GIS for mapping the geographical distribution of vector borne diseases, and to study the environmental aspects of the vector borne diseases for 6 decades in India, and a geo-spatial analysis to study the both vector ecology and disease epidemics, and hence, to arrive the probability of spatial prediction of vector borne disease transmission risk in India. 
Materials and Methods: The present study is designed for digital mapping of vector borne disease prevalence in the country for the past 58 years (1955 to 2012). The Remote sensing and GIS has been significantly developed for ecological modeling with special emphasis on vectors and vector borne disease epidemics. The Arc View 3.2, Arc View Spatial analysis and Arc View image analyst, GIS software used to create a systematic grid sampling method for conducting the reconnaissance survey and mapping mosquito breeding surface maps. GARMIN 12XL GPS was used to collect the mosquito reconnaissance survey for mosquito vectors in the city. A systematic grid sampling was applied to conduct a rapid survey for mapping Aedes species mosquitogenic condition in the urban areas and the site coordinates of houses information with breeding habitats positive in the grid sectors was collected using GPS. The Indian satellite data (IRS LISS-II, and LISS-III) was used to mapping the use/ land cover of metropolitan area, mapping of mosquitogenic condition, and linked with vector borne disease epidemic transmission.  The Indian remote sensing IRS LISS-I, data and IRS WiFS remote sensing data was analyzed, using the maximum likelihood classification for land use land cover classification, and mapping of potential breeding habits of Malaria and JE vectors in India. The mosquito potential breeding surface of malaria, dengue, chikungunya, JE and filariasis was calculated for the each ward and which was mapped with graduated colors.
Result and Discussion: The image classification of the spectral signature of the satellite data imported in to the GIS platform to create the buffer zones of the average adult mosquito flight range of 2.5 km radius around the breeding habitats for mapping the breeding habitats and describing the areas at risk of disease transmission. Land use / land cover dynamics, urban sprawl and irregular growth of urban development and industrial growths are fueled to the development of suitable environment fuelling for malaria, JE, and dengue epidemics and also providing conducing environment for malaria and filariasis endemic. The coefficient model of rainfall and temperature with the mosquito abundance are highly correlated with the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and it is useful in the estimation of mosquito larval abundance and used to predict adult abundance 7 days in advance and also estimating Anopheline malaria vector mosquito abundance in the mosquito habitats of rice fields using remote sensing spectral signatures. The results of logistic regression model provides the spatial agreement between the observed and predicted values of larval index within a buffer around the trap location of rice fields which suitable for vector breeding of malaria and JE. Discriminant analysis could able to correctly distinguish between villages with high and low vector abundance, with an overall accuracy of 90%. Regression results found both transitional swamp and unmanaged pasture proportions to be predictive of vector abundance during the wet season. The virtual GPS under the GIS umbrella was used to conduct a rapid survey with 0.5km distance interval (grid sampling procedures) for assessing the mosquitogenic condition and for mapping the sectors positives for dengue and chikungunya vector mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti or Ae. albopictus) breeding habitats (water storage vessels, plastic and cement containers, tires, plastic cups, coconut cells, tree holes, flower vessels, fridge, stone grinder, etc.,) with accurate site specifications, and the mean value of positive habitats was analyzed by quintiles method for mapping the field situation. The remote sensing data was used for landscape determinants of anopheline mosquito larval habitats. Since, the range of monsoon temperature and the relative humidity has the good agreement with the profusion of mosquito’s vector breeding with respect to space and time. The vegetation indices have the distinctiveness of high sensitivity to soil background, which alters the local environment to vector abundance (sand fly, the vector of Visceral Leishmaniasis / Kala-azar) and disease transmission. Climate and soil types have been progressively affect the vegetation growth and density, and then the conditions on the surrounding environment. Geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing were used to identify important geographical risk factors and stratify a region into different areas of transmission risk, thereby providing a guideline to mapping the areas under the risk of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in India. The present study shows that spatial agreement was existed between the environmental variables and the vector borne disease epidemic transmission, and thus, the remote sensing and GIS tool has been used to mapping disease transmission risk zones.
Conclusion: The integrated hybrid remote sensing and GIS techniques was  used to mapping the vector breeding potential areas vulnerable to risk of disease transmission and is provided the possible information on reliable estimates of and mapping of malaria, filariasis, JE, and dengue vector breeding habitats, and facilitate to estimate the people at risk of vector borne disease transmission. And perhaps, provides the disease epidemiological information along with geo-coordinates of site specific combined with multispectral satellite data of land use / land cover. It is concluded that remote sensing, GPS, and GIS are effectively useful to identify, delineate and mapping of vector mosquitoes potential breeding surface areas and studying the mosquitogenic conditions in the urban agglomeration, and used to control and management of the vector borne disease transmission, perhaps, may also be GIS based surveillance is the best solution for epidemic control and management of the present situation epidemic in the country.

Background: Ecological data are important in the vector control management of mosquitoes. There is scattered published
information about the larval habitat characteristics and ecology of the genus Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) in Iran and most of available data is in relation to malaria vectors in southern Iran.
Methods: This cross sectional investigation was carried out to study the mosquito fauna and ecology in Guilan Province, northern Iran, during April–December 2000. Larvae were collected using the standard dipping technique. Larval habitat characteristics were recorded according to water situation (clear or turbid), vegetation, substrate type, sunlight situation, habitat situation (transient or permanent, running or stagnant), habitat type (natural or artificial),
and water temperature.
Results: In total, 1547 third- and fourth-instar larvae of Anopheles from 90 habitats were collected and morphologically
identified. Five species; Anopheles claviger, An.’hyrcanus’, An. maculipennis s.l., An. plumbeus, and An. superpictus were identified and respectively comprised 6.3%, 22.4%, 54.4%, 13.0%, and 3.9% of the samples. The mean and range temperatures of the larval habitat water were 19.6oC (n=14) (16–25oC), 22.6oC (n=53) (12–33oC), 23.8oC (n=52) (10–33oC), 11.5oC (n=12) (9–21oC), and 20.4oC (n=7) (12–26oC), respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean water temperatures (11.5–23.5oC) of the larval habitats of different species (P=0.000). Most of the genus larvae were collected from natural habitats (86.9%) such as river bed pools (46.4%) and rain pools (33.1%) with transient (98.3%), stagnant (99.5%) and clear (95.3%) water, with vegetation (69.9%), mud (42.0%) or gravel (39.7%) substrate in full sunlight (69.6%) or shaded (22.7%) area. A checklist of the province mosquitoes
including 30 species and seven genera has been provided.
Conclusion: The main larval habitats of the most abundant species, An.’hyrcanus’ and An. maculipennis s.l., in Guilan Province are: river bed pools, rain pools, and rice fields.

A newspaper report covering Arnob Chakrovorty's bite on facts-based discussion supporting World Health Organisation's claim that the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 cannot be transmitted by the mosquitoes. Published in Sangbad Pratidin Newspaper (Bengali): issue date-1/Aug/2020, pp. 1&5.

Cite this article as: Chakrovorty, Arnob, and Goutam Brahma. “A Newspaper Report Discussing the Potential of the Mosquito to Transmit Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).” Sangbad Pratidin, 1 Aug. 2020, pp. 1–5.

https://epaper.sangbadpratidin.in/epaper/edition/2442/sangbad-pratidin-01-08-20

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are one of the most important disease vector species in the world. Many species have a high degree of anthropophilia and are often found in human habitations. In the present study, we
have inventoried the nocturnal mosquito assemblage in intra-, peri-, and extradomicile environments in four
municipalities in Pará, Brazil. At each municipality, a residence was selected and the mosquitoes were sampled
using the protected human attraction capture and Shannon trap methods in April (rainy season) and August
2018 (dry season). We have collected a total of 696 mosquito specimens belonging to 8 genera and 17 species. The most abundant species were Mansonia (Mansonoides) titillans (Walker) (366/696, 52.6%), Anopheles
(Nyssorhynchus) albitarsis Lynch-Arribálzaga (97/696, 13.9%), and Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus Say (93/696,
13.4%). Mosquito richness, abundance, and composition did not differ between intra-, peri-, and extradomicile
environments suggesting limited habitat segregation among the different species. However, mosquito species
richness and mosquito species abundance were significantly higher during the rainy season than during the
dry season, suggesting increased mosquito activity during the rainy season. We detected several important
vector species of human diseases including Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus), Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus)
darlingi Root, Haemagogus (Conopostegus) leucocelaenus (Dyar and Shannon), Coquillettidia (Coquillettidia)
venezuelensis (Theobald), and Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus which are the main transmitters of dengue,
malaria, yellow fever, mayaro, and oropouche fever, respectively. As inventories of disease-carrying mosquitoes in the region are very scarce, mainly in residential environments, our results suggest high potential for
mosquito-borne disease transmission in Pará State.

Introduction: Transmission of malaria, different filariasis, arboviruses and biting nuisance place mosquitoes as
the most important arthropods in medicine and health not only in Guilan province and Iran but also in the world.
Objective: To study mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) fauna in Guilan province (Caspian sea littoral areas, North of
Iran), an investigation was carried out during April to December 2000.
Materials and Methods: Mosquito larvae were collected from different larval breeding places by means of ladle
or dropper. Adult mosquitoes were collected from different habitats by means of aspirator or captorator or reared
from pupae.
Results: The whole set of 2478 adult spceimens from 64 habitats and 6656 larvae from 127 larval breeding
places was collected. During this study, Coquillettidia (Coquillettidia) richiardii (Ficalbi, 1889) and Uranotaenia
(Pseudoficalbia) unguiculata Edwards, 1913 were collected and identified.In this investigation,the second
species was recorded for the first time in Guilan province(Loshan,Roodbar district) as larva.New data were
provided about the distribution of Cq.richiardii in Guilan province and the second species was collected from
Rezvanshahr and Lahijan districts for the first time and Some-e-Sara as female adults ( in forest parts).
Conclusion: The distribution, biology and ecology of the two species need more studies in Guilan province and
Iran. The possible transmission of some arboviruses by Cq.richiardii can be taken into consideration.

Mosquito-borne viruses are well recognized as a global public health burden amongst humans, but the effects on non-human vertebrates is rarely reported. Australia, houses a number of endemic mosquito-borne viruses, such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, and Murray Valley encephalitis virus. In this review, we synthesize the current state of mosquito-borne viruses impacting non-human vertebrates in Australia, including diseases that could be introduced due to local mosquito distribution. Given the unique island biogeography of Australia and the endemism of vertebrate species (including macropods and monotremes), Australia is highly susceptible to foreign mosquito species becoming established, and mosquito-borne viruses becoming endemic alongside novel reservoirs. For each virus, we summarize the known geographic distribution, mosquito vectors, vertebrate hosts, clinical signs and treatments, and highlight the importance of including non-human vertebrates in the assessment of ...

Mosquitoes are commonly identified to species level using morphological traits, but complementary methods for identification are often necessary when specimens are collected as immature stages, stored inadequately, or when delineation of species complexes is problematic. DNA-barcoding using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene is one such tool used for the morphological identification of species. A comprehensive entomological survey of mosquito species in Mexico State identified by COI DNA barcoding and morphology is documented in this paper. Specimens were collected from all the physiographic provinces in Mexico State between 2017 and 2019. Overall, 2,218 specimens were collected from 157 localities representing both subfamilies Anophelinae and Culicinae. A species checklist that consists of 6 tribes, 10 genera, 20 sub-genera, and 51 species, 35 of which are new records for Mexico State, is provided. Three hundred and forty-two COI sequences of 46 species were analysed. Mean intraspecific and interspecific distances ranged between 0% to 3.9% and from 1.2% to 25.3%, respectively. All species groups were supported by high bootstraps values in a Neighbour-Joining analysis, and new COI sequences were generated for eight species: Aedes chionotum Zavortink, Ae. vargasi Schick, Ae. gabriel Schick, Ae. guerrero Berlin, Ae. ramirezi Vargas and Downs, Haemagogus meso-dentatus Komp and Kumm, Culex restrictor Dyar and Knab, and Uranotaenia geometrica Theobald. This study provides a detailed inventory of the Culicidae from Mexico State and discusses the utility of DNA barcoding as a complementary tool for accurate mosquito species identification in Mexico.

Mosquito vectors are extending their range via international travel and trade. Climate change makes New Zealand an increasingly suitable environment for less tropically adapted exotic mosquito vectors to become established. This shift will add a multiplier effect to existing risks of both the establishment of new species and of resident exotic species extending into new areas. We describe trends in the border interceptions of exotic mosquitoes and evaluate the role of imported goods as a pathway for these introductions. Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, the two most commonly intercepted species, were only intercepted in Auckland. Used tyres and machinery were the main mode of entry for both species. The majority of Ae. albopictus were transported as larvae by sea, while most Ae. aegypti were transported as adults by air. Continuing introductions of these mosquitoes, mainly arriving via Japan or Australia, increase the risk of the local transmission of mosquito-borne diseases in New Ze...

Ecological data are important in the vector control management of mosquitoes. There is scattered published information about the larval habitat characteristics and ecology of the genus Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) in Iran and most of available data is in relation to malaria vectors in southern Iran. This cross sectional investigation was carried out to study the mosquito fauna and ecology in Guilan Province, northern Iran, during April-December 2000. Larvae were collected using the standard dipping technique. Larval habitat characteristics were recorded according to water situation (clear or turbid), vegetation, substrate type, sunlight situation, habitat situation (transient or permanent, running or stagnant), habitat type (natural or artificial), and water temperature. In total, 1547 third- and fourth-instar larvae of Anopheles from 90 habitats were collected and morphologically identified. Five species; Anopheles claviger, An.'hyrcanus', An. maculipennis s.l., An. plumbeus, and An. superpictus were identified and respectively comprised 6.3%, 22.4%, 54.4%, 13.0%, and 3.9% of the samples. The mean and range temperatures of the larval habitat water were 19.6°C (n=14) (16-25°C), 22.6°C (n=53) (12-33°C), 23.8°C (n=52) (10-33°C), 11.5°C (n=12) (9-21°C), and 20.4°C (n=7) (12-26°C), respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean water temperatures (11.5-23.5°C) of the larval habitats of different species (P=0.000). Most of the genus larvae were collected from natural habitats (86.9%) such as river bed pools (46.4%) and rain pools (33.1%) with transient (98.3%), stagnant (99.5%) and clear (95.3%) water, with vegetation (69.9%), mud (42.0%) or gravel (39.7%) substrate in full sunlight (69.6%) or shaded (22.7%) area. A checklist of the province mosquitoes including 30 species and seven genera has been provided. The main larval habitats of the most abundant species, An.'hyrcanus' and An. maculipennis s.l., in Guilan Province are: river bed pools, rain pools, and rice fields.

Résumé:
De nombreuses espèces de moustiques sont susceptibles de jouer un rôle dans la transmission de divers agents pathogènes responsables des maladies infectieuses humaines et animales. D'autres, outre leur rôle vecteur, sont un véritable fléau par les piqûres douloureuses qu’ils occasionnent, et constituent de ce fait un grand problème de nuisance. L'identification précise et la connaissance de la biodiversité fonctionnelle des vecteurs est un pas essentiel pour la compréhension du risque de (ré)-émergence et la dynamiques des maladies vectorielles. Le présent travail est une étude rétrospective des inventaires des Culicidae réalisés sur le terrain dans la région du M’Zab (Ghardaïa, Algérie) durant les années 2008 à 2011. Un aperçu sur le rôle vectoriel des espèces signalées dans la région et leur importance au niveau de la santé médicale et vétérinaire sont présentés à partir des données bibliographiques. Les espèces potentiellement vectrices d’arbovirus (Virus de Nile occidentale et Virus de la Vallée du Rift) et de protozoaires (Plasmodium spp) qui peuvent causer des problèmes épidémiologique au niveau de la région du M’Zab sont Cx. pipiens sl L., 1758, Cx. theileri Theobald, 1903, Ochlerotatus caspius Pallas, 1771, Anopheles sergentii Theobald, 1907, An. dthali Patton, 1905 et An. multicolor Cambouliu, 1902.

Mots-clés :
Moustique, Culicidae, Biodiversité, M’Zab, Algérie, Paludisme, Transmission.

Mosquitoes are found around our surroundings as they cause public disturbances whether harmful or beneficial. Mosquitoes are insect vectors which transmit many dreadful diseases causing serious health problems to human being. In this study, two sampling sites were selected, mud and concrete houses. Indoor mosquitoes were collected with the use of knock-down pyrethrum insecticide and morphological identification was done in the Insectary laboratory with the aid of a dissecting microscope, using standard procedures. A total of 748 adult mosquitoes were caught, out of which a higher number of 400 (53.48%) mosquitoes were caught in mud houses while 348 (46.52%) were caught in concrete houses. Higher numbers of Culex sp were recorded in both mud houses and concrete houses. 345(51.96%) of the 400 mosquitoes from the mud houses were Culex sp while 55(65.48%) were Anopheles sp. Out of the 348 mosquitoes caught in the concrete houses, 319(48.04%) were Culex sp while 29(34.52%) were Anopheles. A highest number, 278(37.17%), of mosquitoes were caught in the month of July while the least number, 234(31.28%), was recorded in the month of June. Statistically, there was a significant difference between the relative abundance and distribution of mosquitoes based on months (P<0.05). The result of this study indicates the level of pollution in the area since Cullicines breed significantly in dirty stagnant water and due to the lack of proper drainage and sewage system in the study area. This can pose a serious health threat to the inhabitant. Health education will go a long way in sensitizing the inhabitants of the study area to avoid dumping of refuse indiscriminately.

Unlike the application of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) for the control of larval mosquitoes, studies of its effects on adults, for its possible use in attractive toxic sugar baits, have resulted in conflicting results. Five species have shown a decrease in adult survival due to Bti ingestion, whereas adults of Anopheles arabiensis have not. We sought to determine if ingestion of Bti by adults of Anopheles gambiae, a sibling species of An. arabiensis, increases their mortality. Laboratory-reared adults were provided continuously from emergence with water only, a sucrose solution, or a Bti suspension in sucrose solution. After 3 days, the Bti suspension was replaced with untainted sucrose solution. The mosquitoes with only water were all dead by day 3. The survivorships of those in the sucrose and sucrose-Bti treatments were insignificantly different, both with an LT 50 (Lethal Time, time until 50% of individuals died) of 25 days. The results support the conclusion that adult survivorship of An. gambiae–complex members is unaffected by the ingestion of Bti in sugar meals.

Surveillance of the presence of larval mosquitoes was performed in the suburban municipality of Sta. Ignacia,Tarlac Province, Philippines, with approximately 94.0% of the land area still devoted to agriculture. Fivedistricts were covered, namely: Macageuing, San Francisco, San Vicente, Sta. Ines Centro, and Sta. Ines East. The standard dipping method was used to collect mosquito larvae from rice fields, ponds, creeks, streamsand used tires and larvae were identified at the genus level. Culex sp. was the most abundant with acalculated mean breeding index of 22 larvae per dip. Anopheles sp. and Aedes sp. were likewise identifiedwith mean breeding indices of five and two larvae per dip, respectively. In two samplings, Culex sp. had thehighest mean larval breeding index (MLBI) of 9 larvae/dip in Sta. Ines Centro (West); while Sta. Vicenteregistered higher MLBI of Anopheles sp. and Aedes sp. relative to sites in other districts. Considering theendemicity of malaria, lymphatic filariasis and dengue in the country, present findings are valuable in theformulation of control measures specifically targeting presently identified breeding sites that revealedconsiderable mosquito population. To arrive at a comprehensive picture, we highly recommend a validationof current data in similar sampling sites in the other districts of Sta. Ignacia, concurrent with a species-specific surveillance of culicidae mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are commonly identified to species level using morphological traits, but complementary methods for identification are often necessary when specimens are collected as immature stages, stored inadequately, or when delineation of species complexes is problematic. DNA-barcoding using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene is one such tool used for the morphological identification of species. A comprehensive entomological survey of mosquito species in Mexico State identified by COI DNA barcoding and morphology is documented in this paper. Specimens were collected from all the physiographic provinces in Mexico State between 2017 and 2019. Overall, 2,218 specimens were collected from 157 localities representing both subfamilies Anophelinae and Culicinae. A species checklist that consists of 6 tribes, 10 genera, 20 sub-genera, and 51 species, 35 of which are new records for Mexico State, is provided. Three hundred and forty-two COI sequences of 46 species wer...

This study determined the effects of pH levels, temperature and photoperiod on the viability and metamorphosis rate of mosquito Aedes sp. larvae. This study highlighted the use of carbonic acid (H2CO3) in an experimental setup for the acidic medium will simulate the events occurring in our freshwater ecosystem when climate change continuously progress. Sodium hydroxide solution was used for the alkaline medium and distilled water for the neutral medium. There were two closed setups for the photoperiod and temperature: a ten-hour photoperiod setup and a twelve-hour photoperiod setup. Temperatures were subject to the influence of the photoperiods. The temperatures were recorded before switching the lights of the two setups on and after switching them off. Each pH treatment had five replicates per setup with five newly-hatched eggs (1st instar larvae). The glass containers that contained the larvae were organized, following the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) technique. The larvae that developed into pupa in the experiment were photo-documented. In describing the morphology of the pupa, the most distinctive feature given focus was its head. Morphometric measurements were recorded to determine whether changes in the morphology of the larvae occurred. The average temperature of Setup A was higher (33 o C) and the photoperiod longer (12 hrs). The average temperature of Setup B was lower (30.4 o C) and the photoperiod shorter (10 hrs). The results showed that the viability of both setups was decreasing. The daily viability of each setup , expressed in percentage, was significantly different (T =-3.445; p value = 0.001). High mortality occurred in high temperature (Setup A), while low mortality occurred in low temperature (Setup B). The viability of the larvae when subjected to pH 4 was very low in both setups. Most of the larvae subjected in pH 4 were unable to metamorphose into second instar in both setups. The larvae in Setups A and B metamorphosed from the 1 st instar to the pupa stage on the 8 th day and 11 th day, respectively. The larvae that were exposed to longer photoperiod at an average

O crepúsculo é um dos fatores que influenciam na atividade hematofágica de muitos culicídeos, encerrando ou iniciando suas atividades durante esse período. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar a culicideofauna do crepúsculo em área remanescente de Floresta Atlântica no oeste de Santa Catarina, sul do Brasil, a influência dos fatores abióticos, a abundância e riqueza específica e a presença de culicídeos com capacidade vetorial. Materiais e Métodos. A área avaliada foi um fragmento florestal (27°10'22"S, 51°30'23"W), com 2.856.809,33 m², inserida no bioma Mata Atlântica, em área de transição entre Floresta Ombrófila Mista e Floresta Estacional Decidual, a cerca de 10 km do perímetro urbano. O crepúsculo foi dividido em três períodos de 30 minutos cada: pré-crepúsculo, endo-crepúsculo e pós-crepúsculo. As capturas foram realizadas mensalmente, entre novembro de 2013 e outubro de 2014, com auxílio de armadilha luminosa de Shannon e capturador de Castro. A identificação foi realizada com lupa estereoscópica, utilizando literatura especializada, e Ochlerotatus foi considerado gênero válido. Fatores abióticos, como temperatura e umidade, foram aferidos no momento da coleta, e seus registros mensais através da consulta da base de dados da estação automática do Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia. O teste de Correlação de Pearson foi utilizado para correlacionar os fatores abióticos obtidas no momento da coleta, do sétimo e 15º dia precedente das coletas, com as três espécies mais abundantes. A similaridade específica entre os períodos foi realizada por meio de análise de agrupamento do índice de similaridade de Bray-Curtis, utilizando o software Past versão 2.16. Resultados Foram coletados 984 espécimes distribuídos em 13 gêneros e 23 espécies. Tr. pallidiventer (59,76%), Oc. crinifer (8,13%), Oc. scapularis (5,89%) foram os mais abundantes. A primavera apresentou maior abundância e riqueza de espécies. O período pré-crepuscular teve a maior abundância enquanto o pós-crepúsculo a menor. O pré-crepúsculo e o endo-crepúsculo, apresentaram maior similaridade de espécies. Os fatores abióticos mensurados sete e 15 dias antes das coletas não apresentaram correlação significativa para as espécies mais abundantes. Contudo, a temperatura mensurada no momento das coletas, apresentou correlação positiva sobre as três espécies mais abundantes. Conclusão Algumas das espécies mais abundantes são indicadoras de alterações ambientais por ação antrópica. Das 23 espécies coletadas, dez, possuem capacidade vetorial: An. argyritarsis e An. strodei, são vetores secundários de malária. Hg. leucocelaenus de febre amarela silvestre. Oc. serratus s.l é vetor secundário de febre amarela silvestre. Oc. scapularis, Co. venezuelensis, Ps. ferox, Ma. pseudotitillans e Ma. titillans de encefalites. Oc. fluviatilis pode transmitir o agente etiológico da malária em galinhas.

Abstract. We conducted mosquito surveillance at outdoor breeding habitat in 459 households at 7 urban locations in Putrajaya, Malaysia from January to December 2010 to determine the predominant species and breeding locations. The most common species found at all locations was Aedes albopictus. Gardening utensils were the most common breeding sites. Of the 1,885 mosquito larvae specimens found, 1,774 (94.1%) were Ae. albopictus larvae, 84 (4%) were Ae. aegypti larvae and 27 (1%) were Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. The Aedes index for each of the locations was higher than the goal set by the Ministry of Health for Malaysia. However, the container index at each of the locations was within the goal. The Breateau index was above the goal set by the Ministry of Health at Precinct 9B1 but the other locations were within the goal.

Introduction: Many mosquitoes are of great medical and veterinary importance because they transmit numerous pathogens which cause diseases in animals and humans; thus, knowing their taxonomy and distribution is pivotal for implementing the correct control strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of mosquito species and their distribution in La Comarca Lagunera in the state of Durango, Mexico. Method: Adult mosquitoes were collected at different resting sites in four municipalities between August and November 2018 using Insectzookas. Aquatic habitats were also sampled for immature stages. Adult specimens were killed using lethal chambers with triethylamine vapors; while larvae and pupae were stored in individual tubes to obtain the adult stages and associated exuviae. All material was transported to the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Parasitology Department of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Unidad Laguna (UAAAN-UL) for mounting and taxon...

Collections of mosquitoes were conducted as part of the entomological vector surveillance in Quintana Roo State, Mexico, during September 2015. Species collected included Anopheles gabaldoni, An. darlingi, Psorophora columbiae, Culex inflictus, Cx. trifidus, Cx. lactator, and Wyeomyia guatemala s.l. All the specimens were identified by morphological and molecular characters (DNA-barcoding). This is the 1st time these species are reported in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. This research updates and increases the list of species of mosquitoes in Quintana Roo from 79 to 86.

Culicidae mosquitoes are potential vectors of pathogens that affect human health. The correct species identification, as well as the discovery and description of cryptic species, is important in public health for the control and management of specific vectors. In the present study, the diversity of anthropophagous mosquitoes in Quintana Roo, at the border between Mexico and Belize, was evaluated using morphological
and molecular data (COI‐DNA Barcoding). A total of 1,413 adult female specimens were collected, belonging to eight genera and 31 morphospecies. Most species formed well‐supported clades. Intraspecific Kimura 2 parameters (K2P) distance average was 0.75%, and a maximum distance of 4.40% was observed for Anopheles
crucians s.l. ABGD method identified 28 entities, while 32 entities were identified with the BIN system. In Culex interrogator and Culex nigripalpus a low interspecific genetic distance of 0.1% was observed. One undescribed species belonging to the genus Aedes (Aedes n. sp.) was discovered, but no clear genetic divergence was found between this species and the closely related species Aedes angustivittatus. An intraspecific K2P distance greater than 2.7% was observed in Aedes serratus (3.9%), Anopheles crucians s.l. (4.4%), Culex taeniopus (3.7%), Haemagogus equinus (3.9%), Culex erraticus (5.0%), Psorophora ferox (4.5%), and in Anopheles apicimacula (8.10%); therefore, evidences of cryptic diversity are shown in these species. This study showed that DNA barcodes offer a reliable framework for mosquito species identification in Quintana Roo, except for some closely related species for which it is recommended to use additional nuclear genetic markers such as ITS2, in order to resolve these small discrepancies.

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Crepuscular period is one of the factors that may influence the biting activity of mosquitoes. Many of these insects have a peak activity in this period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the afternoon crepuscular activity of Culicidae in a remaining area of Atlantic Forest in western Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Moreover, the possible influence of abiotic factors, the abundance and species richness were verified. In order to better analyze the influence of crepuscular period in specific composition and abundance of mosquitoes, the dusk was divided into three periods: pre-sunset, sunset and post-sunset. At the end of the study, nine hundred and eight four specimens distributed in 12 genera and 23 species were collected. Trichoprosopon pallidiventer (Lutz, 1905) (59.76%), Aedes crinifer (Theobald, 1903) (8.13%), Ae. scapularis (Rondani, 1848) (5.89%) were the most abundant species. Spring time presented the greatest abundance and species richness. During the study, among the three periods evaluated, pre-sunset had the greatest abundance and post-sunset the lowest. Pre-sunset and sunset had the greatest similarity between species. Regarding to the abiotic factors evaluated seven and 15 days before sampling, they did not present significant correlation for the three most abundant species. However, temperature had a positive correlation to these species. Moreover, the correlation between collected species and its possible role as vectors of etiological agents of diseases was discussed. Mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) do período crepuscular em área de Floresta Atlântica no sul do Brasil.

Resumo
O período crepuscular é um dos fatores que pode influenciar na atividade hematofágica dos mosquitos. Muitos desses insetos iniciam ou terminam suas atividades nesse período. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os Culicidae que ocorrem no crepúsculo vespertino em uma área de Floresta Atlântica no oeste de Santa Catarina, sul do Brasil. Além disso, foi analisada a possível influência de fatores abióticos, bem como abundância e riqueza de espécies. Para melhor avaliar a influência do período crepuscular na composição das espécies e na abundância destas, o crepúsculo foi dividido em três períodos: pré-crepúsculo, crepúsculo e pós-crepúsculo. Ao final do estudo foram coletados 984 exemplares distribuídos em 12 gêneros e 23 espécies. Trichoprosopon pallidiventer (Lutz, 1905) (59,76%), Aedes crinifer (Theobald, 1903) (8,13%) e Ae. scapularis (Rondani, 1848) (5,89%) foram as espécies mais abundantes. A maior abundância e riqueza de espécies se deram na primavera. Dentre os três períodos estudados, o pré-crepúsculo apresentou a maior abundância de mosquitos, em contrapartida, o pós-crepúsculo apresentou a menor abundância. Os períodos pré-crepuscular e crepuscular apresentaram maior similaridade entre si com relação à composição das espécies. Relacionando os fatores abióticos

Informations about Anopheles spp. in Palu city Central Sulawesi Province were less reported. The aim of this study was to obtain the diversity and morphological characters of Anopheles spp. This study was conducted during march until June 2015 at five places in Palu city. There were two methods used in this study, survey method was used to detrmine the trapping location and descriptive method in order to identifie the morphological characters of Anopheles spp. Sample collections were done each time throughout the night between 9 p.m until 5 a.m. The trapping period was 45 minutes of each and it was done in every hour. Additional environment parameters including the temperature and air humidity were also observed. Identification process of samples was held at Biology Laboratory Natural Science Faculty Tadulako University and it was done based on O'connor and Soepanto (1999)'s determination key. Data were analyzed based on Paleontological Statistic ver. 2.17c. As the result, four species were succesfully identified i.e. A.barbirostris, A. indefinitus, A.ludlowae and A.maculatus which were covered by 2 subgenus with 59 individuals. The highest diversity index was obtained at 11 p.m during trapping time, as Hʹ value of 0,69 and the highest Evenness index was obtained at 10 p.m, 11 p.m, and 5 a.m during trapping time with E value of 1,0.

Introduction: With regard to probable malaria epidemy and mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) biting nuisance during their seasonal activity in Guilan province (North of Iran, Caspian littoral), and to study mosquito fauna and ecology, an investigation was carried out during April to December 2000 in the province.
Methods: In 41 occasions, 1506 adult mosquitoes, resting or blood sucking, were collected from 64 habitats including: inner places like house, stable, hen shelter and wash closet and natural outer places including vegetation, tree hole, rock hole and artificial outer places like open well and discarded tire by
means of aspirator and captorator. Wall surface material of resting-places were recorded for each inner places including wood, plaster, mud and cement. Also, a few occasions of collecting were carried out by means of CDC light trap.
Results: In this study, 14 species, as adult, were totally collected as follow: An. claviger, An. hyrcanus, An.maculipennis s.l., An. pseudopictus, Ae. vexans, Cq. richiardii, Cx. hortensis, Cx. mimeticus, Cx. pipiens, Cx. theileri, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cs. annulata, Oc. caspius s.l. and Oc. geniculatus.
As a whole, 66.4% specimens were collected from inner places and 33.6% ones from outer places and 92.9% and 7.1% for the genus Anophele and 43.93% and 56.07% for the subfamily culicinae from inner places and outer places, respectively. Cx. hortensis, Cs.annulata and Oc. caspius s.l. were only collected from inner places, the two first species from stable and the third one from human house, with very little frequency.
Also, An. claviger, Cq. richiardii and Oc. geniculatus were only collected from outer places with very little frequency.
Conclusion: According to this study, stables are the most important inner places of malaria vectors for resting and blood sucking from their primary hosts, cows, in Guilan province. It is noteworthy during residual spraying.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) on the lipogram and selected organ functions in hyperlipidemic rats. Animals were subjected to different treatments for 60 days. Balanced basal diet was supplied to control rats; saturated high fat- and/or MOS-contained diets were supplied to tested rats. Sera were collected on escalating times and total lipids, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, AST, ALT, urea and creatinine were evaluated. On the last day, rats were sacrificed and the kidneys, liver, heart with aorta were picked out for histopathology. The results of MOS-treated group revealed significant decrease in total lipids, cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C, AST, ALT, urea and creatinine with significant increase in HDL-C. Histopathological findings in the tested organs have been ameliorated with MOS, comparing with those in hyperlipidemic rats. The obtained data may give MOS the potential of antihyperlipidemic activity for prophylaxis and treatment of hyperlipidemia and related diseases.