Effects of Larval Nutrition on Wolbachia-Based Dengue Virus Interference in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
In order to assess the broad-scale applicability of field releases of Wolbachia for the biological control of insect-transmitted diseases, we determined the relationship between the larval diet of Aedes aegypti L. mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia strains and their susceptibility to dengue virus (DENV) infection via intrathoracic injection and oral inoculation. Larvae were reared on diets that varied in the quantity of food which had the effect of modifying development time and adult body size. Wolbachia wMel infection was associated with highly significant reductions in dengue serotype 2 (DENV-2) infection rates of betwe...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Kho, E. A., Hugo, L. E., Lu, G., Smith, D. D., Kay, B. H. Tags: Vector/Pathogen/Host Interaction, Transmission Source Type: research
Influence of Bloodmeal Host on Blood Feeding, Egg Production, and Offspring Sex Ratio of Ctenocephalides felis felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)
In conclusion, the C. felis with rats as host consumed more blood, produced more eggs, and had higher sex ratios of the offspring than those with mice as the host. (Source: Journal of Medical Entomology)
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Yiguan, W., Jie, T., Qiyong, L., Cannan, S., Wenlong, K., Henglu, D., Cheng, X., Wenzhu, Z., Fajun, C., Fengxia, M. Tags: Vector/Pathogen/Host Interaction, Transmission Source Type: research
Geographical Variation of Deltamethrin Susceptibility of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Argentina With Emphasis on a Resistant Focus in the Gran Chaco
Chagas disease is one of the most important parasitic infections in Latin America. The main vector of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi in America is Triatoma infestans, a blood-sucking triatomine bug who is widely distributed in the Gran Chaco ecoregion. Control programs in endemic countries are focused in the elimination of triatomine vectors with pyrethroid insecticides. However, chemical control has failed in the Gran Chaco over the last two decades because of several factors. Previous studies have reported the evolution of different levels of resistance to deltamethrin in Tri. infestans. Recently, very high resistance h...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Fronza, G., Toloza, A. C., Picollo, M. I., Spillmann, C., Mougabure-Cueto, G. A. Tags: Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents Source Type: research
Evaluation of Alternative Killing Agents for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Gravid Aedes Trap (GAT)
The Gravid Aedes Trap (GAT) uses visual and olfactory cues to attract gravid Aedes aegypti (L.) that are then captured when knocked down by a residual pyrethroid surface spray. However, the use of surface sprays can be compromised by poor availability of the spray and pesticide resistance in the target mosquito. We investigated several "alternative" insecticide and insecticide-free killing agents for use in the GAT. This included long-lasting insecticide-impregnated nets (LLINs), vapor-active synthetic pyrethroids (metofluthrin), canola oil, and two types of dry adhesive sticky card. During bench top assays LLINs, metoflut...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Heringer, L., Johnson, B. J., Fikrig, K., Oliveira, B. A., Silva, R. D., Townsend, M., Barrera, R., Eiras, A. E., Ritchie, S. A. Tags: Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents Source Type: research
Insights Into Resting Behavior of Malaria Vector Mosquitoes in Mutare and Mutasa Districts of Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe
A study was conducted to investigate the current resting behavior of malaria vectors in Mutare and Mutasa districts, Zimbabwe. Mosquitoes were captured using pyrethrum spray collection, prokopac aspirator, pit shelter, and exit trap methods. Mosquitoes were sorted and identified using morphological key and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. The Anopheles funestus group constituted 97%, whereas Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes were few (3%). Endophilic collections in both species were five times greater than exophilic catches. The endophilic trait was further demonstrated by gravid to fed index (gravid/fed) of ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Sande, S., Zimba, M., Chinwada, P., Masendu, H. T., Makuwaza, A. Tags: Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents Source Type: research
ThermaCELL and OFF! Clip-On Devices Tested for Repellency and Mortality Against Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodida: Amblyommidae)
The ThermaCELL with allethrin and OFF! Clip-on with metofluthrin were tested in a 939 m2 vented enclosure against nymphal lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum (L.). Repellency assays were conducted at varying distances relative to product specifications for repellency range. Nymphal ticks acclimated for 24 h in chambers attached to 10 repellency tracks per repetition. Devices were turned on, and the tick travel distance and delay until beginning to travel were recorded. Mortality of ticks was recorded after 24 h. Mortality assays were also conducted at the same distances with five ticks per cage, and 12 cages per distance...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Bibbs, C. S., Xue, R.-D. Tags: Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents Source Type: research
Host-Parasite Associations in Small Mammal Communities in Semiarid Savanna Ecosystems of East Africa
Despite the established importance of rodents as reservoirs of vector-borne zoonoses in East Africa, there is relatively limited information regarding the infestation parameters and host associations of ectoparasites that vector many such pathogens among small mammals in this region. Between 2009 and 2013, small mammals were live-trapped in the semiarid savanna of Kenya. A subset of these individual hosts, including 20 distinct host taxa, was examined for ectoparasites, which were identified to species. Species of fleas, ticks, mites, and sucking lice were recorded. Based on these data, we calculated host-specific infestat...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Guerra, A. S., Eckerlin, R. P., Dowling, A. P. G., Durden, L. A., Robbins, R. G., Dittmar, K., Helgen, K. M., Agwanda, B., Allan, B. F., Hedlund, T., Young, H. S. Tags: Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal Source Type: research
Characterization of Genetic Variability and Population Structure of the Tick Amblyomma aureolatum (Acari: Ixodidae)
The hard tick Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas) is a vector of the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, the etiologic agent of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) in parts of Brazil. Despite its wide distribution in southeastern South America and its public health importance, there is no information about genetic variation of this species that might help to understand the epidemiology of BSF. Using data from eight microsatellite markers and ticks from six localities, we used a population genetics approach to test the hypothesis that tick populations from areas with the presence of R. rickettsii are genetically different from ticks from ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Ogrzewalska, M., Schwarcz, K., Bajay, M. M., Bajay, S. K., Pinheiro, J. B., Zucchi, M. I., Pinter, A., Labruna, M. B. Tags: Population Biology/Genetics Source Type: research
Recent Changes in the Local Distribution of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in South Florida, USA
This study confirms the importance of monitoring the changing ranges of these two important vector species. (Source: Journal of Medical Entomology)
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Hopperstad, K. A., Reiskind, M. H. Tags: Population and Community Ecology Source Type: research
Assessment of the Abundance and Diversity of Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae (Diptera) in Sites With Different Degrees of Human Impact in the Ibera Wetlands (Argentina)
The aim of the present study was to explore the diversity and describe the spatial distribution of Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae along an urbanization gradient in the Iberá Wetlands. The flies were collected at 18 sampling points, three per site. In total, 3,318 flies were collected (3,077 blow flies and 241 flesh flies), distributed in 13 genera and 33 species. Calliphoridae was the most abundant, comprised 92.74% of all adult flies. Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Cochliomyia macellaria (F.), Chrysomya megacephala (F.), and Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) were the most abundant species, representing 82.21% of the ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Dufek, M. I., Oscherov, E. B., Damborsky, M. P., Mulieri, P. R. Tags: Population and Community Ecology Source Type: research
Diversity of Quill Mites of the Family Syringophilidae (Acari: Prostigmata) Parasitizing Owls (Aves: Strigiformes) With Remarks on the Host-Parasite Relationships
The quill mite fauna of the family Syringophilidae (Acari: Prostigmata: Cheyletoidea) associated with owls (Aves: Strigiformes) is reviewed. A new genus is proposed, Neobubophilus Skoracki & Unsoeld gen. nov. It differs from closely related Bubophilus (Bubophilus Philips and Norton, 1978) by the absence of leg setae vsII in the both sexes. In addition, four new species are described: (1) Neobubophilus cunicularius Skoracki & Unsoeld sp. nov. from Athene cunicularia (Molina, 1782) (Strigidae) from Paraguay; (2) Neobubophilus atheneus Skoracki & Unsoeld sp. nov. from Athene noctua (Scopoli, 1769) and Athene brama...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Skoracki, M., Unsoeld, M., Marciniak, N., Sikora, B. Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
Ultrastructural Morphology of the Antenna and Maxillary Palp of Sarcophaga tibialis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)
A scanning electron microscopy investigation of the antenna and maxillary palp of the adult of Sarcophaga tibialis Macquart (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), a species of medical, veterinary, and forensic relevance, is presented for the first time. Adults of both sexes used in this study were obtained from larvae collected in a case of traumatic myiasis in a domestic cat in northern Italy. The antenna of S. tibialis is that typical of cyclorrhaphan Diptera, consisting of three segments: the scape, the pedicel, and the postpedicel, bearing the arista. The scape is covered by microtrichia and has a row of long chaetic sensilla. The ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Pezzi, M., Whitmore, D., Chicca, M., Semeraro, B., Brighi, F., Leis, M. Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
A New Species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) From Kalimantan, Indonesia, With Keys to Identify 19 Bornean Species of the Subgenus Gomphostilbia
A new simuliid species, Simulium kalimantanense sp. nov., is described on the basis of females, males, pupae, and mature larvae from East Kalimantan, Indonesia, and is assigned to the Simulium banauense species-group of Simulium (Gomphostilbia). This new species has close similarities to S. alienigenum Takaoka from the Philippines, in many characters including the adult antennal color pattern and pupal gill with four long filaments arranged in two pairs each bearing a long stalk, but is distinguished from the latter in the female by the longer sensory vesicle and in the pupa by the gill with an elongate common basal stalk....
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Takaoka, H., Sofian-Azirun, M., Yacob, Z., Chen, C. D., Low, V. L., Harmonis, Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
Mitochondrial Genomes of Anopheles (Kerteszia) (Diptera: Culicidae) From the Atlantic Forest, Brazil
Mitochondrial genome sequences are widely used as molecular markers for phylogenetic studies of mosquito species complexes, such as the Anopheles albitarsis complex. Except for a few studies that employed a limited number of nuclear or mitochondrial loci to address the genetic structure and species status of Anopheles cruzii, Anopheles bellator, and Anopheles homunculus, little is known about genetic markers that can be employed in studies focusing on Kerteszia species. The complete mitochondrial genomes of seven specimens of An. bellator, An. cruzii, An. homunculus, and Anopheles laneanus were sequenced using long-range p...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Oliveira, T. M. P., Foster, P. G., Bergo, E. S., Nagaki, S. S., Sanabani, S. S., Marinotti, O., Marinotti, P. N., Sallum, M. A. M. Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
Effect of Continuous and Cyclic Exposure to a Cold Environment on the Development of Larvae of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Different Sized Larval Masses
Regulation of forensic practice in many countries prevents the pathologist performing an immediate autopsy. During the period prior to autopsy, the corpse and the insects possibly associated with it are stored in a mortuary with temperatures ~4°C. When a corpse is found in a late stage of decay, fly immatures may be present as small or large larval masses. The purpose of refrigeration at 4°C is to slow down the decomposition of the corpse as well as the temporary disruption of the activity and development of the bacteria and the necrophagous insects associated with the corpse. The aim of this research is to investi...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Magni, P. A., Dhaliwal, S. S., Dadour, I. R. Tags: Development, Life History Source Type: research
