Pyrethroid Insecticide Resistance Mechanisms in the Adult Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae)
This study was conducted to determine pyrethroid resistance mechanisms and the biological, physiological, and molecular impacts of resistance in Ph. papatasi, and to compare their resistance mechanisms against those reported for mosquitoes and other intensely studied dipterans. Field-collected Ph. papatasi from Aswan, Egypt, were subjected to sublethal doses of permethrin and reared as a resistant strain under laboratory conditions through 16 generations. Biological parameter observations of resistant Ph. papatasi revealed an association of resistance with productivity cost. Physiological analysis revealed that concentrati...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Fawaz, E. Y., Zayed, A. B., Fahmy, N. T., Villinski, J. T., Hoel, D. F., Diclaro, J. W. Tags: Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents Source Type: research
Vector Surveillance for Dengue Virus Detection in the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
This study aimed to monitor the DENV serotypes in mosquito samples collected in FN, where at least one resident was clinically diagnosed as dengue patient. Entomological surveillance was conducted in 2011 and 2012. Mosquitoes were sorted by sex and location and were stored in pools. DENV detection was performed using polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcription (RT-PCR) and the Platelia Dengue NS1 Ag. RNA integrity was checked by RT-PCR using rpL8 primers, and the minimum infection rate (MIR) was calculated. In total, 339 pools were analyzed, and only one was positive (DENV-1) by Multiplex RT-PCR (MIR = 1.53). When...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Barbosa, P. P., Guedes, D. R. D., Melo-Santos, M. A. V., Cordeiro, M. T., Acioli, R. V., Batista, C. A. V., Goncalves, L. S. M., Souza, M. F. M., Araujo, Y. V., Magalhaes, F. J. R., Regis, L., Ayres, C. F. J. Tags: Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention Source Type: research
Surveillance for Heartland Virus (Bunyaviridae: Phlebovirus) in Missouri During 2013: First Detection of Virus in Adults of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae)
During 2013, we collected and tested ticks for Heartland virus (HRTV), a recently described human pathogen in the genus Phlebovirus (Bunyaviridae), from six sites in northwestern Missouri. Five sites were properties owned by HRTV patients, and the sixth was a conservation area that yielded virus in ticks during 2012. We collected 39,096 ticks representing five species; however, two species, Amblyomma americanum (L.) (97.6%) and Dermacentor variabilis (Say) (2.3%), accounted for nearly all ticks collected. We detected 60 HRTV-positive tick pools and all were composed of A. americanum: 53 pools of nymphs, six pools of male a...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Savage, H. M., Godsey, M. S., Panella, N. A., Burkhalter, K. L., Ashley, D. C., Lash, R. R., Ramsay, B., Patterson, T., Nicholson, W. L. Tags: Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention Source Type: research
Habitat Suitability Model for the Distribution of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Minnesota
Ixodes scapularis Say, the black-legged tick, is the primary vector in the eastern United States of several pathogens causing human diseases including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Over the past two decades, I. scapularis-borne diseases have increased in incidence as well as geographic distribution. Lyme disease exists in two major foci in the United States, one encompassing northeastern states and the other in the Upper Midwest. Minnesota represents a state with an appreciable increase in counties reporting I. scapularis-borne illnesses, suggesting geographic expansion of vector populations in recent years. ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Johnson, T. L., Bjork, J. K. H., Neitzel, D. F., Dorr, F. M., Schiffman, E. K., Eisen, R. J. Tags: Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention Source Type: research
Conjugation-Mediated Transfer of Antibiotic-Resistance Plasmids Between Enterobacteriaceae in the Digestive Tract of Blaberus craniifer (Blattodea: Blaberidae)
Cockroaches, insects of the order Blattodea, seem to play a crucial role in the possible conjugation-mediated genetic exchanges that occur among bacteria that harbor in the cockroach intestinal tract. The gut of these insects can be thought of as an effective in vivo model for the natural transfer of antimicrobial resistance plasmids among bacteria. In our study, we evaluated the conjugation-mediated horizontal transfer of resistance genes between Escherichia coli and other microorganisms of the same Enterobacteriaceae family within the intestinal tract of Blaberus craniifer Burmeister, 1838 (Blattodea: Blaberidae). D...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Anacarso, I., Iseppi, R., Sabia, C., Messi, P., Condo, C., Bondi, M., de Niederhäusern, S. Tags: Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention Source Type: research
Detection of SFTS Virus in Ixodes nipponensis and Amblyomma testudinarium (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Collected From Reptiles in the Republic of Korea
A survey of reptile-associated ticks and their infection status with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus was conducted to determine the relative abundance and distribution among lizards, skinks, and snakes in the Republic of Korea (ROK). In total, 132 reptiles, including 49 lizards (two species), 15 skinks (one species), and 68 snakes (eight species) were collected. In total, 84 ixodid ticks belonging to two genera (Ixodes and Amblyomma) were collected from 28/132 (21.2%) lizards, skinks, and snakes. Ixodes nipponensis Kitaoka & Saito was only collected from lizards and skinks, while Amblyomma test...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Suh, J.-H., Kim, H.-C., Yun, S.-M., Lim, J.-W., Kim, J.-H., Chong, S.-T., Kim, D.-H., Kim, H.-T., Kim, H., Klein, T. A., Johnson, J. L., Lee, W.-J. Tags: Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention Source Type: research
Toxicity of Sulfide and Ammonium to Aedes triseriatus Larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) in Water-Filled Tree Holes and Tires
Ammonium and sulfide in water of tree hole and tire habitats of Aedes triseriatus Say larvae could accumulate to toxic levels, limiting growth and production of larvae and adults. Both ions were detected in water samples taken in longitudinal series over 11 dates from 10 habitats of each type during the larval growth season, at concentrations suggestive of reducing conditions in these habitats. Ammonium was more concentrated overall in water of both habitat types, while sulfide was more concentrated in tires than in tree holes. Water of tree holes was more acidic, whereas water in tires tended to be more basic, an importan...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Walker, E. D. Tags: Population and Community Ecology Source Type: research
Characterization of an Indoor-Resting Population of Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae) and the Implications on Malaria Transmission in Tubu Village in Okavango Subdistrict, Botswana
This study assessed some of the entomological indices that contribute to malaria transmission by an indoor-resting population of Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae) in Tubu village, Okavango subdistrict. The pyrethroid space-spray technique and hut searches were used to sample mosquitoes. Species and bloodmeal source identification were done using the polymerase chain reaction techniques. The infective status was determined by the enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay test. The human blood indices (HBI), human-biting rates (HBR), and vector densities were computed. Anopheles arabiensis was the sole vector and mem...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Chirebvu, E., Chimbari, M. J. Tags: Population and Community Ecology Source Type: research
The Interactive Role of Immature Stage Competition, Cohort Overlap, and Resource Limitation on the Population Viability of the Treehole Mosquito Aedes triseriatus (Diptera: Culicidae)
The size and success of epidemiologically significant adult mosquito populations are inherently tied to the conditions of the aquatic habitat in which juvenile stages grow until eclosion. While resource competition and quality are well-established controls to juvenile growth and survival, the implications to overall population rates of increase are less understood due to the large sample sizes needed to parameterize population models for all five juvenile life stages under multiple environmental and demographic conditions. Here, we present the results of >4,300 trials of wild-caught Aedes triseriatus (Say, 1823) larvae ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Hanly, P. J., Haase, A. T. Tags: Population and Community Ecology Source Type: research
A Proteomic Analysis of Sarcoptes scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae)
The pruritic skin disease scabies is caused by the burrowing of the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei (De Geer). It is difficult to diagnose this disease because its symptoms often resemble those of other skin diseases. No reliable blood or molecular diagnostic test is available. The aim of this project was to begin to characterize the scabies proteome to identify scabies mite proteins, including those that may be useful in the development of a diagnostic test or vaccine. Various scabies mite extracts were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and 844 Coomassie Blue-stained protein spots were excised, subjected to trypsi...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Morgan, M. S., Arlian, L. G., Rider, S. D., Grunwald, W. C., Cool, D. R. Tags: Neurobiology, Physiology, Biochemistry Source Type: research
Musserellus gen. nov., and Five New Species of Fleas (Siphonaptera: Stivaliidae) From Murid Rodents in Sulawesi and West Papua, Indonesia
A new stivaliid flea genus, Musserellus, and five new species are described. The new genus is compared with its closest morphological relatives, the genera Rectidigitus Holland and Metastivalius Holland. Musserellus vanpeeneni sp. nov., Musserellus wattsi sp. nov., Musserellus whitei sp. nov., and Musserellus marshalli sp. nov. are described from endemic murid rodents in Sulawesi, Indonesia, while Musserellus dunneti sp. nov. is described from Rattus rattus in West Papua, Indonesia. Host associations and the biogeographical relevance of the faunal connection between Sulawesi and New Guinea shown by Musserellus are briefly ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Mardon, D. K., Durden, L. A. Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
Description of the Female of Martinsmyia minasensis (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae), With Distribution Records and a Key to Female Identification
The adult female of the sand fly species Martinsmyia minasensis (Mangabeira, 1942) is described, and the characters of the genus Martinsmyia Galati, 1995 are defined. We performed morphometric analyses on the spermatheca and wings, and present data on the geographical distribution of M. minasensis, as well as an identification key to females of this genus. The specimens were measured, drawn, photographed, and compared with the similar species M. oliveirai. It was possible to distinguish between M. minasensis and M. oliveirai based on differences found in the common and individual ducts of the spermatheca, as well as wing s...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Shimabukuro, P. H. F., Carvalho, G. M. d. L., Gontijo, C. M. F., Rego, F. D. Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
Spatiotemporal Co-occurrence of Flanders and West Nile Viruses Within Culex Populations in Shelby County, Tennessee
West Nile virus (WNV) and Flanders virus (FLAV) can cocirculate in Culex mosquitoes in parts of North America. A large dataset of mosquito pools tested for WNV and FLAV was queried to understand the spatiotemporal relationship between these two viruses in Shelby County, TN. We found strong evidence of global clustering (i.e., spatial autocorrelation) and overlapping of local clustering (i.e., Hot Spots based on Getis Ord Gi*) of maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) of infection rates (IR) during 2008–2013. Temporally, FLAV emerges and peaks on average 10.2 wk prior to WNV based on IR. Higher levels of WNV IR were detec...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Lucero, D. E., Carlson, T. C., Delisle, J., Poindexter, S., Jones, T. F., Moncayo, A. C. Tags: Modeling/GIS, Risk Assessment, Economic Impact Source Type: research
Effects of Temperature and Tissue Type on the Development of Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae)
This study is the first to examine the effects of different temperatures and tissues from two vertebrate species on the growth rate and larval length of M. scalaris. A preliminary validation of these data was also conducted. Immatures of M. scalaris were reared on either bovine or porcine biceps femoris at 24 °C, 28 °C, and 32 °C. Temperature significantly impacted immature development time, including egg eclosion, eclosion to pupation, and pupation to adult emergence, to favor faster development at higher temperatures. From ovipostion to eclosion, development rate was 32.1% faster from 24 °C to 28 °C,...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Thomas, J. K., Sanford, M. R., Longnecker, M., Tomberlin, J. K. Tags: Development, Life History Source Type: research
Variability in Population Density of House Dust Mites of Bitlis and Mus, Turkey
This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the number of house dust mites/g dust and different physical and environmental variables. A total of 1,040 house dust samples were collected from houses in Bitlis and Mus Provinces, Turkey, between May 2010 and February 2012. Overall, 751 (72.2%) of dust samples were mite positive. The number of mites/g dust varied between 20 and 1,840 in mite-positive houses. A significant correlation was detected between mean number of mites and altitude of houses, frequency of monthly vacuum cleaning, number of individuals in the household, and relative humidity. No associ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - May 19, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Aykut, M., Erman, O. K., Dogan, S. Tags: Arthropod/Host Interaction, Immunity Source Type: research
