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Changes in the ecosystems of vector-borne diseases can make the environment more or less favorable for mosquito vectors, animal reservoirs, and disease transmission. We report for the 1st time Anopheles marajoara in Argentina. In addition, An. deaneorum is reported for the 1st time in northwestern area of the country. Aedes fulvus, Culex eduardoi, Limatus durhamii, Mansonia pseudotitillans, Psorophora albigenu, Ps. cingulata, and Uranotaenia nataliae are recorded for the 1st time in Tucumán Province. Data on collection localities and comments about medical importance are also presented., (Copyright © 2024 by The American Mosquito Control Association, Inc.)

Gravid mosquito collections were compared among several large-volume (infusion volume ≥35 liters) gravid trap designs and the small-volume (infusion volume  =  6 liters) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gravid trap used routinely by vector control districts for vector and pathogen surveillance. The numbers of gravid Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. tarsalis, and Cx. stigmatosoma collected by large gravid traps were greater than by the CDC gravid trap during nearly all overnight trials. Large-volume gravid traps collected on average 6.6-fold more adult female Culex mosquitoes compared to small-volume CDC gravid traps across 3 seasons during the 3 years of the studies. The differences in gravid mosquito collections between large-versus small-volume gravid traps were greatest during spring, when 8- to 56-fold more Culex individuals were collected using large-volume gravid traps. The proportion of gravid females in collections did not differ appreciably among the more effective trap designs tested. Important determinants of gravid trap performance were infusion container size and type as well as infusion volume, which determined the distance between the suction trap and the infusion surface. Of lesser importance for gravid trap performance were the number of suction traps, method of suction trap mounting, and infusion concentration. Fermentation of infusions between 1 and 4 wk weakly affected total mosquito collections, with Cx. stigmatosoma collections moderately enhanced by comparatively young and organically enriched infusions. A suction trap mounted above 100 liters of organic infusion housed in a 121-liter black plastic container collected the most gravid mosquitoes over the greatest range of experimental conditions, and a 35-liter infusion with side-mounted suction traps was a promising lesser-volume alternative design.

Little is known regarding the comparative source–sink relationships between primary mosquito breeding sites (source) and neighboring (sink) environments in heterogeneous landscapes. An exploration of those relationships may provide unique insights into the utility of open-space buffer zone mitigation strategies currently being considered by urban planners to reduce contact between mosquitoes and humans. We investigated the source–sink relationships between a highly productive mosquito habitat and adjacent residential (developed) and rural (undeveloped) coastal environments. Our results suggest that source–sink relationships are unaffected by environment. This conclusion is supported by the high level of synchronicity in daily saltmarsh mosquito abundance observed among all surveyed environments (β = 0.67–0.79, P < 0.001). This synchronicity occurred despite the uniqueness of each surveyed environment and the considerable distances of open water and land (2.2–2.6 km) between them. Trap catches, which we interpret as expected mosquito biting nuisance, were high in both residential and rural coastal landscapes (309.4 ± 52.84 and 405.3 ± 62.41 mosquitoes/day, respectively). These observations suggest that existing and planned open-space buffer zones will do little to reduce the biting burden caused by highly vagile saltmarsh mosquitoes. This strengthens the need for empirically informed planning guidelines that alert urban planners to the real risks of human residential encroachment on land that is close to highly vagile mosquito habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field study was carried out on the year-long residual activity of the insect growth regulator (IGR) pyriproxyfen (Nylar 0.5G) in comparison with methoprene (Altosid® XRP Pellets) against mosquito developmental stages in catch basins in northwestern Riverside County, southern California. Pyriproxyfen was applied at 75, 100, 125, 150, 175 g per catch basin and methoprene at 3.5 g per catch basin. A total of 80 catch basins (10 per each treatment and 20 for control) were used. Posttreatment observations of catch basins were carried out at weekly intervals, with all pupal collections reared to adults. Mosquito species composition in this study, consisting mostly of Culex species (693), was predominated by Cx. quinquefasciatus (92.8%), followed by Cx. erythrothorax (5.5%), Cx. tarsalis (1.2%), Cx. stigmatosoma (0.3%), and Cx. thriambus (0.2%). Activity of both IGRs was expressed as percent inhibition of adult emergence (% IAE). Data generated on % IAE showed that, like methoprene, pyriproxyfen provided complete control of mosquitoes at 75, 125, and 175 g per catch basin up to 50 wk posttreatment at the Riverside amusement park, whereas its activity against mosquitoes in catch basins treated with 100 g and 150 g at the Eastvale site was short-lived, up to 48 wk. Water samples, bioassayed against laboratory-reared, 4th-stage larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus 1–2 wk after the 50-wk-long study, showed evidence of significant % IAE (∼50) by pyriproxyfen at the 2 higher rates (125 g, 175 g) used at the amusement park. In conclusion, pyriproxyfen can be used to effectively control mosquitoes in catch basins for 48–50 wk, depending on the rate of application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hurricanes and other natural disasters leave behind multifaceted and complex environmental challenges that may contribute to adverse health outcomes, such as increased potential for exposure to vector-borne disease. Through an incident management system tailored for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (NCEH/ATSDR) fulfills a leadership role in facilitating the agency's natural disaster emergency response activities through coordination with other CDC programs, liaising with other government agencies and impacted jurisdictions, and responding to requests for technical assistance. On the ground, NCEH/ATSDR deploys environmental health (EH) practitioners who provide consultation and inform mosquito control efforts from a systematic perspective. In the wake of recent hurricanes, NCEH staff mobilized to manage critical elements of the responses and to provide assets for addressing environmental hazards and conditions that contributed to the presence of mosquitoes. In this article, we describe NCEH/ATSDR's emergency response roles and responsibilities, interactions within the national emergency response framework, and provision of EH technical assistance and resources, particularly in the context of postdisaster mosquito control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatain® is an alternative larvicide formulation to the currently used larvicides. Its efficacy can be assessed monitoring emerging adults with a floating device that was recently developed for use in catch basins. In this study, the efficacy of Aquatain in controlling Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens complex was investigated by comparing the adults emerging from 25 treated catch basins with that of 25 control basins in northeastern Italy. Basins were monitored weekly for 9 times and the efficacy was evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U-test and calculating the inhibition of emergence at each sampling. Aquatain was effective in reducing the number of emerging mosquitoes for both species, but its duration was affected by rainfall. Intensive showers (>10 mm daily) seem to reduce the efficacy of the product, allowing an increase in emerging adults after about 2 wk. This finding suggests that climatic factors should be taken into account to decide the right time for reapplication of Aquatain during routine larval treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gravid traps have become a common and frequently essential surveillance tool for parous Culex spp. vectors of West Nile virus and other encephalitis-causing pathogens. The recent closing of BioQuip Products Inc., an entomological supply company, has jeopardized the commercial availability of gravid traps. The Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District presents herein a template for making your own gravid trap, but with some modernizations for quieter fans and longer lasting, light weight, lithium battery packs. At the time of writing, the materials cost for the fan ($14 USD), toolbox ($13), cables ($9), ABS pipe ($2.50), aluminum brackets ($10), catch container with lid ($9), trap net ($10), USB battery pack ($35) and the negligible amount of 3D-printed filament ($2), is approximately half the cost (not including labor) of the formerly available commercial model. Additionally, performance validation in the laboratory (t4,9 = 0.1191, P < 0.9109) and within two field sites (χ2 = 0.107, P < 0.744) demonstrated no significant differences in collections of gravid Culex pipiens. We do not present an overhaul of the previous gravid trap blueprint, but the quality-of-life updates to the trap design, the feasibility of in-house manufacture, and the mirrored collection efficacy to the commercial model can allow improved maintenance of gravid trap surveillance networks without a commercial supplier., (Copyright © 2023 by The American Mosquito Control Association, Inc.)

An arbovirus surveillance military exercise was conducted to assess the risk of Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV) in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Wide Bay training area (WBTA), northeastern Australia, in April 2018. Of the 5,540 female mosquitoes collected, 3,702 were screened for RRV and BFV by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in a field laboratory. One pool of Verrallina funerea was positive for RRV and 8 pools (7 pools of Aedes vigilax and 1 pool of Culex annulirostris) were positive for BFV. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete nucleotide sequence of the E2 protein subgrouped both RRV and BFV with viruses previously isolated from human infections, indicating the potential risk of RRV and BFV infection to ADF personnel while training in WBTA. This is the 1st time that both RRV and BFV have been detected in a military training area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on insecticide resistance in mosquitoes from Mississippi are reported. Mosquitoes were collected from June through October 2017 from 28 cities in Mississippi and included wild-caught Culex quinquefasciatus Say obtained as egg rafts (reared to adults), and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) collected as larvae (reared to adults). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bottle bioassay protocol was utilized. Thirty-six populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus were tested for malathion resistance from 24 cities; 22 of them (61.1%) met the World Health Organization criteria as resistant, and the remaining 14 (38.9%) were classified suspected resistant. Forty-one populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus were also tested from 24 cities for resistance to permethrin, and of these, 18 populations (43.9%) were susceptible, 13 (31.7%) were resistant, and 10 (24.4%) were suspected resistance. Eighteen populations of Ae. albopictus were collected from 10 cities in Mississippi for resistance testing to malathion; 5 populations were susceptible (27.8%), 5 were resistant (27.8%), and 8 (44.4%) suspected resistant. Sixteen populations of Ae. albopictus were tested from 10 cities for resistance to permethrin and none were resistant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and human activity affect the geographical and annual distribution and population abundance of mosquitoes. As natural habitats are reduced, it is hypothesized that mosquitoes may seek refuge in more stable environments such as cave habitats. Therefore, we explored the species diversity of mosquitoes exploiting cave habitats in Thailand. Ten species belonging to 4 genera were collected, of which none were considered to be true cave-dwelling species (Troglobiont). The known cavernicolous species, Aedes cavaticus, was observed to oviposit outside of the cave and therefore should be categorized as a subtroglophilic species. Other species were also oviposited inside the cave but should be regarded as trogloxenic species. There was no clear association between environmental factors and mosquito abundance inside the 4 limestone caves, except for Ae. cavaticus, which was positively correlated with rainfall. This study indicates that different biotic or abiotic factors may be involved in mosquito oviposition site selection inside caves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Collections of mosquitoes were conducted for the surveillance of species of medical importance in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, in June of 2017. Species collected included Psorophora (Psorophora) cilipes and Culex (Melanoconion) theobaldi, both new records for the state. Psorophora cilipes was previously recorded in Mexico State and Cx. theobaldi in Chiapas State. With the addition of these species, the mosquito fauna of Quintana Roo State now includes 81 species. Quintana Roo and Tamaulipas State with 82 species are the most mosquito-rich states in Mexico, based on currently available records. The specimens collected in this study were deposited in the Culicidae collection of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro Unidad Laguna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This is the 1st time that a comprehensive checklist of the mosquitoes of New York City has been compiled. This list is based on an arrayed collection of 2.3 million mosquitoes trapped and identified from 1,369 locations in the city between 2000 and 2017. Forty-seven species and 6 subspecies were identified belonging to 9 mosquito genera. Culex pipiens was the most prevalent species, most frequently encountered throughout the city. Over time, species diversity in the genus Aedes has increased from 10 species in the 1930s to 23 species in the recent surveys (2000–17). Invasive species Aedes albopictus and Ae. japonicus japonicus, which were rare in 2000, are now well established in all 5 boroughs of the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in North America during 1999, and has since spread throughout the contiguous USA. West Nile virus causes West Nile fever and the more severe West Nile neuroinvasive disease. As part of a WNV vector surveillance program, we collected mosquitoes in Lubbock, Texas, using CO2-baited encephalitic vector survey (EVS) traps. During 219 wk from 2009 through 2017, EVS traps were operated for 1,748 trap nights, resulting in more than 101,000 mosquitoes captured. Weekly, selected female mosquito specimens were pooled by species and trap site, and screened for WNV using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assay. Mosquitoes positive for WNV were detected during 16.9% (37/219) of the weeks. Using this information, we constructed a statistical model to predict the probability of detecting an infection within a mosquito pool as a factor of weather variables. The final model indicated that detection of WNV in mosquitoes was negatively associated with the week of year squared and average wind from 3 wk prior to sampling, and was positively associated with week of year, average visibility, average humidity from 2 wk prior to sampling, and average dew point from 4 wk prior to sampling. The model developed in this study may aid public health and vector control programs in swift and effective decision making relative to city-wide mosquito control efforts by predicting when the chances of mosquitoes having WNV are at their greatest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens are commonly distributed in Italy and represent the main species found in catch basins. The application of a silicone-based film (e.g., Aquatain®) is a new tool recently introduced for treating catch basins. While the efficacy of Aquatain has been experimentally demonstrated, its use is still lacking an appropriate monitoring procedure. The present study compared the differences in the efficacy of treatment assessment between a newly developed floating system (FS), which was designed to collect emerging adults, with the standard dipper procedure, used for estimating the abundance of mosquito larvae. Forty catch basins, half treated with Aquatain and half untreated (control basins), were monitored weekly using dipper (10 treated + 10 control basins) or FS (10 + 10) 5 times after 2 subsequent treatments. Both monitoring procedures recorded high percentages of larvae and adult reduction for the 1st 1−3 wk after treatments, confirming the simultaneous activity of Aquatain against all stages of mosquitoes. Differences in adult emergence were recorded also when monitoring of larvae was ineffective, suggesting that the newly developed FS is a promising method for assessing the efficacy of monomolecular films in catch basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mosquito fauna in urban parks in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, was investigated and compared for richness and diversity, and the abundance of each species was associated with climatic variables. Simultaneously, a virological investigation was performed to test the presence of Flavivirus and Alphavirus. Aspirations of adult mosquitoes were conducted in 3 urban parks for 3 consecutive weeks of each season between October 2018 and January 2020. A total of 2,388 mosquitoes were identified, with Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. nigripalpus, and Aedes aegypti being the most abundant species. Mosquito assemblages showed similar richness and diversity, showing variability in individual results. Temperatures and Ae. aegypti abundance correlated significantly in one of the parks investigated herein. Urban parks represent areas of shelter and refuge for both anthropophilic and opportunistic species, such as Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti, as well as species that still need moderately preserved environments to develop., (Copyright © 2023 by The American Mosquito Control Association, Inc.)

Research on natural insecticides has intensified with the spread of resistance to chemicals among insects, particularly disease vectors. To evaluate compounds, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published standardized procedures. However, those may be excessively compound-consuming when it comes to assessing the activity of natural extracts and pure compounds isolated in limited amount. As part of our work on the discovery of new mosquito larvicides from Amazonian plants, we developed a compound-saving assay in 5-ml glass tubes instead of WHO larval 100-ml cups. Comparing activity of synthetic and natural chemicals validated the glass tube assay. Raw data, lethal doses that kill 50% (LD50) and 90% (LD90) at 24 and 48 h, were highly correlated (0.68 < R2 < 0.96, P < 0.001, Pearson test) between cups and tubes. It was also established that 10 tubes ( N = 50 larvae) provided the same level of sensitivity as 20 tubes ( N = 100). This method proved suitable for rapid screening of natural extracts and molecules, identifying active compounds using 10 times less material than in the WHO protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chronological list of species based on date of publication is provided for confirmed mosquito species in West Virginia. Five additional newly found species in the state are documented with collection data. Two previously misidentified or mislabeled published records are corrected. The number of confirmed species occurring in the state is now 35, and many more species are likely present, but undetected. Significant populations of 4 widely distributed known vector species, Aedes albopictus, Ae. japonicus japonicus, Ae. triseriatus, and Culex pipiens, in West Virginia signal an urgent need for additional studies, surveillance, and increased mosquito control efforts to help prevent future native and invasive arbovirus infections and outbreaks in local residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent autodissemination studies have popularly favored pyriproxyfen, but methoprene is already established and widely used in control programs. This study demonstrated that methoprene could also autodisseminate through contaminated gravid females. Arenas of oviposition cups were arranged around methoprene-contaminated bait stations. Gravid female Aedes albopictus were released to allow oviposition. All cups were then removed and tested in an insect growth regulator bioassay. Liquid formulations did not result in adequate autodissemination among treatment groups. Granular formulations pulverized into a fine powder resulted in successful autodissemination. Emergence inhibition was recorded as high as 85% in individual assays. Pooled inhibition across the granular trials was 56.7%. Methoprene has benefits similar to pyriproxyfen use and has the added advantage of already being established and readily available in existing mosquito control programs throughout the USA. Methoprene is a good candidate for continued investigation of autodissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient insecticides are receiving increasing attention in many developed countries because of their value in reducing mosquito nuisance. As required by the European Union Biocidal Products Regulation 528/2012, these devices require appropriate testing of their efficacy, which is based on estimating the knockdown and mortality rates of free-flying (free) mosquitoes in a test room. However, evaluations using free mosquitoes present many complexities. The performances of 6 alternative methods with mosquitoes held in 2 different cage designs (steel wire and gauze/plastic) with and without an operating fan for air circulation were monitored in a test room through a closed-circuit television system and were compared with the currently recommended method using free mosquitoes. Results for caged mosquitoes without a fan showed a clearly delayed knockdown effect, whereas outcomes for caged mosquitoes with a fan recorded higher mortality at 24 h, compared to free mosquitoes. Among the 6 methods, cages made of gauze and plastic operating with fan wind speed at 2.5-2.8 m/sec was the only method without a significant difference in results for free mosquitoes, and therefore appears as the best alternative to assess knockdown by ambient insecticides accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 25th Annual Latin American Symposium presented by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) was held as part of the 81st Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA, in March 2015. The principal objective, as for the previous 24 symposia, was to promote participation in the AMCA by vector control specialists, public health workers, and academicians from Latin America. This publication includes summaries of 24 presentations that were given orally in Spanish by participants from Colombia, Mexico, and the USA. Topics addressed in the symposium included: surveillance, operations, ecology, chemical control, studies of dengue viruses, and insecticide resistance. Insect vectors included Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles mosquitoes in addition to phlebotomine sand flies and triatomine bugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue and other vector-borne diseases are of great public health importance in Colombia. Vector surveillance and control activities are often focused at the household level. Little is known about the importance of nonhousehold sites, including schools, in maintaining vector-borne disease transmission. The objectives of this paper were to determine the mosquito species composition in rural schools in 2 municipalities in Colombia and to assess the potential risk of vector-borne disease transmission in school settings. Entomological surveys were carried out in rural schools during the dry and rainy seasons of 2011. A total of 12 mosquito species were found: Aedes aegypti, Anopheles pseudopunctipennis, Culex coronator, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and Limatus durhamii in both immature and adult forms; Ae. fluviatilis, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. corniger, and Psorophora ferox in immature forms only; and Ae. angustivittatus, Haemagogus equinus, and Trichoprosopon lampropus in adult forms only. The most common mosquito species was Cx. quinquefasciatus. Classrooms contained the greatest abundance of adult female Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus. The most common Ae. aegypti breeding sites were containers classified as 'others' (e.g., cans), followed by containers used for water storage. A high level of Ae. aegypti infestation was found during the wet season. Our results suggest that rural schools are potentially important foci for the transmission of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. We propose that public health programs should be implemented in rural schools to prevent vector-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 2,582 specimens of mosquitoes of 16 taxonomic categories grouped into 5 genera ( Aedes, Culex, Mansonia, Toxorhynchites, and Wyeomyia) were collected in a central park of São Paulo City, Brazil. It is crucial to include such an area in official entomological surveillance programs since this park has all the epidemiological characteristics needed to maintain an enzootic cycle of arboviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gravid traps are commonly used by mosquito control agencies to collect local populations of Culex pipiens, which are then tested for the presence of West Nile virus. Culex pipiens adults disperse a relatively short distance (~2.5 km) from their breeding site, so it can be challenging to position a sufficient number of gravid traps to accurately monitor these mosquitoes in large urban areas. As placement of these traps is often limited to locations out of public?view, the potential for placing these traps belowground in commonly found storm-water catch basins was investigated. We compared the numbers of mosquitoes isolated in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gravid traps placed aboveground with various types of CDC gravid traps placed in nearby catch basins. We found that the gravid traps placed in catch basins collected significantly fewer Culex pipiens females as compared to the aboveground traps. However, the 2 types of catch basin traps continued to function and collect mosquitoes despite heavy rainfall and runoff, demonstrating their utility for sample collection in an urban setting. The potential advantages and disadvantages of using catch basins for the placement of CDC gravid traps are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted an inventory of the mosquito fauna of the internodes of bamboo plants grown in municipal parks in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. During October 2010 to July 2013, a total of 8,541 immature stages belonging to 21 mosquito species were collected from bamboos over 61 municipal parks. Of these, Aedes albopictus was the most abundant species followed by Ae. aegypti found in broken bamboos in most parks. The former species was 7.2 times more abundant than the latter when both species shared the same habitat. Other species collected from bamboos included Culex quinquefasciatus and Haemagogus leucocelaenus. In bamboos with perforated internodes, species of the genus Wyeomyia were the most prevalent. Differences were also observed in species composition and abundance of mosquitoes collected in transversely broken bamboos and those collected from perforated bamboo internodes. Constant surveillance of these breeding sites is crucial due to the epidemiological importance of the species found. Furthermore, these breeding sites may help maintain some native wild mosquito populations along with a variety of other invertebrates found in these urban green areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To calculate human biting rates for various mosquito species, we performed simultaneous collections for 15 wk at 6 ecologically variable sites in Hungary. Of the dominant species, the relative abundance of Aedes vexans, Ae. sticticus, and Coquillettidia richiardii showed a significant positive correlation between CO2 + Biogents lure and human landing catch (HLC). The relative abundance of Culex pipiens was significantly lower in the HLC samples than in the CO2 + BG lure samples. Of the invasive species, Aedes korecius was found more frequently in HLC, while Ae. japonicus was more common in CO2 + BG lure samples. Estimated human biting rates, determined with the 2 collection methods, showed no significant differences at high mosquito density (100-120 bites/h/person), but there was considerable variation at low mosquito biting rates. Therefore, correcting the CO2 + BG lure trapping data to include only species biting humans provides estimates approaching the values of the HLC. Our study confirmed that while HLC is the gold standard method for determining the human biting rate, provided appropriate data adjustments are made, trapping methods performing automated data collection can provide similar data while reducing the exposure of the data collector., (Copyright © 2022 by The American Mosquito Control Association, Inc.)

In a field trial, pyriproxyfen (Sumilarv 0.5% G) applied at 10 g and 50 g per catch basin and S-methoprene (Altosid XR briquet 2.1%) at 1 briquet per catch basin at a local park provided 100% inhibition of adult emergence (IAE) of the test species, Culex quinquefasciatus, for the first 3 wk. The IAE dropped to 69% to 85% for pyriproxyfen and 68% for methoprene at 4 wk posttreatment. The IAE at 5 to 8 wk posttreatment, although remaining high, was overshadowed by high mortality in control catch basins. The high mortality in control could be attributed to autodissemination of pyriproxyfen by mosquitoes from treated to untreated catch basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An updated checklist of 50 species of mosquitoes found in Montana is presented and includes 2 new records ( Aedes niphadopsis and Anopheles walkeri) that can be added to the 2005 state list by Darsie and Ward. The results of a statewide mosquito surveillance program, conducted annually from 2004 to 2015, facilitated the establishment of an abundance rating of the species in the state and expanded the known geographic range for Coquillettidia perturbans, Ae. nigromaculis, and Culiseta minnesotae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 24th Annual Latin American Symposium presented by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) was held as part of the 80th Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA, in February 2014. The principal objective, for the previous 23 symposia, was to promote participation in the AMCA by vector control specialists, public health workers, and academicians from Latin America. This publication includes summaries of 26 presentations that were given orally in Spanish or presented as posters by participants from Colombia, Mexico, and the USA. Topics addressed in the symposium included: surveillance, ecology, chemical control, studies of dengue viruses, and insecticide resistance associated with Aedes aegypti; Anopheles vectors of malaria; essential oils; and ethnic groups and vector-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to gather information on the culicid fauna of Nova Iguaçu Municipal Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, adult and immature stages were collected with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention miniature light traps, and dippers and suction tubes, respectively. In all, 828 adult and 990 immature specimens were collected belonging to 12 genera. Among the species collected were Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae. fluviatilis, Ae. scapularis, Haemagogus leucocelaenus, and Psorophora ferox that are considered of potential medical importance. Culicids used a variety of larval habitats and bred under diverse ecological conditions, mostly in natural water containers formed by bamboo, bromeliad, ground depression, rock pool, stream, tree hole, and in artificial containers such as abandoned bathtub, car carcass, abandoned sink, plastic cup, waste tire, and water tank. Species richness and diversity increased from lower to higher forest cover and was highest in sites with highest diversity and high number of larval habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mosquito faunal survey was conducted from October 2010 to February 2011 in the municipal parks of São Paulo City, Brazil. A total of 7,015 specimens of 53 taxonomic categories grouped into 12 genera (Aedes, Anopheles, Coquilletidia, Culex, Limatus, Lutzia, Mansonia, Psorophora, Toxorhynchites, Trichoprosopon, Uranotaenia, and Wyeomyia) were collected. The largest and most peripheral parks showed greater species richness compared to smaller and more centralized parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 23rd Annual Latin American Symposium presented by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) was held as part of the 79th Annual Meeting in Atlantic City, NJ, in February 2013. The principal objective, as for the previous 22 symposia, was to promote participation in theAMCA by vector control specialists, public health workers, and academicians from Latin America. This publication includes summaries of 49 presentations that were given orally in Spanish or presented as posters by participants from Colombia, Mexico, and the USA. Topics addressed in the symposium included: surveillance, ecology, chemical and biological control, and insecticide resistance associated with Aedes aegypti; surveillance and control of Anopheles vectors of malaria; and studies of dengue and West Nile viruses, Chagas disease, and Lutzomyia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the northern suburbs of Chicago, stormwater catch basins are the primary source of vector mosquitoes targeted by the local mosquito abatement district, and therefore effective catch basin larvicides are needed. From June to September 2011, NatularTM XRT was applied at label rate to a cluster of 20 catch basins and compared to a cluster of 20 untreated basins all within a small 0.21 km2 area of catch basins known historically to have high levels of mosquitoes. All monitored basins held immature stages of mosquitoes at least once; however, significantly fewer immatures overall were observed from Natular-treated basins than in untreated basins during 14 wk of monitoring. During the study a portion of Natular-treated catch basins was cleaned as part of scheduled maintenance, and this appeared to remove both the larvicide and any control effects. Better timing of catch basin maintenance events is suggested, particularly if, as the results of this study suggest, a single larvicide treatment may be effective for an entire season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determined the behavioral response of Aedes aegypti females to volatile compounds collected in indoor primary school classrooms. Volatiles were collected from classrooms from 0800 through 1030 h and 1130 through 1400 h in urban and rural schools in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. Female responses to volatiles were assessed in a Y-tube olfactometer. Chemical compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis. Volatiles from both schools were attractive when compared against their control. When such volatiles were compared, those from the rural school were more attractive than the ones from the urban school. Chromatographic profiles were similar between schools; however, the rural school showed more compounds. Attraction of Ae. aegypti females toward volatiles of primary school classrooms might increase dengue transmission probabilities in those sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rise in the incidence of mosquito-transmitted Cache Valley virus (CVV) in lambs in 2011 prompted a study to evaluate on-animal pyrethroid insecticides to reduce mosquito attacks on sheep. Using enclosure traps for 1 night per wk for 6 wk, we compared engorgement rates of mosquitoes given the opportunity to feed on untreated sheep and sheep treated with 1 Python® insecticide ear tag (containing 10% zeta-cypermethrin and 20% piperonyl butoxide) per animal or 2 synergized permethrin body spray treatments (containing 2.5% permethrin and 2.5% piperonyl butoxide). During the 6-wk study, 18,920 mosquitoes were collected in the animal-baited enclosure traps. Thirteen species were identified from these collections with the floodwater species Aedes increpitus and Ae. idahoensis making up 68% of the total. Potential CVV vector species, making up 25% of the samples, included Ae. vexans, Ae. dorsalis, Culex tarsalis, and Culiseta inornata. Traps baited with untreated sheep collected 9,701 mosquitoes with 65% of these engorged. Traps baited with sheep treated with Python ear tags or permethrin spray collected 4,034 and 4,555, respectively, with engorgement rates of 23% and 35%. Blood feeding on ear-tagged sheep was significantly reduced by as much as 90% compared to the untreated sheep, and protection lasted 4 wk or longer. Permethrin spray treatments were most effective within 24 h after application and provided better protection against Ae. dorsalis than the Python tag. Effectiveness of the permethrin spray diminished 1 wk after the 2nd application was made. The effect of these treatments appeared to be repellency because negligible mosquito mortality was observed at the time of collection. Further evaluation of these insecticides under conditions of natural exposure to a mosquito-borne pathogen is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to better understand the role a barrier application plays in an integrated mosquito management program, we applied a bifenthrin barrier application to a large golf course community and evaluated the mosquito population, service requests, and money spent for control from our barrier site as well as a site that was only treated via ground ultra-low-volume (ULV) application or that was left as a control site. Both the barrier application (t = 2.63, df = 126, P = 0.0147) and the ground ULV application (t = 2.49, df = 126, P = 0.0054) significantly reduced mosquito populations compared to the control, but means within treatments did not differ from each other. Mosquito populations in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traps were reduced by 84% by barrier application and by 52% by ground ULV application at 6 wk posttreatment compared with untreated control. The 2 major species collected during the evaluation period were Anopheles crucians (81%) and Aedes atlanticus (13%). Anopheles crucians was significantly reduced compared with controls for the barrier application (t = 1.55, df = 126, P = 0.003) and ground ULV application (t = 1.85, df = 126, P = 0.052). Aedes atlanticus was significantly reduced by the barrier application (t = 1.54, df = 128, P = 0.002) but not by ground ULV application (P = 0.083). Overall the barrier application resulted in a significant decrease (χ² = 35.4, df = 1, P < 0.0001) in the number of service requests and ground ULV application (χ² = 5.3, df = 1, P = 0.02) compared to the site that was only treated with ground ULV application. The barrier application saved an estimated $2,700. Thus, large-scale barrier applications are an appropriate tool for control of floodwater mosquito populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using contingent valuation we estimated the perceived value of an area-wide integrated pest management program for the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, implemented in Monmouth and Mercer counties, NJ. We estimated residents' maximum willingness-to-pay and perceived monetary benefits (willingness-to-pay excluding residents who protested all types of payments) and payment modality through a telephone survey of 51 randomly selected households. The mean (± SE) perceived monetary benefits for an enhanced mosquito abatement program was $9.54 ± 2.90 per capita per year. Most respondents would have been willing to pay through taxes (35%) or charitable donations (6%) starting then, or through one of these approaches in the future (43%), whereas 16% were completely unwilling to pay any additional costs whatsoever. We projected that the perceived monetary benefits to the counties' 1.01 million residents for an enhanced mosquito control program would be $9.61 million annually. Thus, collectively residents perceived monetary benefits of 3.67 times the combined 2008 annual operating costs of the counties' existing mosquito control programs of $2.61 million. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the mosquito species and their distribution records for Ubin Island, Singapore, based on our field collections in February 2010, routine adult and larval surveys from 1993 to 2009 by Singapore operational officers, and accessioned specimens deposited in the Environmental Health Institute, Singapore, and the US National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC. A total of 25 species and 6 unidentified species belonging to 9 genera (Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres, Coquillettidia, Culex, Lutzia, Mansonia, Uranotaenia, and Verrallina) were identified and recorded from Ubin Island, based on specimens collected from 1993 to 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new records of Anopheles homunculus in the eastern part of the Atlantic Forest are reported. This species was found for the first time in Barra do Ouro district, Maquiné municipality, Rio Grande do Sul state, located in the southern limit of the Atlantic Forest. The 2nd new record was in the Serra Bonita Reserve, Camacan municipality, southeast Bahia state. These records extend the geographical distribution of An. homunculus, suggesting that the species may be widely distributed in coastal areas of the Atlantic Forest. It is hypothesized that the disjunct distribution of the species may be caused by inadequate sampling, and also difficulties in species identification based only on female external characteristics. Species identification was based on morphological characters of the male, larva, and pupa, and corroborated by DNA sequence analyses, employing data from both 2nd internal transcribed spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA and of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the efficacy of ultra-low volume aerial adulticiding with 2 new water-based, unsynergized formulations of Aqua-K-Othrin (2% deltamethrin) and Pesguard S102 (10% d-phenothrin) against the riceland mosquitoes of Greece. A helicopter with Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation, real-time weather recording, and spray dispersal modeling (AgDISP) was utilized to accurately treat the experimental blocks by adjusting spray line positions to changing meteorological conditions. Two application rates were applied per formulation that corresponded to 0.75 and 1.00 g AI/ha of deltamethrin and 7.50 and 10.00 g AI/ha of d-phenothrin. The mosquitoes used for the trials were the main nuisance species found in rice field areas of Thessaloniki, which were primarily Aedes caspius, followed by Culex modestus and Anopheles sacharovi. Overall mean mortality of caged mosquitoes was 69.2% and 64.8% for deltamethrin and d-phenothrin, respectively. Mean population decrease in wild mosquito populations within the treatment areas was 76.5% and 78% for deltamethrin and d-phenothrin, respectively. The AgDISP dispersal model, coupled with GPS navigation and real-time weather recording, enabled accurate placement of the spray cloud such that the majority of the treatment area received sufficiently high droplet densities to result in uniform caged-mosquito mortality across all sampling sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dr. Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. (1866-1929) was an early-20th-century expert in taxonomy and biology of culicid Diptera. At an early age, Dyar became interested in the biology, life history, and taxonomy of Lepidoptera, which he continued throughout his entire career. Dyar pursued his passion for entomology, and during his formative years, professionals sent Lepidoptera specimens to him for identification. As his prominence was well known to Leland Howard, then the honorary curator of the US National Museum of Natural History, he was asked and accepted the position as honorary custodian of Lepidoptera in 1897, which later included periods of service with the US Department of Agriculture Bureau of Entomology and the US Army Officers' Reserve Corps. This position went without stipend and it was Dyar's personal wealth that allowed him to continue his love of entomology. However, the museum did provide limited staff and funds for illustrators, supplies, and travel. In the early 1900s, his interests expanded to include mosquitoes where he concentrated on their life histories and taxonomy. Throughout his career, Dyar often criticized colleagues, both personally and in publications, often with interludes of peace to coauthor articles and books. His legacy of original scientific work is of lasting significance to public health and entomology communities, in recognition of which he was selected as the 2011 AMCA memorial lecture honoree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 21st Annual Latin American Symposium presented by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) was held as part of the 77th Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA, in March 2011. The principal objective, as for the previous 20 symposia, was to promote participation in the AMCA by vector control specialists, public health workers, and academicians from Latin America. This publication includes summaries of 55 presentations that were given orally in Spanish or presented as posters by participants from 4 countries in Latin America and the USA. Topics addressed in the symposium included: surveillance, chemical and biological control, and insecticide resistance associated with Aedes aegypti; distribution, behavior, and control of Culex; bionomics, ecology, and chemical and biological control of Anopheles vectors of malaria; insecticide resistance; and studies of dengue, West Nile virus, and Triatoma spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larvicidal activity and repellency of 5 plant essential oils—thyme oil, catnip oil, amyris oil, eucalyptus oil, and cinnamon oil—were tested against 3 mosquito species: Aedes albopictus, Ae. aegypti, and Culex pipiens pallens. Larvicidal activity of these essentials oils was evaluated in the laboratory against 4th instars of each of the 3 mosquito species, and amyris oil demonstrated the greatest inhibitory effect with LC50 values in 24 h of 58 µg/ml (LC90 = 72 µg/ml) for Ae. aegypti, 78 µg/ml (LC90 = 130 µg/ml) for Ae. albopictus, and 77 µg/ml (LC90 = 123 mg/ml) for Cx. p. pallens. The topical repellency of these selected essential oils and deet against laboratory-reared female blood-starved Ae. albopictus was examined. Catnip oil seemed to be the most effective and provided 6-h protection at both concentrations tested (23 and 468 µg/cm2). Thyme oil had the highest effectiveness in repelling this species, but the repellency duration was only 2 h. The applications using these natural product essential oils in mosquito control are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larva of Culex salinarius is completely described and illustrated, except for the mouth parts, and compared with the morphologically similar larva of Cx. nigripalpus. At least 8 characters have been found to separate larvae of the two species of which 7 give 90% or higher divergence while the remaining character gives 87% separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mosquito larvicide methoprene is a juvenile growth hormone mimic that is widely used to control mosquitoes. This chemical disrupts normal mosquito development, drastically inhibiting emergence from the pupal to the adult stage. If the presence of methoprene attracts or deters mosquitoes from ovipositing it could have implications for mosquito control. This study evaluates whether methoprene attracts or deters mosquitoes likely to oviposit in catch basins. In a field experiment, methoprene formulated as liquid larvicide did not affect oviposition of either Culex spp. or Aedes japonicus in 19-l plastic buckets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the efficacy of methoprene, a widely used juvenile hormone mimic, formulated as 30-day slow release Altosid® pellets, at controlling mosquitoes in underground storm water drainage catch basins. Data from applications to ¼-sized cement catch basins in the laboratory, field observations from treated and untreated basins, and an experiment that confined mosquito larvae in floating emergence jars in catch basins showed that methoprene effectively controlled mosquitoes for a month under field conditions and substantially longer under laboratory conditions when applied at a dose of 3.5-g pellets per average-sized catch basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first description of 3rd and 4th instars of Anopheles (Cellia) carnevalei. Adults were caught in the mainland region (Rio Muni) of Equatorial Guinea. Larvae present characteristic palmate setae different from Anopheles nili. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diethyl methyl benzamide or deet, a commercial plant-based repellent (Repel Caret), and essential oils from 3 species of plants (finger root rhizomes, guava leaves, and turmeric rhizomes), steam distillated and formulated as insect repellents, were evaluated in the field on human volunteers against hematophagous mosquitoes, black flies, and land leeches in Thailand. Field trials were conducted against wild mosquitoes in Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province, and in the Thap Lan National Park Headquarters, Nadee District, Prachinburi Province; anthropophilic black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) at the Forestry Fire Control Station in Doi Inthanon National Park, Chomthong District, Chiang Mai Province; and land leeches (Arhynchobdellida: Haemadipsidae) in the Khao Yai National Park, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The 3 experimental plant-based essential oil formulations as well as Repel Care and deet provided complete protection from mosquito landing and biting for up to 9 h (duration of the experiment). Similar results were obtained with the 5 products against black flies, providing 100% protection for 9 h but 96-82% protection after 10 and 11 h posttreatment. The 5 repellent products also provided 100% protection against land leeches for at least 8 h. This is the 1st report of repellency of plant-based repellents against black flies and land leeches in Thailand. The identification and availability of inexpensive sources of plant-based oils, i.e., finger root rhizomes, guava leaves, and turmeric rhizomes providing long-lasting repellency against blood-sucking organisms are promising leads into commercial production of relatively safe and effective repellents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we compared the efficacy of the newly available BG-Sentinel with an established "gold standard," the CDC Backpack Aspirator, and a CO2-baited EVS trap for the collection of Aedes aegypti (L.) in Cairns, Australia. BG-Sentinels collected significantly more (P = 0.017) female Ae. aegypti (mean per collection, 1.92 ± 0.39) than both the CDC Backpack Aspirator (1.00 ± 0.35) and the EVS trap (0.71 ± 0.27). Male-only and combined male-female Ae. aegypti collections for the BG-Sentinel and the CDC Backpack Aspirator were also greater than EVS trap collections. The CDC Backpack Aspirator and the BG-Sentinel captured proportionally fewer females compared with the EVS trap. The BG-Sentinel was the most Ae. Aegypti-specific collection method. The CDC Backpack Aspirator collected proportionally more bloodfed Ae. aegypti than the other methods, which collected a greater proportion of nullipars. The data presented here will aid researchers in deciding what Ae. aegypti sampling device best suits their needs. BG-Sentinels and CDC Backpack Aspirators should be considered as alternatives to human-bait collections for Ae. aegypti sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]