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We describe a simple trap modification for testing volatile attractants to collect flying mosquitoes. The trap uses a standard Centers for Disease Control and Prevention trap modified for release of test chemicals. Test chemicals and other materials can be added and removed easily without spills or cross contamination. In preliminary studies using lactic acid and octenol, modified traps collected 40% more mosquitoes than controls (n = 164 and n = 117, respectively). Modifications cost less than $2.00 per trap.

An inexpensive mosquito rearing chamber for field, laboratory, and classroom investigations is described. The rearing chamber is made from plastics recycled from peanut butter jars and room deodorizers. The top of the chamber requires mesh material and gluing. The cost for the rearing chamber is negligible. The design of the chamber allows for direct field collecting of larvae and for easy knock down/cold storage of emerged adults. In addition to its use in field and laboratory investigations, the chamber is an excellent device for classroom study of insect metamorphosis.

Changes in DNA, RNA, total lipids, phospholipids, and proteins and the activity of certain enzymes and pattern of their isozymes were studied in Hyalomma dromedarii Koch during embryogenesis. Total proteins fluctuated with a net increase (P less than 0.05) on day 20. Total lipids increased during the first half of embryogenesis and then declined with a net decrease to about 60% of the original level. Total phospholipids decreased to half this original level. DNA content increased greatly during cleavage, gastrulation, and organogeny and RNA increased during cleavage and blastula formation. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity decreased (P less than 0.05), reaching 20% of its original level on day 12. Malic acid dehydrogenase (MDH) activity remained nearly unchanged throughout embryogenesis. Lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) activity increased greatly, with the highest level on day 14 with no further change. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity increased greatly during the first 12 d, with no significant change thereafter. Acid (ACP) and alkaline (ALP) phosphatase activity increased during the first 12 d and declined returning to the original level on day 20. Seven AchE and 5 LDH isozymes were detected during different embryogenesis stages. Two MDH, 2 ACP, 1 ALP, and 2 G6PDH isozymes were detected throughout embryogenesis. Treating the mother with 20-hydroxyecdysone was associated with increases in protein and RNA contents and G6PDH and AchE activity and with decreases in ACP and ALP activity in the embryos.

During the period from October 1982 to July 1985 cutaneous leishmaniasis was diagnosed in 113 Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) soldiers from various nations, East Sinai. Leishmania was isolated from twelve of these patients and maintained in vitro using Tanabe's medium. Intrasplenic inoculation of promastigotes from isolate cultures into hamsters resulted in dissemination patterns typical of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The excreted factor in culture when serotyped against known marker strains indicated subserotype A1B2. They also exhibited similar banding patterns to L. major L-137 for GPI, G 6-PD, MDH, NH, MPI, PGM and variant B for 6-PGDH. This leishmaniasis focus appears epidemiologically similar to that of nearby Mid Western Negev where transmission involves Phlebotomus papatasi, Psammomys, and Meriones.

The biochemical effects of juvenile hormone III (JH III) on developing embryos from treated female Argas (Persicargas) arboreus Kaiser, Hoogstraal and Kohls were examined. Exogenous JH III resulted in a decrease in total proteins (P less than 0.001) only during the first 2 d of embryogenesis. There was no significant difference (P greater than 0.05) between RNA and DNA content in eggs from control and JH III-treated females. No significant difference (P greater than 0.05) was observed between control and JH III eggs in their lipid or phospholipid contents throughout embryogenesis. A total of 14-17 protein bands and 6-8 glycoprotein bands were separated by electrophoresis during embryogenesis of A. arboreus with some differences in mobility ratio between bands from control and JH III eggs. Differences in activity and isozyme patterns of malic acid, lactic acid, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase were not observed during embryogenesis of control and JH III-treated A. arboreus. Differences were observed in esterase activity.