Toxicity and Larvicidal Activity of Podophyllum-Based Lignans Against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
This study had the aim of evaluating the larvicidal activity of an ethanolic extract from the rhizomes and roots of Podophyllum hexandrum (PM-3) and its isolated lignans, podophyllotoxone (1) and desoxypodophyllotoxin (2), on the larvae of the mosquito vector Ae. aegypti. The PM-3 extract and the compounds (1) and (2) were dissolved in a mixture of acetone and dimethylsulfoxide at final concentrations of 1, 10, 30, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml. After dilution, the solutions were applied (μg/ml) to the larvae-rearing medium. Overall, the ethanolic extract from the rhizomes and roots of P. hexandrum and the compounds (1) and...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Maleck, M., Hollanda, P. d. O., Serdeiro, M. T., Soares, R. O. d. A., Honorio, N. A., Silva, C. G. Tags: Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents Source Type: research
Evaluation of Clove Oil, Icaridin, and Transfluthrin for Spatial Repellent Effects in Three Tests Systems Against the Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
One essential oil (clove oil), one skin repellent (icaridin), and one insecticide (transfluthrin) were tested for spatial repellent effects against non-blood-fed female Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquitoes. The compounds were tested in acetone dilution series using a Y-olfactometer, a double cage system, and a double room system. All compounds exhibited spatial repellent effects at certain concentrations. Clove oil required relative high dosages to cause high effects (Y-olfactometer 6 mg, double cage 60 mg, and double room 1,200 mg). The dosages to achieve comparable results with icaridin were lower (Y-olfactometer and double cag...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Nentwig, G., Frohberger, S., Sonneck, R. Tags: Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents Source Type: research
Development of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae Under Different Laboratory Conditions
In this study, several life history traits of Ae. albopictus were analyzed to identify upper and lower thresholds of larval density and diet concentration. Survival to pupation, time to pupation, and sex ratio were evaluated under a range of larval densities (0.5–5 larvae/ml) and food levels (0.05–1.6 mg/larva/d) using two larval diets (one locally developed; one developed by the FAO/IAEA). The larvae reared at 28 °C, at a density of 2 larvae/ml and receiving a food dose equal to 0.6 mg/larva/d of a diet consisting of 50% tuna meal, 50% bovine liver powder (the FAO/IAEA diet), and, as an additive, 0.2 g of ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Puggioli, A., Carrieri, M., Dindo, M. L., Medici, A., Lees, R. S., Gilles, J. R. L., Bellini, R. Tags: Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents Source Type: research
Amblyomma auricularium (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in Florida: New Hosts and Distribution Records
Previous published evidence for the occurrence of an exotic armadillo tick, Amblyomma auricularium (Conil), in Florida is scant, but we found it is fully established and integrated into the state’s tick fauna. We collected 11,192 specimens of this tick from naturalized nine-banded armadillos, Dasypus novemcinctus L., and 14 other species of wild native mammals and birds in Florida, while sampling statewide during 2004 through 2007. In all, we document its specific presence only in 14 contiguous South Florida counties. Moreover, we report the first collections of A. auricularium from the Virginia opossum (Didelphis vi...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Mertins, J. W., Vigil, S. L., Corn, J. L. Tags: Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal Source Type: research
Host-Seeking Phenology of Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) Nymphs in Northwestern California in Relation to Calendar Week, Woodland Type, and Weather Conditions
Local knowledge of when humans are at elevated risk for exposure to tick vectors of human disease agents is required both for the effective use of personal protection measures to avoid tick bites and for implementation of control measures to suppress host-seeking ticks. Here, we used previously published data on the seasonal density of host-seeking Ixodes pacificus Cooley and Kohls nymphs, the primary vectors of Lyme disease spirochetes in the far western USA, collected across a broad habitat and climate gradient in northwestern California to identify predictors of periods of time within the year when questing nymphal dens...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Eisen, R. J., Clark, R. J., Monaghan, A. J., Eisen, L., Delorey, M. J., Beard, C. B. Tags: Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal Source Type: research
Nycthemeral Rhythm of Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a Craggy Region, Transitioning Between the Wetland and the Plateau, Brazil
Recording the nycthemeral rhythm of sand flies allows the evaluation of the daily activity in different ecotypes, the period of greatest activity, and their degree of anthropophily. We investigated the fauna and the rhythm of sand fly activity in an ecotourism region in Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) state, Brazil. Sand flies were captured monthly, using a Shannon trap for 24 h periods between July 2012 and June 2014. We collected 1,815 sand flies, in which Lutzomyia whitmani (=Nyssomyia whitmani, sensu Galati) and Lutzomyia longipalpis were the most abundant species during the dry season, with activity from 5 p.m.–7 a.m. a...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Infran, J. O. M., Souza, D. A., Fernandes, W. S., Casaril, A. E., Eguchi, G. U., Oshiro, E. T., Fernandes, C. E. S., Paranhos Filho, A. C., Oliveira, A. G. Tags: Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal Source Type: research
Egg Hatching and Survival of Immature Stages of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Under Natural Temperature Conditions During the Cold Season in Buenos Aires, Argentina
In temperate regions, the seasonal dynamics of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is mainly influenced by temperature. It is assumed that, during the winter season, the population remains as eggs and that the development and population growth of surviving eggs begin during the following spring. The aim of the current study was to assess egg hatching of Ae. aegypti during the winter in Buenos Aires city (Argentina), and analyze the survival of immature stages. The experiments consisted of immersing eggs and studying the development of immature stages of cohorts from June and September under natural temperature conditio...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: De Majo, M. S., Montini, P., Fischer, S. Tags: Population and Community Ecology Source Type: research
Photoperiod Differences in Sand Fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) Species Richness and Abundance in Caves in Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Caves are unique habitats that are inhabited by a diverse and singular biota. Among these inhabitants are sand flies, which are of great epidemiological interest in the Neotropical region because they are vectors of Leishmania. The period of activity of these insects is usually crepuscular and nocturnal, but there are reports of diurnal activity of sand flies in caves. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the periodicity of daily activity of sand flies in cave environments in the municipality of Pains, Minas Gerais. Sand flies were collected with light traps, which were operated for 5 consecutive days in the rainy s...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Campos, A. M., Dos Santos, C. L. C., Stumpp, R., Da Silva, L. H. D., Maia, R. A., Paglia, A. P., Andrade Filho, J. D. Tags: Population and Community Ecology Source Type: research
Simulium maleewongae, a New Species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) From Thailand
Simulium (Gomphostilbia) maleewongae sp. nov. is described based on the adult males and females, their pupal exuviae, and larvae from Thailand. This new species is placed in the Simulium gombakense species-group of Simulium (Gomphostilbia). It is characterized by the female cibarium with a cup-like appendage, male ventral plate deeply depressed ventromedially, pupal gill composed of an inflated structure and eight slender filaments, cone-shaped pupal terminal hooks, and cocoon with an anterodorsal projection. Taxonomic notes are given to separate this new species from 10 other species of the same species-group known from C...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Takaoka, H., Srisuka, W., Saeung, A. Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
Description of Blankaartia shatrovi n. sp. (Acari: Trombiculidae) From Brazil
The chigger mite genus Blankaartia includes 28 known species, of which 10 are distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. These species preferentially parasitize birds, but occasionally they can also be found on rodents, bats, and reptiles, showing low host selectivity. In the present study, we report the presence of this genus in Brazil for the first time, including the first report of Blankaartia sinnamaryi (Floch and Fauran) and the description of a new species of Blankaartia collected from birds (Order Passeriformes). (Source: Journal of Medical Entomology)
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Bassini-Silva, R., Jacinavicius, F. C., Mendoza-Roldan, J. A., Daemon, E., Barros-Battesti, D. M. Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
A New Species of Sand Fly, Psathyromyia elizabethdorvalae sp. n. (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), From Brazil
A new species of phlebotomine sand fly, Psathyromyia elizabethdorvalae sp. n. Brilhante, Sábio & Galati from Xapuri, Acre state, Brazil, is described, with illustrations of male and female adults. (Source: Journal of Medical Entomology)
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Brilhante, A. F., Sabio, P. B., Galati, E. A. B. Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
Taxonomic Revision of Lipoptilocnema (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), With Notes on Natural History and Forensic Importance of Its Species
Lipoptilocnema Townsend is a small genus of Neotropical Sarcophaginae with a distinctive genitalic morphology. This genus is revised based on the examination of the type series and large numbers of specimens of the seven previously known species, plus three new ones herein described, one from Argentina (L. delfinado Mulieri and Mello-Patiu, sp. nov.), and two from Brazil (L. savana Mulieri and Mello-Patiu, sp. nov. and L. tibanae Mulieri and Mello-Patiu, sp. nov.). All species are described or redescribed and illustrated. Distribution maps and a key for male identification are provided. The taxonomic position of this genus...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Mulieri, P. R., Mello-Patiu, C. A., Aballay, F. H. Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
Chromosome Painting in Triatomine Insects Reveals Shared Sequences Between X Chromosomes and Autosomes
In order to provide a broad picture on the origin and evolution of holocentric X chromosomes in heteropteran species, we prepared a sex chromosome painting probe by microdissection of the X1 and X2 chromosomes from a kissing bug Mepraia spinolai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae). Fluorescence in situ hybridization on four species of the Triatomini having different amounts of autosomal heterochromatin and sex chromosome systems show that the Xs probe hybridizes on the euchromatin, located both on autosomes and X chromosomes. The heterochromatic Y chromosome and autosomal heterochromatic regions always appear free of hybr...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Pita, S., Panzera, F., Sanchez, A., Palomeque, T., Lorite, P. Tags: Molecular Biology/Genomics Source Type: research
Spatial Distribution of Phlebotomine Sand Fly Species (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Qom Province, Central Iran
Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is transmitted to humans by phlebotomine sand fly bites. ZCL is a major health problem in Iran, where basic knowledge gaps about sand fly species diversity persist in some ZCL-endemic areas. This paper describes the richness and spatial distribution of sand fly species, collected with sticky traps, in Qom province, a ZCL-endemic area in central Iran, where sand fly fauna has been poorly studied. Collected species were mapped on urban and rural digital maps based on a scale of 1/50,000. All analyses were undertaken with rural- and urban-level precision, i.e., rural and urban levels wer...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Saghafipour, A., Vatandoost, H., Zahraei-Ramazani, A. R., Yaghoobi-Ershadi, M. R., Rassi, Y., Shirzadi, M. R., Akhavan, A. A. Tags: Modeling/GIS, Risk Assessment, Economic Impact Source Type: research
Volume of Larvae Is the Most Important Single Predictor of Mass Temperatures in the Forensically Important Calliphorid, Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Calliphorid species form larval aggregations that are capable of generating heat above ambient temperature. We wanted to determine the relationship between volume, number of larvae, and different combinations of instars on larval mass heat generation. We compared different numbers of Chrysomya megacephala (F.) larvae (40, 100, 250, 600, and 2,000), and different combinations of instars (~50/50 first and second instars, 100% second instars, ~50/50 second and third instars, and 100% third instars) at two different ambient temperatures (20 and 30 °C). We compared 13 candidate multiple regression models that were fitted to...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - January 11, 2017 Category: Biology Authors: Gruner, S. V., Slone, D. H., Capinera, J. L., Turco, M. P. Tags: Direct Injury, Myiasis, Forensics Source Type: research
