Mosquito Capture Rate Using CO2-Baited Traps in Relation to Distance From Water and Height: Implications for Avian Disease Transmission
Accumulating evidence suggests that enzootic transmission of pathogens such as West Nile virus (WNV) by mosquitoes is governed by host-bird interactions, including mosquito preferences for specific species and developmental stages of host birds, host bird availability, and host defensive behavior. Here, we examined how the attack rate of five mosquito species in southern California was influenced by the position of CO2-baited traps in relation to distance from water and trap height. We identified 44,207 female mosquitoes representing five species: Aedes vexans Meigen, Anopheles franciscanus McCracken, Anopheles hermsi Barr...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Eshun, O., Gerry, A., Hayes, W. K. Tags: Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal Source Type: research
Protein Self-Marking by Ectoparasites: A Case Study Using Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)
The ability to mark individuals is a critical feature of many entomological investigations, including dispersal studies. Insect dispersal is generally investigated using mark–release–recapture techniques, whereby marked individuals are released at a known location and then captured at a measured distance. Ectoparasite dispersal has historically been challenging to study, in part because of the ethical concerns associated with releasing marked individuals. Here, we introduce the protein self-marking technique, whereby ectoparasites mark themselves in the field by feeding on the blood of an introduced host. We de...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Sivakoff, F. S., Jones, S. C., Machtley, S. A., Hagler, J. R. Tags: Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal Source Type: research
The Arrival of the Northern House Mosquito Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) on Newfoundlands Avalon Peninsula
Culex pipiens L., the northern house mosquito, is the primary vector of West Nile virus to humans along the east coast of North America and thus the focus of much study. This species is an urban container-breeding mosquito whose close contact with humans and flexibility in host choice has led to its classification as a "bridge vector"; that is, it is thought to move zoonotic diseases to humans from vertebrate reservoirs. While this invasive species is now well documented in its established range, which expanded in 2001 to include Canada, the existence of populations of this species along the fringes of its range are less w...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Chaulk, A. C., Carson, K. P., Whitney, H. G., Fonseca, D. M., Chapman, T. W. Tags: Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal Source Type: research
Composition and Genetic Diversity of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) on Islands and Mainland Shores of Kenyas Lakes Victoria and Baringo
The Lake Baringo and Lake Victoria regions of Kenya are associated with high seroprevalence of mosquito-transmitted arboviruses. However, molecular identification of potential mosquito vector species, including morphologically identified ones, remains scarce. To estimate the diversity, abundance, and distribution of mosquito vectors on the mainland shores and adjacent inhabited islands in these regions, we collected and morphologically identified adult and immature mosquitoes and obtained the corresponding sequence variation at cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) and internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) gene regions. A tot...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Ajamma, Y. U., Villinger, J., Omondi, D., Salifu, D., Onchuru, T. O., Njoroge, L., Muigai, A. W. T., Masiga, D. K. Tags: Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal Source Type: research
Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) From the Northwestern Brazilian Amazon: Padauari River
The mosquito fauna (Culicidae) from remote northern areas of the State of Amazonas were sampled using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Shannon, Malaise, and Suspended traps, together with net sweeping and immature collections. One hundred and seven collections were performed in five localities along the Padauari River, State of Amazonas, Brazil, during June 2010. The 20,557 mosquitoes collected are distributed in 17 genera, representing 117 different species, of which four are new distributional records for the State of Amazonas. Furthermore, there are 10 morphospecies that may represent undescribed new taxa, ei...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Hutchings, R. S. G., Hutchings, R. W., Menezes, I. S., Motta, M. d. A., Sallum, M. A. M. Tags: Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal Source Type: research
Seasonal, Locality, and Habitat Variation in Assemblages of Carrion-Associated Diptera in Gauteng Province, South Africa
Seasonal, spatial, and habitat responses of carrion-associated Diptera assemblages can provide valuable information about the presence or absence of species and their relative abundance, and thereby enhance understanding of their responses to environmental variables and how this may have an impact on forensic investigations. Three different nature reserves (localities) within the Municipality of Tshwane, South Africa, were selected to determine whether species assemblages of carrion-feeding flies differ between seasons, localities, and habitat types. A total of 59,511 adult Diptera, identified to 35 species in eight differ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Parry, N. J., Mansell, M. W., Weldon, C. W. Tags: Population and Community Ecology Source Type: research
First Records of the Syringophilid Mites (Acariformes: Prostigmata) Parasitizing Ibises and Spoonbills (Pelecaniformes: Threskiornithidae), With Description of Four New Species
The parasitic quill mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) are recorded on ibises and spoonbills (Pelecaniformes: Threskiornithidae) for the first time. Four new species of the genus Stibarokris Kethley, 1970 are described: 1) S. theristicus Skoracki, Zmudzinski & Unsoeld sp. nov. ex Theristicus caudatus (Boddaert, 1783) from Brazil, 2) S. geronticus Skoracki, Zmudzinski & Unsoeld sp. nov. ex Geronticus calvus (Boddaert, 1783) from South Africa, 3) S. brevisetosus Skoracki & Zmudzinski sp. nov. ex Plegadis falcinellus (L., 1766) from Turkey, and 4) S. plataleus Skoracki & Zmudzinski ...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Skoracki, M., Zmudzinski, M., Unsoeld, M., Sikora, B. Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
Revalidation of Nyssomyia fraihai (Martins, Falcao & Silva 1979) (Diptera: Psychodidae)
In this study, the morphometric/morphologic characters of specimens that had been identified as Ny. yuilli yuilli from different localities (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia) and type material of both Ny. yuilli yuilli and Lu. fraihai were analyzed. The results revealed that males from Brazil (Bahia, Acre, Pará, and Rondônia states) and Peru present statistically significant differences in the ratio between paramere rectangular and digitiform areas as well as for the cercus length and width of the aedeagal ducts tips, when compared with the type specimens of Ny. yuilli yuilli, but are statistically similar to t...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Godoy, R. E., Galati, E. A. B. Tags: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution Source Type: research
A Density Map of the Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Lyme Borreliosis Vector Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) for Germany
The castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus (L.) is the principal vector for a variety of viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens causing a growing public-health issue over the past decades. However, a national density map of I. ricinus is still missing. Here, I. ricinus nymphs in Germany were investigated by compiling a high-resolution map depicting the mean annually accumulated nymphal density, as observed by monthly flagging an area of 100 m2. Input data comprise ticks collected at 69 sampling sites. The model domain covers an area of about 357,000 km2 (regional scale). Two negative binomial regression models were fitted to t...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Brugger, K., Boehnke, D., Petney, T., Dobler, G., Pfeffer, M., Silaghi, C., Schaub, G. A., Pinior, B., Dautel, H., Kahl, O., Pfister, K., Süss, J., Rubel, F. Tags: Modeling/GIS, Risk Assessment, Economic Impact Source Type: research
Action of Ants on Vertebrate Carcasses and Blow Flies (Calliphoridae)
Forensic entomology is a science that uses insect fauna as a tool to assist in criminal investigations and civil proceedings. Although the most researched insects are the Diptera and Coleoptera, ants may be present in all stages of decomposition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ants and their action on blow flies during the decomposition process. Experiments were performed in which four pig carcasses were exposed in the cold and dry season (November/2012 and March/2013) and four in the hot and wet season (May/2013 and August/2013). Flies were the first insects to detect and interact with the carcasses, an...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Paula, M. C., Morishita, G. M., Cavarson, C. H., Goncalves, C. R., Tavares, P. R. A., Mendonca, A., Suarez, Y. R., Antonialli-Junior, W. F. Tags: Direct Injury, Myiasis, Forensics Source Type: research
First Report of Necrophagous Insects on Human Corpses in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Necrophagous species of insects provide useful complementary data to estimate the postmortem interval in forensic cases. Here, for the first time, we report on insect specimens collected from human corpses in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the study, 14 beetle larvae were collected from the outdoor corpse (case report one) and five flies and seven beetles were collected from the indoor corpse (case report two). Sequencing was performed to study the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as the prospective basis of an identification technique. The sequencing focused on a section of the cytochrome oxidase I encoding region of mt...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Alajmi, R. A., AlGhufaili, H., Farrukh, A., Aljohani, H., Mashaly, A. M. A. Tags: Direct Injury, Myiasis, Forensics Source Type: research
Evaluating the Biological Cycle and Reproductive and Population Parameters of Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Reared on Three Different Diets
This work was aimed at evaluating Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) life cycle, life tables, and reproductive and population parameters. This species is a necrophagous, synanthropic, cosmopolitan fly with broad distribution in the Neotropical region. Six successive generations from adult specimens collected in Bogotá, Colombia, were analyzed in laboratory conditions. The fly’s life cycle was evaluated, using a natural diet of pig’s liver (L) and two artificial diets—milk powder and egg (ME) and powdered liver (PL). The species’ longest life cycle duration (in days),...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Perez, C., Segura, N. A., Patarroyo, M. A., Bello, F. J. Tags: Development, Life History Source Type: research
Presence of Putative Male-Produced Sex Pheromone in Lutzomyia cruciata (Diptera: Psychodidae), Vector of Leishmania mexicana
In this study, we evaluated the behavioral response of females to male abdominal extracts in a Y-tube olfactometer. The volatile compounds from male abdominal extracts were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and compared with those of female abdominal extracts. Finally, the disseminating structures of the putative sex pheromone were examined by scanning electron microscopy in the male abdomen. Females were more attracted to male abdominal extract than to the hexane control, suggesting the presence of male-produced sex pheromone. The male abdominal extracts were characterized by the presence of 12 sesq...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Serrano, A. K., Rojas, J. C., Cruz-Lopez, L. C., Malo, E. A., Mikery, O. F., Castillo, A. Tags: Behavior, Chemical Ecology Source Type: research
Effect of Amblyomma maculatum (Acari: Ixodidae) Saliva on the Acute Cutaneous Immune Response to Rickettsia parkeri Infection in a Murine Model
Rickettsia parkeri Luckman (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) is a pathogenic spotted fever group Rickettsia transmitted by Amblyomma maculatum Koch (Acari: Ixodidae) in the United States. The acute innate immune response to this pathogen and the effect of tick feeding or salivary components on this response is largely unknown. We hypothesized that A. maculatum saliva enhances R. parkeri infection via downregulation of the acute cellular and cytokine immune response. C3H/HeN mice were intradermally inoculated with R. parkeri both with and without A. maculatum saliva. Flow cytometry and microscopic evaluation of inoculation si...
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Banajee, K. H., Verhoeve, V. I., Harris, E. K., Macaluso, K. R. Tags: Arthropod/Host Interaction, Immunity Source Type: research
Resolving Confusion in the Use of Concepts and Terminology in Intrapuparial Development Studies of Cyclorrhaphous Diptera
(Source: Journal of Medical Entomology)
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - November 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Martin-Vega, D., Hall, M. J. R., Simonsen, T. J. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
