BACKGROUND In Sri Lanka, the major malaria vector Anopheles culicifacies breeds in pools formed in streams and river beds and it is likely that people living close to such breeding sites are at higher risk of malaria than people living further away. This study was done to quantify the importance of house location relative to vector breeding sites for the occurrence of malaria in order to assess...

We conducted mosquito surveillance at outdoor breeding habitat in 459 households at 7 urban locations in Putrajaya, Malaysia from January to December 2010 to determine the predominant species and breeding locations. The most common species found at all locations was Aedes albopictus. Gardening utensils were the most common breeding sites. Of the 1,885 mosquito larvae specimens found, 1,774 (94....

A study was made of the oviposit behavior of gravid female Aedes mosquitos in man-made habitats under field conditions. The study showed that the gravid female Aedes mosquitos preferred containers with relatively easy access but not too open to external environmental influence. The dark surface of the containers served as the initial and long-range attractant to the breeding sites. Volatile che...

Population interaction of Toxorhynchites splendens and Aedes aegypti in relation to the complexity of the breeding habitats and their initial number was studied in the laboratory. The predator and the prey were introduced in different ratios in the colony cages (1 m3) with different oviposition structures. Predator-prey interaction lasted for 5-9 weeks without structural complexity of the ovipo...

We describe the discovery of Aedes aegypti underground breeding site in the Pinheiros neighborhood of São Paulo, SP, during an entomological survey program performed in 2016. Even with intense surveillance and vector control, large numbers of mosquitoes were present in this area. A detailed investigation allowed for the detection of Ae. aegypti in an underground reservoir used for rainwater sto...

Larvivorous copepods (Macrocyclops, Mesocyclops and Acanthocyclops) were tested for their sensitivities to commonly used mosquito larvicides and adulticides. The cyclopoids were not harmed by Bacillus thuringiensis (H-14) (B.t.i.) or larviciding oil. Control of mosquito larvae in field trials was accelerated by applying B.t.i. at the same time cyclopoids were introduced to a breeding site. Amon...

Chemical cues play an important role in predator-prey interactions in aquatic environments (e.g., Petranka et al. 1987, Dodson et al. 1994, Wisenden 2000). Predator-released kairomones may induce morphological changes in prey (e.g., Laurila et al. 2004, Von-Bert and Stibor 2006), foraging changes by prey (e.g., McCarthy and Dickey 2002, Turner and Montgomery 2003), and behavioral responses of g...

A review is presented of the relationships between the so-called emerging infectious diseases and what may be defined as emerging vectors. These include not only those that have recently appeared but also those that present remarkable behavioral changes. Specific factors leading to that emergence can be associated with the powerful human influence on the environment. So the man-made, i.e. anthr...

The invasive oriental mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) was detected on Bioko Island for the first time in November 2001. It was found to be well established breeding in artificial containers at Planta, near Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea. Associated species of mosquito larvae were Aedes aegypti (L.), Ae. africanus (Theobald), Culex near decens Theobal...

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito borne zoonotic disease caused by JE virus (JEV). JE has been endemic in Terai region, the lowland plains of Nepal bordering India, since 1978. However, in recent years cases of JE has been continuously reported from high altitude zones of hills and mountains. Irrigated rice farming system, expanded pig husbandry practices, inadequate vaccine coverage, lo...