The nemertide toxins from the phylum Nemertea are a little researched family of neurotoxins with potential for development as biopesticides. Here we report recombinant production α-1 (α-1), 65-residue inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) peptide Lineus longissimus, known to target insect voltage-gated sodium channels. insecticidal activity was assessed and compared well characterised ICK venom peptide,...

Two brothers with visceral larva migrans caused by Trichuris vulpis were diagnosed after they had been investigated for an eosinophilia. Both patients were almost asymptomatic. The diagnosis of visceral larva migrans was based on the results of immunoelectrophoretic studies and no liver biopsy was performed. After administration of thiabendazole, the number of eosinophils and serum total IgE le...

Immatures of Mesomphalia gibbosa (Fabricius, 1781) and Mesomphalia turrita (Illiger, 1801) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae, Mesomphaliini) are described based on specimen collections from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The last-instar larva and pupal exuviae of M. gibbosa (Fabricius, 1781) and the eggs, first-instar larva, and pupa of M. turrita (Illiger, 1801) are described, photographed...

The fourth instar larva and pupa of Bezzia blantoni Spinelli & Wirth (1989) are described, illustrated and photomicrographed by using phase-contrast microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The larva, which shows features typical to carnivorous larvae, is compared with that of B. roldani Spinelli & Wirth. The species is recorded for the first time from the Martín García island, locate...

The fourth instar larva and pupa of Culicoides debilipalpis Lutz, 1913 are described, illustrated, and photomicrographed from material collected in tree-holes of Salix sp. in Entre Rios Province, Argentina by using binocular, phase-contrast, and scanning electron microscopy. Measurements of instars I–IV are also presented. The larva shows features typical to carnivorous-predatory larvae, as wel...

Cutaneous larva migrans caused by the larvae of animal hookworms is the most frequent skin disease among travelers returning from tropical countries. Complications (impetigo and allergic reactions), together with the intense pruritus and the significant duration of the disease, make treatment mandatory. Freezing the leading edge of the skin track rarely works. Topical treatment of the affected ...

A forensic entomological study was conducted using monkey carcasses (Macaca fascicularis Raffles) that were placed in either an outdoor or indoor environment at a coastal area in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia during May until August 2008. We collected pupae of Chrysomya rufifacies (Marquart) from the carcasses and kept them individually. The emergence of 13 parasitic microhymenopteran, from...

Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) could infect many economic fish species and cause the fish nervous tissue necrosis vacuolization in histopathology. Once the fish is infected with NNV, 80-100% mortality will occour in grouper breeding farm. However, the immune system does not develop completely in grouper larva. Therefore, the traditional vaccine may not be effective during larva stage. This study ...

The susceptibility of Aedes aegypti to Ascogregarina culicis and Aedes albopictus to Ascogregarina taiwanensis was examined with mosquito and parasite strains from Tampa, FL. When each host was bioassayed with its natural gregarine, the infection intensity indicated that Ae. aegypti was 59% more susceptible to A. culicis (87 gamonts/larva) than Ae. albopictus to A. taiwanensis (47 gamonts/larva...

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) atacamensis, a new species in the subgenus Nyssorhynchus, is described and validated using morphological characters of the male and female adult, male genitalia and immature stages. Molecular characterization employing sequences of the ITS2 rDNA and COI mtDNA are provided. The new taxon is compared with Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) pictipennis (Philippi) from central Chil...