First record of Triatoma longipennis, Usinger, 1939 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) in Tecozautla, Hidalgo

ABSTRACT Background: We report the presence of Triatoma longipennis for the first time in two localities in Hidalgo, Mexico. Methods: This study was conducted at Tecozautla municipality, Hidalgo. Collection was performed in April 2022. Results: We collected eight triatomines from Guadalupe: two fourth-instar nymphs, three fifth-instar nymphs, one female, and two males. In San Miguel Caltepantla, a female was collected inside a dwelling. One sample tested positive for Trypanosoma cruzi. Conclusions: These findings suggest the need to investigate the dynamics of this species with respect to the inhabitants of the study area.

Management of house fly, Musca domestica L. (Muscidae: Diptera), through botanical baits

ABSTRACT The house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is a major pest of all aspects of life, like the domestic, medical and veterinary and causal agent of several pathogenic diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of different insecticide-free baits against house fly by incorporating flower methanol extract of Helianthus annuus (sunflower) and Tegetes erecta (marigold) at 10%, 20% and 30% bait formulation of corn syrup, dried milk and water. However, imidacloprid and thiacloprid (each at 5% concentration) were also included in the study for comparison. Results showed that insecticide baits were superior in causing mortality of adult house fly but dependent upon syrup. Overall, 20% baits of both extracts caused more than half population death of house fly within 48h. On the other hand, the mortality rate by 30% baits (from sunflower and marigold) had a similar impact as observed in case of imidacloprid and thiacloprid baits. Therefore, biological baits could play a more active and safer role in the management of house fly as compared to synthetic insecticides.

Fauna of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Goytacazes National Forest and surrounding area, State of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil / Fauna de mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) na Floresta Nacional de Goytacazes e área adjacente, estado do Espírito Santo, sudeste do Brasil

Abstract Mosquitoes comprehend a group with a major impact on public health, because some species transmit parasites vertebrate hosts. Comparative studies between preserved environment and disturbed areas provide important epidemiological information, due to the major knowledge on species populational dynamics and the possibility of a contact between vector species and human population. This work aims to characterize and compare the fauna of mosquitoes in the Goytacazes National Forest (GNF) and surrounding area, in the State of Espírito Santo, in Brazil. Collections occurred simultaneously in a preserved environment and in a peridomicile, from 15:00 to 18:00, between July 2008 and May 2009. In each environment, it was used a modified trap of Shannon type. As a result, 1,490 specimens from 14 genera and 19 identified species were collected. The species diversity (H = 1.95), species richness (S = 17), equitability index (J = 0.68) and the number of collected specimens (n = 1,100) were higher in the forest environment. The plentiful species were respectively Aedes (Ochlerotatus) scapularis (Rondani, 1848), Culex (Culex) nigripalpus Theobald, 1901 and Aedes (Ochlerotatus) fulvus (Wiedemann, 1828). Our results demonstrate that the occurrence of vector species in this region increases the potential risk of diverse arboviruses occurrence, especially wild-type yellow fever.

Resumo Os mosquitos compreendem um grupo importante para a saúde pública, porque algumas espécies estão envolvidas na transmissão de várias doenças para os seres humanos. Estudos comparativos entre ambiente florestal e áreas perturbadas fornecem importantes informações epidemiológicas, dado o maior conhecimento da dinâmica populacional das espécies e a possibilidade de contato entre as espécies de vetores e população humana. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar e comparar a fauna de mosquitos na Floresta Nacional de Goytacazes e área adjacente, no estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. As coletas ocorreram simultaneamente no ambiente florestal e peridomicílio, de 15:00 às 18:00 horas, entre junho de 2008 e maio de 2009. Em cada ambiente foi utilizada uma armadilha do tipo Shannon modificada. Como resultado, foram coletados 1.490 espécimes pertencentes a 14 gêneros e 19 espécies identificadas. A diversidade de espécies (H = 1,95), riqueza de espécies (S = 17), índice de equitabilidade (J = 0,68) e o número de espécimes coletados (n = 1.100) foram maiores no ambiente florestal. As espécies mais abundantes foram respectivamente Aedes (Ochlerotatus) scapularis (Rondani, 1848), Culex (Culex) nigripalpus Theobald, 1901 and Aedes (Ochlerotatus) fulvus (Wiedemann, 1828). Os resultados demonstram que a ocorrência de espécies vetores na região, aumenta o risco potencial de ocorrência de diversas arboviroses, com destaque para a febre amarela silvestre.

Screening of plant extracts and fractions on Aedes aegypti larvae found in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (linnaeus, 1762) (culicidae)

ABSTRACT The constant use of chemical insecticides for Aedes aegypti control has caused resistance in the mosquito populations. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the larvicidal potential of extracts and fractions of plants on A. aegypti larvae. The analysis included sixty one extracts and twenty five fractions of fifty botanical species at concentrations of 0.25; 0.12; 0.06 to 0.03 mg mL-1; 4 replications and one negative control of dechlorinate water and 1% DMSO; and a positive control with rotenone. The toxicity index in descending order with LC50 for the most active of the extracts selected were ethanol extract of Ormosea arborea (0.111 mg mL-1) seeds and ethanol extracts of leaves such as Piper hispidum (0.169 mg mL-1), Solanum variabile (0.188 mg mL-1), O. arborea (0.238 mg mL-1), Turnera umifolia (0.242 mg mL-1) and Piper hispidum (0.567 mg mL-1). For plant fractions, the most active were chloroform (0.192 mg mL-1) and hexane (0.342 mg mL-1) P. aduncum leaves, hexane fraction (0.415 mg mL-1) and methanol extract (0.625 mg mL-1) of Spermacocea latifolia leaves. Regarding the extract of T. umifolia single species, there is no bibliographic report on their degree of efficiency as an insecticide.

Recomendaciones para la vigilancia de Aedes aegypti / Recommendations for the surveillance of Aedes aegypti

Las enfermedades causadas por arbovirus transmitidos por Aedes aegypti, como el dengue, el chikungunya y el zika, continúan aumentando en incidencia anual y expansión geográfica. Una limitación clave para el control de A. aegypti ha sido la ausencia de herramientas eficaces para vigilar su población y poder determinar las medidas de control que realmente funcionan. La vigilancia de A. aegypti se ha basado principalmente en la obtención de los índices aédicos, los cuales guardan poca relación con el número de hembras del mosquito, que son las responsables de la transmisión de los virus. El reciente desarrollo de técnicas de muestreo de adultos de este vector promete facilitar las labores de vigilancia y control. En esta revisión se presentan las diversas técnicas de vigilancia del mosquito, así como una discusión sobre su utilidad, con recomendaciones para lograr una vigilancia entomológica más efectiva.

Diseases caused by arboviruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti , such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika, continue to rise in annual incidence and geographic expansion. A key limitation for achieving control of A. aegypti has been the lack of effective tools for monitoring its population, and thus determine what control measures actually work. Surveillance of A. aegypti has been based mainly on immature indexes, but they bear little relation to the number of mosquito females, which are the ones capable of transmitting the viruses. The recent development of sampling techniques for adults of this vector species promises to facilitate surveillance and control activities. In this review, we present the various monitoring techniques for this mosquito, along with a discussion of their usefulness, and recommendations for improved entomological surveillance.

Revalidation and redescription of Triatoma brasiliensis macromelasoma Galvão, 1956 and an identification key for the Triatoma brasiliensis complex (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

Triatoma brasiliensis macromelasoma is revalidated based on the results of previous multidisciplinary studies on the Triatoma brasiliensis complex, consisting of crossing experiments and morphological, biological, ecological and molecular analyses. These taxonomic tools showed the closest relationship between T. b. macromelasoma and Triatoma brasiliensis brasiliensis. T. b. macromelasoma is redescribed based on specimens collected in the type locality and specimens from a F1 colony. The complex now comprises T. b. brasiliensis, T. b. macromelasoma, Triatoma melanica, Triatoma juazeirensis and Triatoma sherlocki. An identification key for all members of the complex is presented. This detailed comparative study of the morphological features of T. b. macromelasoma and the remaining members of the complex corroborates results from multidisciplinary analyses, suggesting that the subspecific status is applicable. This subspecies can be distinguished by the following combination of features: a pronotum with 1+1 narrow brownish-yellow stripes on the submedian carinae, not attaining its apex, hemelytra with membrane cells darkened on the central portion and legs with an incomplete brownish-yellow ring on the apical half of the femora. Because the T. brasiliensis complex is of distinct epidemiological importance throughout its geographic distribution, a precise identification of its five members is important for monitoring and controlling actions against Chagas disease transmission.

Triatoma jatai sp. nov. in the state of Tocantins, Brazil (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

Triatoma jatai sp. nov. is the first new species of triatomine to be described in the state of Tocantins, in the northern region of Brazil. It was caught on rock outcrops in the wild environment and, more recently, invading homes. While T. jatai sp. nov. is morphologically similar to Triatoma costalimai, it is distinguished by its general colouring, differences in the blotches on the connexivum, wing size in females and external structures of the male genitalia. The type series has been deposited in the Entomological Collection and Herman Lent Collection, Oswaldo Cruz Institute-Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

First host record for Anteon pilicorne (Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae), a parasitoid of Cicadellidae, including the corn leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

For the first time the dryinid wasp Anteon pilicorne (Ogloblin) is recorded as a parasitoid of two Macrostelini leafhoppers: Balclutha rosea (Scott) and the corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott). New distributional records are presented.

First record of Eudorylas schreiteri (Shannon) (Diptera: Pipunculidae) as a parasitoid of the corn leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Argentina, with a table of pipunculid-host associations in the neotropical region / Primeiro registro de Eudorylas schreiteri (Shannon) (Diptera: Pipunculidae) como parasitóide da cigarrinha do milho (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) na Argentina, e uma tabela dos hospedeiros de pipunculídeos na região neotropical

The big-headed fly Eudorylas schreiteri (Shannon) is recorded for the first time as an endoparasitoid of the corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) in Northern Argentina. A table of known Neotropical pipunculid-host associations is presented.

Eudorylas schreiteri (Shannon) é registrada pela primeira vez como endoparasitóide da cigarrinha do milho Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) no norte da Argentina. Uma tabela das espécies neotropicais de pipunculídeos com hospedeiros conhecidos é apresentada.

Comparison of feeding and defecation patterns between fifth-instar nymphs of Triatoma patagonica (Del Ponte, 1929) and Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1934) under laboratory conditions / Comparação dos padrões alimentar e de defecação em ninfas de quinto estádio de Triatoma patagonica (Del Ponte, 1929) e Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1934), em condições de laboratório

Among the vectors of Chagas disease, Triatoma patagonica is a species in the process of adaptation to the human environment. However, its vector competence is not well known. This study had the aim of evaluating and comparing feeding and defecation patterns among fifth-instar nymphs of Triatoma patagonica and Triatoma infestans that were fed ad libitum. The results showed that nymphs of Triatoma patagonica had a feeding pattern similar to that of Triatoma infestans. Sixty nine percent and 58 percent of nymphs of Triatoma patagonica and Triatoma infestans, respectively, produced their first defecation within five minutes after being fed. Triatoma patagonica defecated during feeding, with an average time until first defecation that was shorter than that of Triatoma infestans (3.4 and 6.2 min, respectively). The nymphs of Triatoma patagonica were capable of defecating during or immediately after feeding.

Entre os vetores da doença de Chagas, Triatoma patagonica é uma espécie que se encontra em processo de adaptação ao ambiente humano; embora sua competência vetorial não seja bem conhecida. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar e comparar padrões de alimentação e defecação em ninfas de quinto estádio de Triatoma patagonica e Triatoma infestans ad libitum. Os resultados mostraram que as ninfas de Triatoma patagonica apresentou padrõe de alimentação semelhante a Triatoma infestans. Sessenta e nove por cento e 58 por cento das ninfas de Triatoma patagonica e Triatoma infestans respectivamente, realizaram a primeira defecação cinco minutos após de serem alimentadas; sendo que a primeira defecou durante a alimentação, com um tempo médio de dejeção menor do que para Triatoma infestans (3,4 vs 6,2 respectivamente). As ninfas de Triatoma patagonica foram capazes de defecar durante ou imediatamente após de se alimentarem.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of Interceptor bed net on controlling disease vectors Aedes aegypti in Vietnam, 2007

Background: Using insecticides is considered as a temporary and rapid method for interrupting the disease transmission through disease vectors such as dengue. The insecticide Fendona, when absorbed into bed nets, is slowly released and rapidly knocks out, kills or repels mosquitoes as they come into contact with the bed net. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Interceptor bed net (a unique textile-finishing product developed by BASF, Singapore PTE. LTD, that were coated with the Fendona insecticide) on controlling disease vector Aedes aegypti. Subjects and method: An experimental trial was carried out at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and in the field of Hien Giang commune, Thuong Tin district, Ha Tay province. The changes of efficacy of Interceptor bed net were compared by not washing with washing at the different levels. Results: The unwashed bed nets can knock out and kill Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by 50% after 20 minutes of exposure on every trial. About 90-100% of total mosquitoes were killed after the first 30 minutes of exposure. Bed net\u2019s efficacy remains until 24 hours of the trial. The recovery rate of the mosquito is 0%. The same results were also observed after 90 days, 36 days and 18 days of bed nets being laundered. However, after 9 day of washing, the bed nets can only kill the mosquitoes up to about 90-95% of the total after the first 30 minutes of exposure. It also reached 100% of killing after 24 hours. However, its efficacy was conversely reduced with regard to the increase of laundry times. Conclusion: The density of adult mosquitoes and larvae for Aedes aegypti was significantly reduced in the intervention areas, even at zero level in comparison to the control sites. The insecticide had no side-effect or any stimulation to users, community, poultry, cattle and environment in the intervention sites.