Establishment of a free-mating colony of Anopheles albitarsis from Brazil.

The establishment of a free-mating colony of Anopheles albitarsis sensu siricto, a member of the Anopheles albitarsis complex, is described. Groups of females from the F5, F6, and F11 generations were examined, and the percent inseminated, mean number of eggs oviposited, and percent hatch discussed. The colony has been continued through 18 generations, with larval development averaging 10 days, and larval mortality ranging between 20 and 30%.

U.S. Army vector control (preventive medicine) operations during Operation Restore Hope, Somalia.

During the early stages of Operation Restore Hope, three U.S. Army preventive-medicine detachments were deployed to Somalia to counter the disease and non-battle injury threat to deployed forces. The activities of these units are discussed, with an emphasis on the entomology detachment. The preventive medicine (PVNTMED) threat facing deployed forces was considerable, and probably greater than that encountered in any recent operation. This threat is discussed, as are the methods used by the PVNTMED detachments to counter the threat. Vector control and pest management operations of the entomology detachment are highlighted, and how they related to the health and comfort of deployed personnel. These operations ranged from routine mosquito surveillance to large-area vector-control missions using a helicopter-slung pesticide dispersal unit. A variety of "lessons learned" are also discussed, focusing on individual and company-level PVNTMED measures.