Colonization of members of the Anopheles Hyrcanus Group is required to facilitate a better understanding of their roles in the epidemiology, vector competence, transmission potential, and maintenance of vivax malaria in the Republic of Korea (ROK). A total of 158 resting blood-fed wild caught Anopheles species were collected on August 26, 2011 at Tongilchon, near the demilitarized zone, in the ROK and shipped on August 28, 2011 to the Entomology Department, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand. Four of the 5 species of the Anopheles Hyrcanus Group (Anopheles kleini, An. sinensis, An. pullus, and An. belenrae) were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Eggs were obtained from parent populations, and F₁ progeny provided blood meals using membrane feeding techniques. The mean numbers of eggs/female for An. sinensis and An. kleini were 157 and 146, respectively. Membrane blood feeding rates for An. sinensis (90.6%) and An. kleini (89.0%) were similar for F₁–F₃₀ generations. Colonies of An. kleini and An. sinensis were established by force mating techniques and maintained by the Insectary Section, Entomology Department, AFRIMS, to date. This is the 1st report of successful laboratory colonization of An. kleini collected from a vivax malaria high-risk area in the ROK.

Remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) data can be used to identify larval mosquito habitats and predict species distribution and abundance across a landscape. An understanding of the landscape features that impact abundance and dispersal can then be applied operationally in mosquito control efforts to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens. In an effort to better understand the effects of landscape heterogeneity on the abundance of the West Nile virus (WNV) vector Culex tarsalis, we determined associations between GIS-based environmental data at multiple spatial extents and monthly abundance of adult Cx. tarsalis in Larimer County and Weld County, CO. Mosquito data were collected from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention miniature light traps operated as part of local WNV surveillance efforts. Multiple regression models were developed for prediction of monthly Cx. tarsalis abundance for June, July, and August using 4 years of data collected over 2007–10. The models explained monthly adult mosquito abundance with accuracies ranging from 51–61% in Fort Collins and 57–88% in Loveland–Johnstown. Models derived using landscape-level predictors indicated that adult Cx. tarsalis abundance is negatively correlated with elevation. In this case, low-elevation areas likely more abundantly include habitats for Cx. tarsalis. Model output indicated that the perimeter of larval sites is a significant predictor of Cx. tarsalis abundance at a spatial extent of 500 m in Loveland–Johnstown in all months examined. The contribution of irrigated crops at a spatial extent of 500 m improved model fit in August in both Fort Collins and Loveland–Johnstown. These results emphasize the significance of irrigation and the manual control of water across the landscape to provide viable larval habitats for Cx. tarsalis in the study area. Results from multiple regression models can be applied operationally to identify areas of larval Cx. tarsalis production (irrigated crops lands and standing water) and assign priority in larval treatments to areas with a high density of larval sites at relevant spatial extents around urban locations.

We evaluated the commercially available Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP®) West Nile virus (WNV) antigen detection test for sensitivity and consistency with real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmation testing. Panels of samples consisting of WNV-spiked mosquito pools and negative control pools were sent to 20 mosquito abatement districts (MADs) that processed the pools using the RAMP assay. The samples were then sent to the reference laboratories used by the MADs for confirmation by real-time RT-PCR. Positive pools with virus titers of roughly 1–3 log₁₀ PFU/ml had RAMP scores above the RAMP test positive cutoff score of 30 RAMP units, but these virus-positive samples could not be reliably confirmed by real-time RT-PCR testing. Pools with virus titers ≥4 log₁₀ PFU/ml scored ≥50 RAMP units. Real-time RT-PCR results varied among the confirmation laboratories. With few exceptions, pools returning a RAMP score of ≥100 were confirmed with real-time RT-PCR, while pools returning a RAMP score of 50–99 appeared to be at the limit of real-time RT-PCR detection. Therefore, we recommend using a positive cutoff of 50 RAMP units with no real-time RT-PCR confirmation to maximize speed, efficiency, and economy of the RAMP assay. A more conservative approach would be to implement a “gray zone” range of 50–100 RAMP units. Pools scoring within the gray zone could be submitted for real-time RT-PCR confirmation with the understanding that positive pools may not confirm due to the inhibitory effect of the RAMP buffer on the real-time RT-PCR assay. We also conducted a series of experiments using laboratory-prepared mosquito pools spiked with WNV to compare mosquito homogenization buffers, pool sizes, and grinding methods in order to determine how these variables affect the RAMP and real-time RT-PCR assay results.

Four commercially available spatial repellent devices were tested in a rice-land habitat near Stuttgart, AR, after semi–field level assessments had been made at the Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture in Gainesville, FL. OFF! Clip-On® (metofluthrin), Mosquito Cognito® (linalool), No-Pest Strip® (dichlorvos), and ThermaCELL® (d-cis/trans allethrin) were selected for this study from >20 candidate products. The units based on metofluthrin, linalool, or d-cis/trans allethrin significantly reduced captures of 1 or more of the mosquito species at surrogate human sites (unlit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traps with CO₂ and octenol). Among the mosquito species analyzed statistically (Anopheles quadrimaculatus, Culex erraticus, and Psorophora columbiae), there were significantly different responses (up to 84% reduction) to individual products, suggesting that combinations of certain spatial repellents might provide significantly greater protection.

Gravid traps are important tools for disease monitoring and for research on mosquito ovipositional behavior. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate a 2% nonanal lure in gravid mosquito traps in Ifakara, Tanzania. The 1st experiment focused on whether water was needed in the pan below the trap for the nonanal lure to be effective. There was no significant difference between the numbers of gravid females of Culex quinquefasciatus collected in traps using a nonanal lure either with or without water. The 2nd experiment compared the lure, without water, to a grass infusion and a blank trap, without water or attractant. Significantly more mosquitoes were collected in traps with grass infusion than in traps with the other attractants, which were not significantly different from each other. Although more mosquitoes were collected in traps with grass infusion, substantial numbers were also collected in traps with the nonanal lure and unbaited traps.

Ground ultra-low volume (ULV) application against Aedes albopictus is a challenging methodology as its efficacy is strongly related to environmental conditions, insect behavior, and the pesticide formulation. Such operations are very relevant in many control programs, although their real efficacy is often unknown. Trials were carried out as part of real-world applications in urban scenarios in the Baix Llobregat region to evaluate the efficacy of 2 active ingredients, delatamethrin and alpha-cypermethrin. Both pyrethroids were tested against caged mosquitoes placed at a range of distances and under varying environmental conditions. Additionally, persistence on plants placed at the same distances was evaluated after 5 h, as well as droplet distribution using water-sensitive papers. The deltamethrin formulation used yielded significantly higher 24-h mortality than alpha-cypermethrin (100% direct mortality up to 25 m versus 10 m; and 73.9% residual 5-h mortality at 20 m compared to <50% at 5 m). The influence of environmental factors, a comparison with other field tests, and the real effect on uncaged mosquitoes is discussed.

Larval Armigeres malayi and larval Ar. milnensis were first collected from rainwater-filled broken coconut shells in the district of Manufahi, subdistrict Same, in southwest Timor-Leste in September 2010. In subsequent surveys, Ar. malayi and Ar. milnensis were frequently observed in water-filled coconut shells either as the sole culicid species, or coexisting with each other, or with larval Aedes albopictus or Culex spp. Although there have been a number of published surveys of Culicidae in Timor-Leste, these Armigeres species have not previously been recorded in this country. Little is known about the status of these species as potential vectors of human or animal disease; however, it has been suggested that Ar. milnensis is a potential vector of Dirofilaria immitis and other filariae, so they may merit further study from a human and veterinary health perspective, as well as for their role in local ecosystems, particularly their competitive impact on other mosquito species that oviposit in the same container habitats.

The 1st confirmed record of Culiseta nipponica for the Republic of Korea was made at Osan Air Base and Tongilchon, Gyeonggi Province, and at the Incheon International Airport, Incheon metropolitan area, using carbon dioxide–baited light and Mosquito Magnet® traps. Larval surveys near adult collection sites during June and August 2013 were negative for Culiseta nipponica.

The finding of Sabethes purpureus larvae and pupae in tree holes both in urban and forest environments in San Ramón de la Nueva Orán, Salta Province, Argentina, is reported, together with information on the larval habitat. Tree holes were sampled monthly from January to March or April of 2011, 2012, and 2013 along sidewalks, in public access areas, and in 3 sites within forested areas outside the city, selected along an urban gradient in Orán. Sabathes purpureus was most frequently found in low numbers and with other mosquito species. A higher proportion of tree holes was positive in the urban compared to the forest environment, although there were no significant differences in abundances or densities per hole. To our best knowledge, this paper reports the species for the first time breeding in an urban environment, and extends its geographical distribution from the Atlantic and Paranaense forests to the Southern Andean Yungas in northwestern Argentina.

A bunyavirus surveillance was performed in 2,600 pools consisting of 45,728 mosquitoes collected in north-central Florida from May 2006 to April 2007. Fifteen mosquito pools were found to be virus-positive from the total 2,600 mosquito pools tested (0.6% infection rate), which resulted in a minimum infection rate of 0.33 per 1,000 mosquitoes. Sequence data identified the virus to be Tensaw virus, a member of the Bunyaviridae family. All the virus-positive samples were obtained from pools collected from May to October 2006, in 3 of the 4 major locations studied, revealing the presence of Tensaw virus in north-central Florida mosquito populations in 2006.

A field trial comparing a formulation containing 40% deet (N,N-diethyl-3-methyl benzamide) in ethanol (Bushman™) and 32% lemon eucalyptus oil (LEO; Mosi-guard®) as protection against mosquitoes at Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia, was conducted in February 2012 and February 2013. The 40% deet formulation provided 100% protection against mosquitoes for 7 h, while the 32% LEO provided >95% protection for 3 h.

Stormwater catch basins are the primary source of mosquitoes targeted by the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District, in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Over a 17-wk period (June to September 2011), 3 clusters of catch basins located within a 0.7-km² area were monitored weekly with dipper samples of immature mosquitoes. During the 2nd week of monitoring, Natular™ XRT tablets (6.25% spinosad) were applied to northernmost cluster and FourStar™ Briquets (6% Bacillus sphaericus, 1% Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) were applied to the southernmost cluster; the remaining middle cluster was kept untreated. Following 15 wk of monitoring in 20 basins in each cluster, both Natular and FourStar reduced immature numbers in treated catch basins for 8 consecutive weeks. These results suggest, if effectively timed, a single application of either larvicide may last an entire season.