The effectiveness of the Mosquito Magnet trap for reducing biting midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) populations in coastal residential backyards

This study evaluated the effectiveness of single Mosquito Magnet' traps to consistently reduce biting midge populations in a coastal northwest Florida residential neighborhood. Midge abundance from 5 backyards, each with a Mosquito Magnet trap, was compared with 3 backyards without traps (controls). Midge populations were sampled once weekly for 24 h in each backyard by using a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suction trap baited with carbon dioxide. In addition, midge accumulations from Mosquito Magnet traps were collected once a week at the time of CDC trap operation while biting midge populations were manually sampled from each backyard by using a "sand fly bat" (i.e., a wire-handle flyswatter fitted with a 10.5-cm2 plastic 14 X 14 mesh screen). Eighteen midge species were collected during the study but the majority (99.9%) collected from all backyards were (in descending order): Culicoides mississippiensis, C. furens, and C. melleus. Midge populations from CDC traps in yards with Mosquito Magnets were significantly lower on 2 of 45 wk (March 28 and April 3) when compared with control backyards. Weekly reduction attributed to Mosquito Magnets was not consistent and ranged from 4.2 to 85.3%. No significant difference was found in mean midge abundance on sand fly bats from yards with Mosquito Magnets compared with control yards. On the average, cooperators with Mosquito Magnet traps reported that their seasonal level of midge reduction (as related to a monthly ranked degree of annoyance) was variable and often not consistently below their threshold.     

Impact of biting midges on residential property values in Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia

Biting midges (Culicoides spp.) are an important environmental health issue in Hervey Bay, an area of rapid population growth in Australia. It is also the gateway to a World Heritage area (Great Sandy Strait) and a destination for tourists. The spread of housing developments into suburbs close to midge breeding habitats has led to a problem for the local government responsible for managing biting insects in its area. Suburbs with a severe biting midge problem were found to have significantly lower residential property values than less affected suburbs. The gross reduction in value in due to the midge problem was estimated to range from more than AUS dollar 25 million, based on actual sale price, to more than AUS dollar 55 million, based on the perceptions of the most severely affected residents.     

黑龙江省吸血蠓一新种描述（双翅目：蠓科）

在鉴定采自黑龙江省逊克口岸的吸血蠓标本期间,发现库蠓属一新种,逊克库蠓Culicoides xunkeensis sp.nov.。该新种的翅斑与Culicoides corniculus Liu et Chu,1981和Culicoides koreensis Arnaud,1956相近似,但二者雄虫尾器阳茎中叶和阳基侧突的形状与本新种明显不同。新种模式标本保存于黑龙江出入境检验检疫局标本馆。     

Repellency of two deet formulations and Avon Skin-So-Soft against biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Honduras

Two U.S. military issue deet repellent formulations (75% deet liquid and 33% deet lotion) and Avon Skin-So-Soft were tested against ceratopogonid midges under field conditions in Honduras. Test subjects were U.S. military personnel deployed to Honduras for training. Culicoides furens accounted for 96.3% of all midges collected. The liquid and lotion formulations of deet and Avon Skin-So-Soft provided 97.9, 95.9 and 71.4% protection, respectively, compared with the untreated control. Both deet formulations provided significantly better protection (P less than 0.05) than Avon Skin-So-Soft. The latter provided protection by trapping the midges in the oily film and not by repelling the insects as did the deet formulations.     

Influence of environmental and meteorological factors on the biting activity of Leptoconops noei and Leptoconops irritans (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Italy

The flight activity of Leptoconops irritans and L. noei was studied on the Jonian-Lucanian coast of southern Italy, using CO2-baited traps. The flight of the females lasted from 6:00 a.m. to 8:40 p.m., with L. irritans being active in the morning hours while L. noei peaked around 6:00 p.m. Based on a stepwise regression analysis, temperature, RH, solar radiation, trap proximity to larval habitats, and the time of the day seemed to have little influence on the biting cycle of the 2 biting midges. Only a shift in wind direction appeared to influence female dispersion, resulting into population fluctuations of both species.     

New records of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) for Bolivia

Culicoides debilipalpis, C insignis, C. lahillei, and C venezuelensis are reported for the first time for Bolivia. The geographical distribution of C. paraensis extends to the Tarija Department.     

Using climate data to map the potential distribution of Culicoides imicola (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Europe.

Culicoides imicola, a vector of bluetongue virus and African horse sickness virus, is principally Afro-Asian in distribution, but has recently been found in parts of Europe. A logistic regression model based on climate data (temperature, saturation deficit, rainfall and altitude) and the published distribution of C. imicola in Iberia was developed and then applied to other countries in Europe, to identify locations where C. imicola could become established. The model identified three temperature variables as significant determinants of the distribution of C. imicola in Iberia (minimum of the monthly minimum temperatures, maximum of the monthly maximum temperatures and number of months per year with a mean temperature > or = 12.5 degrees C). The model indicated that under current conditions, the distribution of C. imicola in Spain, Greece and Italy could be extended and the vector could potentially invade parts of Albania, Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Croatia. To simulate the effect of global warming, temperature values in the model were increased by 2 degrees C. Under these conditions, the potential spread of C. imicola in Europe would be even more extensive.     

Ultrastructure of the eggs of Culicoides molestus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The eggs of Culicoides molestus (Skuse) are described and illustrated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Eggs are elongate with a slight dorsoventral curvature. No outer chorionic tubercles are present. Aeropyles are present in large numbers at the anterior end and in lower numbers at the posterior end and lateral regions. The chorion has 5 layers. An outer, rough, proteinaceous layer covers a smoother inner surface, which in turn encloses a layer of columns and meshwork that appears capable of containing air. These columns are underlain by an additional 2 layers. The aeropylar region, in combination with the chorionic meshwork, appears to provide a plastron that may aid in the survival and development of inundated eggs.     

吉林省吸血蠓的分类研究（双翅目：蠓科）

目的研究吉林省吸血蠓的分类。方法采用帐诱、灯诱和挥网法采集蠓;收集吉林省吸血蠓的文献。结果记述吉林省的吸血蠓已知2属41种,其中库蠓属（Culicoides）39种;蠛蠓属（Lasiohelea）2种。记述吉林省吸血蠓的主要鉴别特征测量值及库蠓属的雌雄虫分种检索表。结论为深入开展吉林省吸血蠓的生态学、媒介作用和防治等提供了理论依据。     

我国贝蠓一新种的发现：双翅目：蠓科

笔者在鄂豫交界处的鸡公山林间采获1只雄性贝蠓，经分类研究系一新种──喇叭贝蠓。     

Evaluation of two commercial traps for the collection of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Two types of commercial propane-powered traps, mosquito magnet (MM) (American Biophysics Corporation) MM-Freedom (Freedom) and MM-Liberty Plus (Liberty Plus), were evaluated for the collection of Culicoides. Trap preference and seasonal characteristics for the 3 major species, Culicoides furens, Culicoides barbosai, and Culicoides mississippiensis, were recorded from July 7, 2005, to July 24, 2006. Over 35 million Culicoides were captured during our study. When species were evaluated separately, analysis of overall mean trap collections yielded 5 months (February, March, June, September, and October) with significant trap effects. The Freedom trap captured more C. furens in June and October; the Liberty Plus trap captured more C. mississippiensis in February, March, and April, and more C. barbosai in September. The high numbers of Culicoides captured during our study suggest that the number of host-seeking Culicoides could potentially be reduced by continuous trapping during times when they are prevalent. Results of these investigations will be used to guide future control efforts.     

中国库蠓属屋室亚属新种及新纪录(双翅目:蠓科)

在鉴定采自我国山东省和西藏自治区的吸血蠓标本中发现1个新种和1个中国新纪录,山东库蠓,新种Culicoides(Oecacta)shandongensis sp.nov.。该新种与珠海库蠓〔Culicoides(Oecacta)zhuhaiensis Yu et Hao,1988〕相近似,但后者触须第3节、翅径端淡斑和受精囊的形状与本新种明显不同。都兰库蠓〔Culicoides(Oecacta)turanicus Gutsevich et Smatov,1971〕中国新纪录。模式标本保存于沈阳军区疾病预防控制中心(沈阳110034)。     

Comparison of several different trapping methods for Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

When battery operated CDC miniature incandescent and black light traps (with and without light bulbs) were operated with and without CO2, the rank of trap effectiveness for total numbers of female Culicoides variipennis caught was: black light plus CO2; CO2-baited trap without light bulb; black light without CO2; incandescent light plus CO2 and incandescent light without CO2. In 1983, the black light trap plus CO2 caught significantly more males and females than any other traps, and the incandescent light trap without CO2 caught significantly fewer females than any other traps. There were significant differences also in times gnats were collected, as well as in the gonotrophic condition of females caught in traps and that different traps caught different physiological/reproductive segments of the population. All catches revealed that gravid females began flying only a few min before sunset and peaked in the 1st h after sunset. Because it caught significantly larger numbers of females than other traps and because it was selectively attractive to gravid and parous females, the black light trap would be the trap of choice when large numbers of parous females are desired in arbovirus isolation studies.     

Comparisons of light traps for monitoring adult Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

From 1984 to 1986 tests were conducted to evaluate 4 trap types (ABADRL baffle trap, New Jersey trap, CDC trap, and updraft trap) with or without an incandescent light source, a suction fan or dry ice (as a source of CO2) for sampling adult Culicoides variipennis. The fewest flies were caught in the CDC and updraft traps. The New Jersey trap with suction, a strong light source and dry ice caught most flies, due to a significant increase in nulliparous females. The same New Jersey trap without dry ice caught the highest proportion of flies that had taken at least one bloodmeal. This trap would therefore be recommended for use in trapping for virus assay under epizootic conditions.     

Host-seeking activity of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) near Yankeetown, Florida

The diel, seasonal, and lunar host-seeking periodicity of Culicoides mississippiensis, C. floridensis, C. barbosai, and C. furens was studied near Yankeetown, Florida. Culicoides mississippiensis was the only species active during all seasons. Significantly more (P less than 0.05) individuals sought a blood meal when the moon was full than when the moon was in some other phase. Culicoides floridensis, the species with the shortest wing length, did not attack when the wind speed exceeded 9 km/h, and C. mississippiensis, the species with the greatest wing length, did not attack when the wind speed exceeded 17 km/h.     

江西省阿蠓属一新种（双翅目：蠓科）

2009年10月在江西省井冈山市采获170余只蠓科昆虫,包括阿蠓、库蠓、毛蠓、铗蠓和柱蠓5属,其中发现阿蠓属一新种,命名为海婴阿蠓（Alluaudomyia haiyingiLiu,Liu et Yu,sp．nov．）。该新种模式标本收藏于军事医学科学院微生物流行病研究所医学昆虫标本馆。     

广东珠海毛蠓二新种的描述（双翅目：蠓科）

１９８５年在广东珠海地区进行医学昆虫调查中采获一批蠓类，经分类研究，发现其中有毛蠓属２新种，分别命名为双尖毛蠓Ｄasyhelea diaxysia sp.nov.和小孢毛蠓Ｄasyhelea microsporea sp.nov。模式标本收藏于医学昆虫标本馆（北京１０００７１，丰台东大街２０号）。     

海南三亚地区蠓类的初步研究

１９９３年￣７月调查海南三亚地区蠓科昆虫的种类、场所分布、季节消长和昼夜节律，采获８属蠓科昆虫，库蠓属种类和数量最多，尖喙库蠓和荒川库蠓为采获蠓种的优势种群。橡胶林、灌木丛和牛棚等场所捕获的蠓种组成不同。４月份吸血蠓活动数量最多。本调查中尖喙库蠓有明显的晨峰和昏峰，荒川库蠓仅有昏峰。     

Using remote sensing to map larval and adult populations of Anopheles hyrcanus (Diptera: Culicidae) a potential malaria vector in Southern France

Background

Recent advances in GIS technology and remote sensing have provided new opportunities to collect ecologic data on agricultural pesticide exposure. Many pesticide studies have used historical or records-based data on crops and their associated pesticide applications to estimate exposure by measuring residential proximity to agricultural fields. Very few of these studies collected environmental and biological samples from study participants. One of the reasons for this is the cost of identifying participants who reside near study fields and analyzing samples obtained from them. In this paper, we present a cost-effective, GIS-based method for crop field selection and household recruitment in a prospective pesticide exposure study in a remote location. For the most part, our multi-phased approach was carried out in a research facility, but involved two brief episodes of fieldwork for ground truthing purposes. This method was developed for a larger study designed to examine the validity of indirect pesticide exposure estimates by comparing measured exposures in household dust, water and urine with records-based estimates that use crop location, residential proximity and pesticide application data. The study focused on the pesticide atrazine, a broadleaf herbicide used in corn production and one of the most widely-used pesticides in the U.S.

Results

We successfully used a combination of remotely-sensed data, GIS-based methods and fieldwork to select study fields and recruit participants in Illinois, a state with high corn production and heavy atrazine use. Our several-step process consisted of the identification of potential study fields and residential areas using aerial photography; verification of crop patterns and land use via site visits; development of a GIS-based algorithm to define recruitment areas around crop fields; acquisition of geocoded household-level data within each recruitment area from a commercial vendor; and confirmation of final participant household locations via ground truthing. The use of these procedures resulted in a sufficient sample of participants from 14 recruitment areas in seven Illinois counties.

Conclusion

One of the challenges in pesticide research is the identification and recruitment of study participants, which is time consuming and costly, especially when the study site is in a remote location. We have demonstrated how GIS-based processes can be used to recruit participants, increase efficiency and enhance accuracy. The method that we used ultimately made it possible to collect biological samples from a specific demographic group within strictly defined exposure areas, with little advance knowledge of the location or population.     

福建省吸血库蠓二新种(双翅目蠓科)

目的 报道可能成为人兽共患病传媒的2个吸血库蠓新种--莆田库蠓和渠桥库蠓.方法 对1978年乙脑流调中采集到的吸血蠓样本定种鉴定.结果 莆田库蠓触角第3、11～15节具感觉器,触须感觉器分散在节端半部内侧,无感觉窝形成.翅有明显的淡暗斑,第3缘淡斑明显宽阔,呈纵条形,上缘接触翅前缘,下缘邻接m1脉,腹部有2个发达的受精...