Differences in male–female ratios of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) following ultra-low volume adulticide applications

Suppression of Aedes albopictus populations is a substantial challenge for mosquito control programs globally because juveniles of this species are found in numerous kinds of domestic artificial containers that are difficult to detect, access, and eliminate. We conducted a multi-year assessment of the effect of different interventions to control Ae. albopictus near the northernmost geographic boundary of the species in temperate North America and deployed an array of BG-Sentinel traps for adult surveillance. Here we present the results of a comparative examination of adult sex ratios in urban and suburban areas, shifts in sex ratios after control interventions, and a discussion of the critical drivers of population dynamics of Ae. albopictus in our area. We collected significantly more male mosquitoes in urban as compared to suburban areas in June through September, but not in May (p < 0.001). The higher number of male mosquitoes in urban areas could be attributed to a higher number of larval habitats within a closer proximity of the surveillance traps and the lower flight dispersal of males. Following application of adulticides in urban areas, Ae. albopictus male populations were reduced by 88% on average, which was higher than the 69% reduction in female populations. The higher reduction of male mosquitoes could be attributed to the smaller body mass of the males and their higher susceptibility to adulticides. The results of this study are directly relevant to the development of suitable control strategies that depend on manipulation of males, such as the sterile insect technique. The results could also be used to refine mosquito abatement by providing more accurate methods to determine the need and timing of vector control.     

Genetic structure of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) populations in China and relationship with the knockdown resistance mutations

Background Mosquito control is needed to prevent dengue fever, which is mainly spread byAedes albopictus in China. Application of insecticides is one of the main mosquito control methods; however, this approach can fail due to the knockdown resistance (kdr) gene mutation that causes decreased sensitivity to insecticides inAe. albopictus. Thekdr mutation patterns among different regions in China differ significantly. However, the underlying mechanism and factors that influencekdr mutation remain ...     

Correction to “Effect of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 powder consumption on the gut microbiota and intestinal health of overweight adults”. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27(1): 107-128 [PMID: 33505154 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i1.107]

We corrected the wrong name of the primers used in this study. The correct name should be Bakt_341F (5’-CGCTCTTCCGATCTCTGCCTACGGGNGGCWGCAG-3’) and Bakt_805R (5’-TGCTCTTCCGATCTGACGACTACHVGGGTATCTAATCC-3’).