Blood-sucking biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) from Poland

Further records of Culicoides collected from new localities and regions are presented. C. vidourlensis (Baltic Coasts), C. abchazicus (Ojców National Park, Babia Góra Mts) and C. jurensis (Pieniny and Babia Góra Mts) are for the first time recorded from the country. At present 48 species of the genus are known to occur in Poland.     

The sexual activity of Culicoides nubeculosus (Mg.) (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) (author's transl)

The sexual activity of C. nubeculosus has been studied in relation to the age of males and females. The criteria chosen were stoutness of spermatheca and frequency of mating, respectively. A unit N. M. H. (number of matings/male/hour) has been determined. Sexual activity reaches its maximum on 2nd day of imaginal life and is then slowly decreasing. This maximum activity on 2nd day rapidly decreases in the hours following blood meal, down to a rate which then remains nearly constant.     

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory property of the leaves of Sansevieria liberica ger. and labr. (fam: Dracaenaceae)

ObjectiveTo evaluate the anti-inflammatory property of leaves of Sansevieria liberica Ger. and Labr. and to ascertain the toxicity and phytochemical profiles of the extract of the leaves.MethodsThe juice from the fresh leaves was expressed manually and lyophilized. The crude extract (CE) was then fractionated into n-hexane fraction (HF), chloroform fraction (CF), ethylacetate fraction (EF) and methanol fraction (MF). The crude extract (CF) and the fractions were screened for anti-inflammatory activity using egg albumen-induced paw (systemic) edema in rats as a measure of acute inflammation. The toxicity test and phytochemical screening were done using standard procedures.ResultsThe CE and the fractions significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the development of paw edema induced by egg albumen in rats. The potency/activity of the CE and the fractions increased in the order HF>CE>MF>CF>EF, with the CE and HF at 400 mg/kg exhibiting inhibition comparable to that obtained with 5 mg/kg diclofenac sodium. Acute toxicity test on CE established an oral and intraperitoneal LD₅₀ of > 5 000 mg/kg in mice. Phytochemical screening of the CE and the fractions showed the presence of various bioactive substances such as alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides, reducing sugars, tannins, resins, carbohydrates, proteins, acidic compounds, fats and oils.ConclusionsThe results of the study showed that the leaves of Sansevieria liberica Ger and Labr. possess anti-inflammatory effects which may be due to its bioactive constituents. Further purification on these bioactive constituents may result in the development of potent anti-inflammatory agent with low toxicity and better therapeutic index.     

The phlebotomine sandfly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Kenya

Visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases are endemic in some parts of Kenya, where they are transmitted by phlebobotomine sandflies of genus Phlebotomus. This review is a compilation of the currently known distribution of phlebotomine sandflies in the parts of Kenya that have been studied, from the time sandflies were first reported in the country. So far 48 species of sandflies have been identified falling in the genera Phlebotomus Rondani & Berte and Sergentomyia Franca & Parrot. Genus Phlebotomus in Kenya is represented in five subgenera, namely Phlebotomus, Larroussius, Synphlebotomus, Paraphlebotomus and Anaphlebotomus. Genus Sergentomyia has the largest number of sandflies, and is represented in four subgenera, namely Sergentomyia, Sintonius, Grassomyia and Parvidens.     

The blood-sucking midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae, Leptoconopidae) of the eastern Caspian Sea region (Mangyshlak)]

Fifteen types of biting midges belonging to two families Ceratopogonidae and Leptoconopidae were recorded in the eastern Caspian Sea region. The insect breeding foci and the seasonal and daily activity of flights were determined.