The 1st Aedes albopictus specimen recorded from Colorado was found near a tire storage site in Ft. Lupton on July 9, 2003. Intensified surveillance at the site in 2003 did not result in collection of any other specimens that season, leading to speculation that it was an isolated incident rather than an actual introduction for the species. Control measures against larvae and adult mosquitoes were conducted in the area to further reduce the likelihood of establishment of a viable population. However, subsequent surveillance during the 2004 mosquito season resulted in collection of 21 additional specimens at and near the Ft. Lupton site, possibly representing an established viable population of the species.

Oviposition response of gravid Anopheles albimanus Wiedemman (Diptera: Culicidae) females to water containing Brachiaria mutica, Cynodon dactylon, Jouvea straminea, Fimbristylis spadicea, and Ceratophyllum demersum was investigated. Gravid An. albimanus females deposited similar egg numbers in cups containing natural plants in water from natural breeding sites and in cups containing natural plants in distilled water. Gravid mosquitoes deposited significantly more eggs in cups containing natural plants in water from natural breeding sites than in cups containing artificial plants in water from the corresponding natural breeding sites. These results were confirmed in experiments conducted in a wind tunnel, indicating that female response is mediated by chemical cues from plants. Bioassays with organic extracts of all 5 plant species indicated that these extracts at 100%, 10%, and 1% concentrations had an oviposition repellent effect, while attractiveness was observed at 0.1%, 0.01%, and 0.001%. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis of the organic extracts found in all 5 plants showed a mixture of terpenoid and alcohol compounds, among them: guaiacol, phenol, isoeugenol, longifolene, caryophyllene, phenyl ethyl alcohol, and p-cresol. These results suggest that middle-range volatiles from plants may function as chemical cues for the female's oviposition response in this mosquito species.

The lengths of gonotrophic cycle and egg development and survival rate were studied in Anopheles vestitipennis collected in horse and human-baited traps in southern Mexico. The gonotrophic cycle duration was estimated using cross-correlation analysis, whereas the survival rate was assessed using a vertical method. Daily changes of parity rates gave significant correlation indices at 3 and 4 days in the zoophilic and anthro-pophilic populations, respectively. The minimum time required to develop mature eggs after blood feeding was 54 and 60 h, and the survival rate was 0.93 and 0.88 in zoophilic and anthropophilic female mosquito populations, respectively. These biological differences provide additional support for the existence of subpopulations with distinctive feeding preferences within An. vestitipennis in southern Mexico.

Observations on the morphological ultrastructure of eggs of Ochlerotatus (Protomacleaya) terrens (Diptera: Culicidae) were conducted by using scanning electron microscopy. Morphometry of the principal structures was obtained with the aid of Semafore analysis software. Eggs of Oc. terrens from females caught in the Biological Reserve of Tinguá, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were utilized. The eggs presented elliptical outlines, with a length of approximately 649.0 μm and width of 168.7 μm. The egg index (length to width ratio) was 3.85 μm. The exochorion had hexagonal and sometimes pentagonal ornamentation. Inside the chorionic cells were small, well-distributed tubercles with a large range of sizes. The micropylar apparatus, located in the anterior region of the egg, presented a collar with a poorly visible frame, with borders of indeterminate extent and margins without a defined transition area, and a thickness of approximately 1.8 μm. The micropyle was plugged.

Field studies were conducted in southwestern Virginia to determine the ovipositional preferences of Culex restuans and Culex pipiens by using ovitraps and gravid traps baited with selected infusions. For the ovitrap collections, 4 different infusions (manure, hay, grass, and rabbit chow) were used. Significant differences among infusions were detected on most sample dates for both species. For 3 of the first 4 wk of collections, the manure infusion collected significantly more Cx. restuans than all the other infusions. The hay and grass infusions collected the majority of the egg rafts during weeks 5–9. Cx. pipiens egg rafts were absent from the first 3 wk of collections. Of the remaining 6 wk, 4 showed significant differences in attractiveness of infusions, with the hay and grass infusions preferred by Cx. pipiens. Two infusions, manure and hay, were used for the gravid trap experiment and both Cx. restuans and Cx. pipiens data were combined for analysis. Only the first 2 wk showed significance, with manure being preferred over hay in both weeks. In later collections, the relative attractiveness of the hay infusion increased. A seasonal shift in infusion preference may be related to incubation temperature during preparation of the infusions. New infusions were prepared each week and incubation was done outside. Increased attractiveness of the hay infusion coincided with higher average temperatures in July and August. Hay infusion was very effective for trapping both Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans in southwestern Virginia and is more convenient to use than manure. However, cool outside temperatures in the early season may interfere with the fermentation process and thus incubation should be done for a longer time or brought indoors.

Knowledge of the flight behavior of local vectors is of paramount importance in mosquito control programs. The following study defined the recapture rate of wild-caught, unengorged Anopheles darlingi females at 0, 400, and 800 m from a fixed release point in Belize, Central America, using a newly designed portable experimental hut. Three sampling trials, each consisting of 2 12-h collections, were performed at all distances from July 2002 to June 2003. A total of 1,185 An. darlingi were marked and released during the course of the study. The recapture rate was greatest at 0 m (29.0%; 124/428) and declined from 11.6% (37/318) at 400 m to 5.8% (21/361) at the 800-m site. There was no difference between the average number of marked mosquitoes recaptured inside the experimental hut versus outside the hut at any distance location. Recapture rates of each trial were highest during the first night's collection at all locations. Further examination of the first night data revealed a variation in the peak time of recapture by distances from the release point. The peak in nightly recapture at both the 0- and 400-m sites occurred within the first 2 h after sunset, and the peak recapture at the 800-m site occurred during the 7th h after sunset. Information from the present study is the first to describe the flight behavior of An. darlingi in Belize and will benefit in the development of adult-density risk assessments at the house level based on distances from potential vector breeding sites.

Eleven species of mosquito larvae were collected in 568 collection visits to 209 abandoned tire pile sites in 33 West Virginia counties from April through October of 2003. Ochlerotatus j. japonicus supplanted the native Oc. triseriatus as the most common tire-colonizing species in the state. In general, the exotic Oc. j. japonicus was a better colonizer of tires than Oc. triseriatus in peridomestic, sunlit conditions throughout the state, whereas both species were equally likely to colonize tires in nonperidomestic, shaded settings. Aedes albopictus competed effectively with Oc. triseriatus from mid-summer through October in low elevation western counties but was not well represented in central counties of the state. Aedes albopictus was seldom collected at higher elevations in eastern counties. Culex pipiens, like Ae. albopictus, was more likely to be in collections from the western portion of West Virginia throughout the study period. Frequency of occurrence of Cx. restuans peaked in early season collections and declined as the season progressed, but Anopheles punctipennis and the medically unimportant Cx. territans gradually increased in frequency each month through September. Typically, species in the genus Culex and An. punctipennis were predisposed to peridomestic, sunlit habitats. Larvae of the predatory Toxorhynchites rutilus septentrionalis were found mostly in nonperidomestic, shaded settings. This species initially appeared in mid-summer, and by August and September it was found in as many as 30% of the collection sites in western and eastern counties. Larvae of An. barberi, Oc. atropalpus, and Orthopodomyia signifera were poorly represented in collections.

No previous studies have been conducted on the natural food of larval Anopheles culicifacies s.l. (the major malaria vector) and An. varuna (a secondary vector) in Sri Lanka. The present study analyzed the contents of guts dissected from larvae collected from pools in a natural stream-cum-irrigation conveyance channel in the Upper Yan Oya watershed in the North Central Province of the country during August–September 1997 and July 1998. Determinations of physicochemical and biological parameters of the pools and their water were done at the same time. A fluorochromatic stain, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, was used to stain larval gut contents. Quantitative estimates of different categories of food types were made by analyzing the gut contents of 95 An. culicifacies (26 second instars and 69 fourth instars) and 52 An. varuna (21 second instars and 31 fourth instars). Detritus was the most frequent food type, comprising >74% of the gut contents in both species. Other food types included bacteria (cocci and rods), filamentous algae, diatoms, and desmids. Overall, bacteria constituted a significantly higher proportion of the gut contents in An. culicifacies than in An varuna. Significantly more detritus, bacteria, and total particulate matter occurred in 4th instars of An. culicifacies than in An. varuna, indicating a greater food intake in the former species. Second instars of An. culicifacies and An. varuna did not differ significantly in any parameter. A significant increase in food intake between 2nd and 4th instars was seen for An. culicifacies, but not An. varuna. Food indices were lower in An. varuna than in An. culicifacies when the 2 species co-occurred, indicating competition for food, and the implications of this to adult body size, survival, and fecundity are discussed.

The efficacy of granular media CO₂ sachets used in conjunction with Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) miniature light traps with light bulbs removed and modifications of bucket size and color to infusion-baited gravid traps was assessed from June through August of 2004 in Urbana, IL. The sachet packets caught significantly more mosquitoes and mosquito species compared with traps containing no CO₂ bait; however, they also caught significantly fewer mosquitoes and fewer mosquito species compared with traps baited with dry ice. Pairing CO₂-generating sachets with various dosages of octenol did not significantly increase the numbers of mosquitoes or mosquito species compared with traps baited only with sachets. When comparing modifications in the bucket size of gravid traps, the larger bucket (1,645-cm² surface area holding about 5.3 liters of infusion) caught significantly more mosquitoes compared with the smaller bucket (759-cm² surface area holding about 3.0 liters of infusion). Bucket color (green, blue, or black) did not affect the total number of mosquitoes caught.

Mosqutio larvicidal activity of Chamaecyparis obtusa leaf-derived materials against the 4th-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.), Ochlerotatus togoi (Theobald), and Culex pipiens pallens (Coquillett) was examined in the laboratory. A crude methanol extract of C. obtusa leaves was found to be active (percent mortality rough) against the 3 species larvae; the hexane fraction of the methanol extract showed a strong larvicidal activity (100% mortality) at 100 ppm. The bioactive component in the C. obtusa leaf extract was characterized as β-thujaplicin by spectroscopic analyses. The LC₅₀ value of β-thujaplicin was 2.91, 2.60, and 1.33 ppm against Ae. aegypti, Oc. togoi, and Cx. pipiens pallens larvae. This naturally occurring C. obtusa leaves–derived compound merits further study as a potential mosquito larval control agent or lead compound.

A modular and novel assay system for rapid mass screening of chemical compounds for contact irritant and spatial repellent actions against adult mosquitoes is described. The responses of Aedes aegypti to various concentrations of 3 topical repellents, deet, Bayrepel®, and SS220, were evaluated. At treatment concentrations ≥25 nmol/cm² of SS220, mosquitoes exhibited significant contact irritant (escape) and spatial repellent (movement away from the chemical source) responses, whereas, a 10-fold increase in the treatment concentration of deet and Bayrepel was required to produce similar responses. The novel bioassay system detected contact irritancy and spatial repellency activity with reproducible results and provided baseline data for determining minimum effective concentrations for other chemicals. The system is compact in size, easy to decontaminate, and requires only a minute quantity of chemical compound.

The 15th Annual Latin American symposium presented by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) was held as part of the 71st Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in April 2005. The principal objective, as for the previous 14 symposia, was to promote participation in the AMCA by vector control specialists, public health workers, and academicians from Latin America. This publication includes summaries of 40 presentations that were given orally in Spanish or presented as posters by participants from 8 countries in Latin America and the USA. Topics addressed in the symposium included results from chemical and biological control programs and studies; studies of insecticide resistance; and population genetics, molecular, ecological, and behavioral studies of vectors of dengue (Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus) and other arboviruses, malaria (Anopheles albimanus. An. aquasalis, An. neomaculipalpus, An. pseudopunctipennis), leishmaniasis (Lutzomyia), and Chagas Disease (Triatoma), as well as a vaccine for control of Boophilus ticks on cattle.

Organisms manipulated as biological control agents of disease vectors should tolerate ranges of developmental conditions exploited by their target species. Furthermore, they should reduce numbers of host-seeking vector adults without providing fitness benefits to larval survivors developing among fewer competitors. We studied electrochemistry in rat-chewed coconuts, an important developmental habitat used by Aedes polynesiensis, a vector of lymphatic filariasis. We also studied the effects of larval density and predation by the mosquito Toxorhynchites amboinensis as predators of Ae. polynesiensis. The predators significantly reduced survival rates of Ae. polynesiensis and numbers of males and females developing in coconut husks. Adults from cohorts of Ae. polynesiensis exposed to predators emerged at the same time and were equal in size to adults emerging from predator-free cohorts. No differences were detected in the numbers or sizes of Ae. polynesiensis reaching adulthood among the densities tested. At least for this common natural habitat, Tx. amboinensis gave a good level of biological control of the vector Ae. polynesiensis.

Hilmilin (diflubenzuron), an insect growth regulator, was tested for efficacy against Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles culicifacies, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus in the laboratory and in field conditions. Fifty percent and 90% lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀) of Hilmilin formulations were determined by exposing early 4th-stage larvae to serial dilutions of the formulation, and data were subjected to log probit analysis. Two doses (0.004 and 0.008 g/m²) were applied in different breeding habitats of mosquitoes with the help of stirrup pumps. Percent inhibition of adult emergence was compared according to a previously described procedure. Laboratory results revealed that both 25WP (wettable powder) and 22SL (semiliquid) formulations showed more or less the same degree of efficacy against tested mosquito species (P < 0.05). Of 4 species tested, An. stephensi was more susceptible, followed by An. culicifacies, Ae. aegypti, and Cx. quinquefasciatus. One hundred percent inhibition of adult emergence was observed at a dose of 0.0125 ppm (25WP and 22SL) against all mosquitoes tested in the laboratory. Both formulations showed almost similar effect when applied in the field at doses of 0.004 and 0.008 g/m² in their respective preferential breeding habitats. However, the effect was more pronounced at a higher concentration (0.008 g/m²) against all species of mosquitoes. Hilmilin at a dose of 0.008 g/m² can be used to contain mosquito breeding in stone quarries, pools, cement tanks, unused wells, unused coolers, and irrigation channels.

A sample of Aedes aegypti L. from Santiago de Cuba with a high level of deltamethrin resistance (113.7× at the 50% lethal concentration [LC₅₀]), was subjected to deltamethrin selection to determine the capacity of this population to evolve higher resistance under intensive laboratory selection pressure, to characterize that resistance, to attempt to identify some of the mechanisms involved, and to use it as a reference strain for future molecular research. High resistance developed after 12 generations of selection (1,425×). After selection for 12 generations with deltamethrin, the Santiago de Cuba colony (SAN-F12) showed little or no cross-resistance to the organophosphates evaluated, but high cross-resistance was observed for all the pyrethroids in larvae from this strain: lambdacyhalothrin (197.5×), cypermethrin (45×), and cyfluthrin (41.2×). Adult bioassays reveal that a SAN-F12 strain was resistant to the pyrethroid and the organochlorine dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). Synergism tests implicated detoxifying esterase or glutathione S-transferase (GST) and monooxygenase in pyrethroid resistance. Biochemical tests reveal that acetylcholinesterase was not involved in deltamethrin resistance. The frequency of GST enzyme increased from 0.43 in Santiago de Cuba to 0.88 in SAN-F12. Esterase frequency increased from 0.12 in Santiago de Cuba to 0.63 in SAN-F6 and it diminished to 0.38 in SAN-F12. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and inhibition study suggests the presence of elevated esterase activity not associated with pyrethroid resistance. The presence of both DDT and pyrethroid resistance in the SAN-F12 strain suggests the presence of a knockdown (Kdr)-type resistance mechanism, although the frequency of this mechanism was low. Resistance to deltamethrin could be associated with esterase or GST mechanisms, and more investigation is required. This information contributes to the improvement of resistance management strategies in the Cuban Ae. aegypti control program.

Three Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (BTi) formulations, the bacterial metabolite spinosad, and 7 synthetic insecticides were bioassayed against 4th instars of Chironomus tepperi, a serious pest of rice in southern Australia. The BTi formulations returned 48-h product median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values (25 ± 1°C) of between 0.59 mg/liter (VectoBac® water-dispersible granule [WDG], 3,000 international toxic units [ITU]/mg) and 2.15 mg/liter (Teknar® suspension concentrate [SC], 1,200 ITU/mg). When LC₅₀ values were adjusted to reflect nominal ITU values of the 3 products, there was still substantial variation, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 1,770 ITU/liter (VectoBac WDG) to 2,580 ITU/liter (Teknar SC). Aquabac® SC (1,200 ITU/mg) showed intermediate activity. Differential activity between formulations may reflect faster settling rates in the more active formulations, which may be a beneficial characteristic when controlling benthic species such as C. tepperi. Spinosad (24-h LC₅₀=28.9 μg active ingredient [AI]/liter) and the synthetic insecticides we evaluated were all substantially more active than BTi. The highest activity was shown by the neonicotinoid compounds thiacloprid, acetamiprid, and clothianidin, which all returned 24-h LC₅₀ values between 1 and 3 μg AI/liter. Indoxacarb and thiomethoxam showed the lowest activity of the synthetic compounds evaluated.

Pupal paddle characters of Aedes albopictus that will quickly differentiate this species from other container-inhabiting species in the United States are described, illustrated, and compared with 2 other container species that have somewhat similar paddles, but with very different characters. Additional noncontainer species that possess slightly similar characters are also discussed. Citations for other published illustrations of the characters, pupal sexing methods, and published keys to pupae are provided, as are laboratory methods and the distributions for the species.

The 1st confirmed record of Culex coronator for Louisiana was made at Fort Polk, LA, from carbon dioxide–baited light trap and gravid trap collections performed from April to October 2004. In addition to the new record, 17 mosquito species in 5 genera (Aedes, Anopheles, Coquillettidia, Culex, and Psorophora) were collected. Collection-site and species distribution data are included.

Mosquito collections were carried out in August 2002 and July 2003 in Japan. Anopheles sinensis of the Hyrcanus Group, Myzomyia Series of Anopheles, was the most common species encountered. The distribution and habitats of 5 Anopheles Hyrcanus Group species are included. Eight species belonging to Aedes, Culex, and Uranotaenia were found associated with An. sinensis in rice paddies and a variety of other larval habitats.

The 1st scanning electron microscopic study of the antennae of female Anopheles barbirostris van der Wulp revealed the presence of a sunken patch of 7–10 sensilla in well-developed sockets borne in an unusual location. Such sensilla have not been reported in any species of Anopheles, Culex, or Aedes. The position and arrangement of these sensilla are reported in this communication.

During a mosquito survey in Ulu Gombak, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia, October 2–16, 2003, we observed a peculiar oviposition habit of Armigeres flavus. This strange behavior is described and illustrated with photographs; although it is well known, no detailed description has been made previously.

Beginning in January 2002 and ending in November 2003, data were collected on the size (eggs/egg raft) and occurrence of egg rafts laid by Culiseta incidens within 5 miles of Fort Lewis, WA. Culiseta incidens initiated oviposition in late March to early April and ceased oviposition in September–October. Twenty egg rafts from Culex pipiens, a larval habitat associate of Cs. incidens, were also collected during this study and that information is reported. Culex pipiens initiated oviposition in late May, and termination of oviposition appeared to occur in late August. The range of the number of eggs per raft was 59–329 for Cs. inicidens and 218–413 for Cx. pipiens.

Malaria constitutes a major public health problem on Mayotte Island, with the major vector being Anopheles gambiae s.s. The seeming disappearance of An. funestus, the 2nd vector on the island, was observed 15 years ago. Now, the presence of An. funestus during the biting collections performed in November and December 2004 confirms the re-emergence of this vector, which plays an important role in malaria transmission with An. gambiae.

West Nile virus (WNV) was detected by Taqman reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 4 of 85 (4.7%) blood-engorged (n = 2) and unengorged (n = 2) Icosta americana (Leach) hippoboscid flies that were collected from wild raptors submitted to a wildlife rehabilitation center in Mercer County, NJ, in 2003. This report represents an additional detection of WNV in a nonculicine arthropod in North America and the first documented detection of the virus in unengorged hippoboscid flies, further suggesting a possible role that this species may play in the transmission of WNV in North America.

The toxicity of methylated coconut oil (MCO) was compared with a commercially available oil larvicide (Golden Bear Oil ® GB-1111) in laboratory bioassays of 4th-stage larvae of Anopheles farauti Laveran and Culex annulirostris Skuse. Both larvicides were more toxic to Cx. annulirostris than to An. farauti and the LD₅₀ (dose lethal to 50% of the test organisms) after 24 h exposure indicated that MCO was more toxic than GB-1111 for both An. farauti (LD₅₀ = 8.6 μl versus 13.0 μl/156 cm2) and Cx. annulirostris (LD₅₀ = 1.2 μl versus 3.6 μl/156 cm2). However, for LD₉₅ GB-1111 was more toxic than MCO for both An. farauti (LD₉₅ = 29 μl versus 48.0 μl/156 cm2) and Cx. annulirostris (LD₉₅ = 7.2 μl versus 18.0 μl/156 cm2). Further study of MCO is warranted and may determine whether the addition of surfactant to MCO will lower the LD_95. The possibility of community participation in the production and use of coconut products including MCO for malaria vector control is discussed.

Field trials comparing commercially available repellent formulations containing picaridin (1-piperidinecarboxylate acid, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-methylpropylester) and deet (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) against mosquitoes in Northern Territory, Australia, were conducted. Three repellents were compared: Autan Repel containing 9.3% picaridin, RID® containing 10% deet, and Bushman Ultra™ containing 80% deet in a gel. The predominant mosquito species collected were Culex annulirostris Skuse (63.2%), Ochlerotatus normanensis (Taylor) (19.6%), and Anopheles meraukensis Venhuis (8.6%). Autan Repel provided >95% protection against all mosquitoes for 2 h, RID for 7 h, and Bushman for >8 h. Against Cx. annulirostris, Autan Repel provided >95% protection for 5 h, RID for 7 h, and Bushman for >8 h. The study showed that both deet formulations provided significantly better protection against mosquitoes than picaridin (Autan Repel). All 3 repellents provided good protection against Cx. annulirostris, an important vector of arboviruses in Australia.

The effects of the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen were evaluated on the mortality, fecundity, longevity, and predation capability of 2 species of copepods, Mesocyclops pehpeiensis Hu and Megacyclops viridis (Jurine), under laboratory conditions. Pyriproxyfen showed no significant effects on either the development or reproduction of M. pehpeiensis at 0.1 ppm, which is a 10-fold greater concentration than the reported effective dosage for controlling mosquito larvae (0.01 ppm). In contrast, the development of M. viridis was impaired by pyriproxyfen at 0.1 ppm. An 80% reduction in nauplius survivorship was observed in the experimental (treated) group compared with the control group. Although the application of pyriproxyfen caused high mortality in the nauplius stage of this species, the pyriproxyfen-treated group developed faster, killed more mosquito larvae, yielded more eggs per oviposition event, and survived longer than the control group. These results indicate that pyriproxyfen caused mortality in the earlier stages of this sensitive species but that the surviving individuals were those that were selected for significantly faster development, better predation ability, and greater longevity during their reproductive stage. Therefore, under natural conditions, pyriproxyfen would cause modifications in the characteristics of a copepod population rather than its complete loss. Our results suggest that the combined application of copepods and pyriproxyfen to control Aedes populations is feasible. However, repeated application of pyriproxyfen may cause changes in copepod populations and communities in the affected ecosystem.

Woodlice, Porcellionides pruinosus, were not killed when exposed to granular Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. Mortality was observed when woodlice received a topical application of the highest concentration of liquid Bti, but not at lower concentrations, nor when exposed via contaminated food or contaminated substrates.

In a laboratory investigation of tadpoles of 4 Australian frogs, Limnodynastes peronii, Limnodynastes tasmaniensis, Litoria aurea, and Litoria peronii, there was no evidence of active predation on larvae of Culex annulirostris. The mortality of larvae was greatest when exposed to the tadpoles of Litoria spp., which may have been the result of specific foraging behavior. Results indicate that Litoria spp. tadpoles may have a minor impact on mosquito populations, but they are unlikely to be useful biological control agents in Australia.

Among the characteristics of spinosad that are worth noting is its environmentally favorable toxicity profile. It is a compound of biological origin, whose insecticide action is highly effective against a great number of insects. Laboratory larval bioassays of spinosad on Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles gambiae (specimens that were either susceptible or resistant to pyrethroids, carbamates, and organ-ophosphates) showed that this product had a lethal action (mortality after 24 h of exposure) regardless of the original status, susceptible or resistant, of the mosquito larvae.

The use of octenol in combination with carbon dioxide (CO₂)-baited encephalitis virus surveillance (EVS) mosquito traps was evaluated under simulated wartime operational conditions during Operation Tandem Thrust (TT01) at the Shoalwater Bay Training area, Queensland, Australia in 2001. A greater number of mosquito species were captured in traps baited with octenol plus CO₂ than those baited with CO₂ or octenol in the saltwater marsh, Freshwater Beach. In the inland environments of Camp Growl and Raspberry Creek, the addition of octenol did not significantly increase the numbers of mosquito species captured. Trap treatment (octenol only, CO₂ only, or octenol plus CO₂) influenced the species captured at Freshwater Beach. More Ochlerotatus vigilax, Mansonia uniformis, and Coquillettidia xanthogaster were captured in traps baited with octenol plus CO₂, and more Anopheles were captured in traps baited with CO₂ only. The most commonly captured (83%) mosquito species in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during TT01 was the salt marsh breeder and Ross River virus vector, Oc. vigilax.