Anopheles darlingi is a major vector for malaria in Central and South America. Behavioral, ecological, genetic, and morphologic variability has been observed across its wide distribution. Recent studies have documented that 2 distinct genotypes exist for An. darlingi: a northern lineage (Belize, Guatemala, Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama) and a southern lineage (Amazonia and southern Brazil). In order to determine if these genotypes exhibited different behavioral traits, entrance and exit movement patterns between 2 field populations of An. darlingi that represented each genotype were evaluated using experimental huts. The Belize population exhibited bimodal entrance, with peak entry occurring between 7:00–8:00 p.m. and 5:00–6:00 a.m. and peak exiting occurring between 7:00–8:00 p.m. The Peru population exhibited unimodal entrance, with peak entry occurring between 10:00–11:00 p.m. and peak exiting occurring between 11:00–12:00 a.m. with a secondary smaller peak at 2:30 a.m. Entrance and exit behavioral patterns were significantly different between the Belize and Peru populations of An. darlingi (log-rank [Mantel–Cox] P < 0.001). Information from the present study will be used in the future to determine if there is a correlation between genotype and host-seeking behavior and can be used in the present for regional vector risk assessment.

Dengue is a serious public health problem in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to compare the vertical infestation of Aedes population in 2 apartments in Kuala Lumpur with different status of dengue incidence (i.e., high-dengue-incidence area and area with no reported dengue cases). The study was also conducted to assess the relationship between environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and humidity and Aedes population that may influence Aedes infestation. Surveillance with a mosquito larvae trapping device was conducted for 28 continuous weeks (January to July 2012) in Vista Angkasa (VA) and Inderaloka (IL) apartments located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The results indicated that both Aedes spp. could be found from ground to higher floor levels of the apartments, with Aedes aegypti being more predominant than Ae. albopictus. Data based on mixed and single breeding of Aedes spp. on different floors did not show any significant difference. Both rainfall (R₃; i.e., the amount of rainfall collected during the previous 3 wk before the surveillance period began) and RH data showed significant relationship with the number of Aedes larvae collected in VA and IL. No significant difference was found between the numbers of Aedes larvae in both study areas as well as maximum and minimum temperatures. Results also indicated adaptations of Ae. aegypti to the ecosystem at each elevation of high-rise buildings, with Ae. albopictus staying inside of apartment units.

A recent innovation instrumented for the Dengue Prevention and Control program in Mexico is the use of the premises condition index (PCI) as an indicator of risk for the vector Aedes aegypti infestation in dengue-endemic localities of Mexico. This paper addresses whether further improvements for the dengue control program could be made if the prevalence and productivity of Ae. aegypti populations could be reliably predicted using PCI at the household level, as well as medium-sized neighborhoods. We evaluated the use of PCI to predict the infestation with Aedes aegypti (breeding sites and immature productivity) in Merida, Mexico. The study consisted of a cross-sectional survey based on a cluster-randomized sampling design. We analyzed the statistical association between Aedes infestation and PCI, the extent to which the 3 components of PCI (house maintenance, and tidiness and shading of the patio) contributed to the association between PCI and infestation and whether infestation in a given premises was also affected by the PCI of the surrounding ones. Premises with the lowest PCI had significantly lower Aedes infestation and productivity; and as PCI scores increased infestation levels also tended to increase. Household PCI was significantly associated with Ae. aegypti breeding, largely due to the effect of patio untidiness and patio shade. The mean PCI within the surroundings premises also had a significant and independent explanatory power to predict the risk for infestation, in addition to individual PCI. This is the 1st study in México showing evidence that premises condition as measured by the PCI is related to Ae. aegypti breeding sites and immature productivity. Results suggest that PCI could be used to streamline surveys to inform control efforts at least where Ae. aegypti breeds outdoors, as in Merida. The effect of individual premises, neighborhood condition, and the risk of Aedes infestation imply that the risk for dengue vector infestation can only be minimized by the mass effect at the community level.

Spinosad is a relatively new insecticide with a unique mode of action that is being evaluated for control of larval mosquitoes. Whereas a number of toxicological studies have measured effects of spinosad on various animals, few have been conducted on the effects of spinosad on nontarget, aquatic insect species. Such studies are important as these species might be found in the same environments as mosquito larvae targeted for control. A neighborhood pond was surveyed to find a representative species of mosquito as well as other common aquatic insects with which to examine susceptibility to spinosad and nontarget effects. The mosquito species chosen was Culex quinquefasciatus and the most common nontarget taxa were immature stages of a mayfly (Caenis sp., Ephemeroptera: Caenidae), a damselfly (Ischnura sp., Odonata: Coenagrionidae), and a dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis, Odonata: Libellulidae). Bioassays of mosquitoes from a reference susceptible strain (Sebring-S) and field collections of Cx. quinquefasciatus were used to determine susceptibility to spinosad. In addition, susceptibility was examined in nontarget taxa using spinosad concentrations corresponding to the LC₅₀ of field-collected mosquitoes (0.031 ppm) and the maximum label rate (1.6 ppm) of spinosad (Natular®EC). Susceptibility to spinosad did not differ between Sebring-S and field-collected mosquitoes. However, there was a marked difference in susceptibility among nontarget taxa. Susceptibility was greatest in Caenis sp., followed by Ischnura sp., and then P. longipennis.

Formulations of spinosad for mosquito and midge control (e.g., Natular®) are derived from the Saccharopolyspora spinosa bacterium. They offer a different mode of action from other larvicides. We tested the effectiveness of single-brood (2EC) and extended-release pellet (G30) formulations against larvae of Culex tarsalis and chironomid midges, at mid- to high label rates, in wetland mesocosms. We also monitored survival of mayfly nymphs and other nontarget insects. Both formulations were effective against mosquitoes for >4 wk and yielded excellent midge control. Spinosad caused mortality of mayflies and other nontarget insects. Spinosad was less toxic to mayflies than to targets, and effects on mayflies were undetectable after day 21. The higher toxicity for mosquitoes indicates that future research could identify rates that reduce nontarget effects while maintaining high efficacy.

Although dengue viruses are thought to be transmitted by Aedes aegypti in Puerto Rico, Aedes mediovittatus, the Caribbean tree hole mosquito, is also a potential vector. This species is native to the Greater Antilles and has been shown to be a competent vector of dengue viruses in the laboratory. Consequently, it has been suggested that Ae. mediovittatus could be acting as a secondary vector or virus reservoir. This study was part of an ongoing investigation into this, and it aimed to determine whether BG-Sentinel traps (BGS traps) could be used to collect adults of this mosquito and could be modified to increase the number of captures of this species in the field. We conducted experiments to test the relative attractiveness of BGS traps to Ae. mediovittatus and Ae. aegypti and explored the effects of chemical lures (BG-Lure, CO₂, octenol) and optical properties (color, size) on the capture rates of BGS traps in a large, outdoor cage in San Juan city, Puerto Rico. We also conducted field tests to compare modified BGS traps with the original traps in a rural community in Patillas municipality, Puerto Rico. Results obtained from the large, outdoor cage experiments indicated that trap captures of both mosquito species could be significantly enhanced by using black instead of white BGS traps combined with BG-Lure. Field experiments revealed that the modified traps captured a significantly greater number of Ae. aegypti, Ae. mediovittatus, and Culex quinquefasciatus, with greater sensitivity for the latter 2 species, and also captured a larger number of mosquito species and a smaller ratio of Ae. aegypti to Ae. mediovittatus, with greater than expected species co-occurrences.

Methoprene is a juvenile hormone analog commonly used for the control of mosquito larvae. It acts through interference with normal metamorphosis, resulting in mortality prior to and during adult emergence. Methoprene is not commonly used for the control of adult mosquitoes, due to an absence of acute effects. Here, we have evaluated for chronic effects caused by the exposure of adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to methoprene. We applied methoprene to adults, both through 1) topical application to the abdomen and 2) as an aerosol, examining for treatment effects on ovary development, adult longevity, and fecundity. The results demonstrate that relatively high doses are required to affect adult survivorship. In contrast, significant impacts on both fecundity and egg hatch were observed in females treated at the lower dosages. We discuss the results in relation to autocidal strategies for mosquito control in which the release of fecund females is to be avoided.

Using novel DNA sequence data, we designed a restriction enzyme assay that distinguishes Aedes atlanticus and Ae. tormentor, based on size polymorphisms. The restriction endonuclease Hpy188I digests polymerase chain reaction–amplified 2nd internal transcribed spacer products once for Ae. atlanticus and twice for Ae. tormentor, thus providing a useful method for identifying adult female collections that are generally considered morphologically indistinguishable.

The first record of Aedes albopictus in northern Belize was made in Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District, on November 3, 2011. Aedes spp. larvae were collected during a routine Ministry of Health mosquito survey and reared to adults. Upon emergence, a mixed population of Aedes aegypti (35) and Ae. albopictus (11) was observed (aegypti∶albopictus  =  3∶1). Subsequent larval and adult surveys in Orange Walk and Corozal District, also in northern Belize, have confirmed the presence of Ae. albopictus, thereby indicating the range expansion and establishment of this nuisance biter and potential disease vector in Belize.

Thule Air Base in western Greenland had a previously uncharacterized mosquito pest problem. Swarms of bloodfeeding mosquitoes have been reported from June to late August, but the species were unknown. We conducted a base-wide mosquito vector survey from June to July 2012. One species of mosquito, Aedes impiger, was collected and >3,000 were processed for polymerase chain reaction–based virus surveillance. Active mosquito breeding sites were located throughout the base and surrounding valley. Two pools of mosquitoes from Thule Air Base tested positive for an Orthobunyavirus; however, DNA sequencing of the viral amplicons was not complete enough to fully identify the agent.

The bacterial agent Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) is a highly effective larvicide against various medically important mosquito and black fly vector species. Recent formulations of this powerful larvicidal tool have been evaluated for their field efficacy in integrated mosquito management programs. Laboratory and controlled-condition trials have indicated long periods of residual efficacy, whereas field persistence is often much lower in duration. We investigated the residual persistence of high doses of 2 formulations of Bti, a water-dispersible granule (VectoBac® WDG; 16 mg/liter) and an extruded pellet (VBC-60066; 80 mg/liter), for the management of natural larval populations of Aedes albopictus. Laboratory tests demonstrated 100% (WDG) and ≥99.7% (VBC) average mortality across all treatments over 180 days. Field tests exhibited 100% efficacy (WDG and VBC) for 3 wk against Ae. albopictus and other coinhabiting mosquito species, with some residual efficacy lasting for >4 wk. These results are discussed in relation to current field control of domestic Aedes vectors of public health significance.

Use of microscope slides is the most commonly used method to field-assess the droplet spectrum of ultra-low volume (ULV) sprays. Due to absence of analysis facilities during military deployments, slides must be stored and shipped, and the impact of delays in processing and storage conditions on droplets is unknown. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of storage temperatures and duration on droplets on Teflon®-coated slides. Treatments included BVA-13 mineral oil, Kontrol 30-30 (30% permethrin), and Fyfanon® (96.5% malathion), 2 slide wrapping techniques (proper and improper), and 2 storage temperatures (23 and 45°C), replicated 6 times. The same areas of a slide were measured at different times for 56–58 days using the DropVision® droplet measurement system. Regardless of the wrapping technique, droplets of BVA-13, Fyfanon, and Kontrol 30-30 on slides stored at 45°C reduced significantly after 1, 2, and 1 day, respectively, but droplets on slides stored at 23°C were not significantly affected. The results of this study may assist vector control professionals to accurately interpret the droplet size and help in the effective dispersal of ULV-applied insecticides.