The influence of acrylamide, a potentially toxic substance present in some types of food, on survival, postembryonic development and haemocytes, insect's blood cells, of the housefly was examined. Larvae were reared on media contaminated with acrylamide at concentrations of 82 microg/g, 164 microg/g or 246 microg/g. The length of larval ...

Parity rate, gonotrophic cycle length, and density of a Culex quinquefasciatus female population was estimated at the Parque Ecológico do Tietê (PET), São Paulo, Brazil. Adult Cx. quinquefasciatus females were collected from vegetation along the edges of a polluted drainage canal with the use of a battery-powered backpack aspirator from ...

A tissue digestion assay using a double separatory funnel procedure for the detection of Trichinella larvae in horse meat was validated for application in food safety programs and trade. The assay consisted of a pepsin-HCl digestion step to release larvae from muscle tissue and two sequential sedimentation steps in separatory ...

The effect of attractive sugar bait stations, including sucrose, juice of nectarine, slow-release substances, preservatives, red food-dye marker, and the oral insecticide spinosad, on Anopheles sergentii and Aedes caspius populations was studied in a small oasis in a southern desert of Israel. Feeding on similar baits without an insecticide was ...

Given the chemical properties of synthetic pyrethroids, it is probable that compounds, including esfenvalerate, that enter surface waters may become incorporated into aquatic insect food sources. We examined the effect of dietary esfenvalerate uptake in aquatic insects representing different functional feeding groups. We used three field-collected aquatic insect species: A ...

We investigated the impact of aquatic insect life stage and emergence strategy on sensitivity to esfenvalerate, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, using field-collected Brachycentrus americanus Banks (Trichoptera: Brachycentridae) and Cinygmula reticulata McDunnough (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae) insects. Final-instar C. reticulata emergence was observed for one week following three environmentally relevant, 48-h esfenvalerate exposures ...

Due to the importance of water variables conditions and available food in the development and survival of fish larvae, the current research evaluates the effects of two different food treatments (ration + zooplankton and only zooplankton) and water quality in tanks with Brycon orbignyanus larvae. Total water transparency (45 cm) ...

Although few indicators of time since death for corpses found in aquatic ecosystems are comparable in precision to the insect indicators used in terrestrial cases, there are observations that can be useful in suggesting or ruling out an approximate PMSI (postmortem submersion interval). For example, the time intervals required for ...

BACKGROUND: Malaria in The Gambia is highly seasonal, with transmission occurring as Anopheles gambiae s.l. populations expand during and immediately after a single annual rainy season that lasts from June to October. There has been very limited investigation of the ecology of vectors during the dry season, when numbers are ...

The larvivorous potential of Poecilia reticulata was studied in the laboratory and in the field. In the laboratory, the number of anopheline larvae consumed per fish per day and the number of larvae in fecal matter per fish were determined. In the field study, 29 of 60 selected riverbed pools ...

This study discusses the use of geoprocessing to identify key areas for Aedes aegypti control, based on the infestation index obtained in the Aedes aegypti Infestation Index Rapid Survey (LIRAa). The study was conducted in November 2004 in Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The results were analyzed on ...

Diet-tissue fractionation factors and metabolic turnover rates of delta15N and delta13C were assessed in laboratory-reared black fly (Simulium vittatum IS-7) larvae fed isotopically distinct diets. Five treatments consisted of using food with different delta15N signatures throughout the experiments (19-26 days), a sixth shifted from a low to high delta15N signature ...

BACKGROUND: The y-larva, a crustacean larval type first identified more than 100 years ago, has been found in marine plankton samples collected in the arctic, temperate and tropical regions of all oceans. The great species diversity found among y-larvae (we have identified more than 40 species at our study site ...

BACKGROUND: Entomological surveys are of great importance in decision-making processes regarding malaria control strategies because they help to identify associations between vector abundance both species-specific ecology and disease intervention factors associated with malaria transmission. Sporozoite infectivity rates, mosquito host blood meal source, bed net coverage and mosquito abundance were assessed ...

Textile materials treated with synthetic repellents have the potential to provide protection against insect disease vectors but lack the residual activity necessary to achieve a prolonged effect or to be cost-effective. DEET MC is a formulation of DEET (N,N diethyl-m-toluamide) in which the repellent is gradually released from a capsule ...

Upon attack by predators or parasitoids, aphids emit volatile chemical alarm signals that warn other aphids of a potential risk of predation. Release rate of the major constituent of the alarm pheromone in pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), (E)-b-farnesene (EBF), was measured for all nymphal and the adult stage as aphids ...

Symbiotic bacteria residing in the hindgut chambers of scarab beetle larvae may be useful in paratransgenic approaches to reduce larval root-feeding activities on agricultural crops. We compared the bacterial community profiles associated with the hindgut walls of individual Dermolepida albohirtum third-instar larvae over 2 years and those associated with their ...

A single choice test was performed to examine developmental strategies in the uniparental endoparasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis and its host, the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera. The results support the dome-shaped model in which the fitness functions are 'dome-shaped' relative to size (and age) of host at parasitism. Older and, hence, larger ...

Hexane extract obtained from leaves of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook was tested against larvae of Anopheles stephensi Liston, Culex quinquefasciatus Say and Aedes aegypti Linn to assess its toxicity and growth inhibiting activity. The results showed better activity of hexane extract against larvae of An. stephensi Liston as compared to the ...

Aedes albopictus were collected in the French military camp of Libreville, Estuaire Province, Gabon, from January to March 2007 by human landing catches during an entomological evaluation of malaria transmission. Inspection of potential larval habitats within and outside the camp showed that Ae. albopictus was found only in artificial containers ...

Pepsin powder constitutes a health risk, potentially causing severe allergic reactions to those handling the chemical. A fluid pepsin formulation was produced and tested, first in a preliminary study and then in a ring trial encompassing four European National Reference Laboratories (NRLs). The purpose of each trial was to ascertain ...

Females of Culex coronator were collected in Mobile, AL, during surveillance to direct mosquito control operations following Hurricane Katrina. A total of 249 specimens of this species were collected in light traps at 15 widely separated sites in the county. These represent the first confirmed specimens of Cx. coronator in ...

Autophagy, a cellular process of cytoplasmic degradation and recycling, is induced in Drosophila larval tissues during metamorphosis, potentially contributing to their destruction or reorganization. Unexpectedly, we find that flies lacking the core autophagy regulator Atg7 are viable, despite severe defects in autophagy. Although metamorphic cell death is perturbed in Atg7 ...

Culicoides imicola Kieffer (Culicoides, Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is the principal vector of bluetongue virus (BTV) to ruminant livestock in southern Europe. The secondary potential vectors are Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) and Culicoides scoticus Downes and Kettle of the Obsoletus Complex, Culicoides pulicaris (Linnaeus) of the Pulicaris Complex and Culicoides dewulfi Goetghebuer of ...

BACKGROUND AND METHOD: Variation in wing length among natural populations of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is associated with different vectorial capacities. Geometric morphometrics allowed us to use a more powerful estimator of wing size ('centroid size'), as well as to visualize the variation of wing shape, to describe ...

Toxicities of three chitin synthesis inhibitors (diflubenzuron, nikkomycin Z and polyoxin D) were evaluated using second instars of the common malaria mosquito, Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae). Neither nikkomycin Z nor polyoxin D at 50 microg/liter caused significant larval mortality, although they reduced the body weight of the survivors by ...

AIMS: To formulate the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana in invert emulsion, then apply it against adults of almond bark beetle (Scolytus amygdali) under laboratory and field conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect of formulated B. bassiana in invert emulsion against S. amygdali adults was shown by comparing the mortality percentage ...

The wash resistance of factory produced PermaNets (with deltamethrin bonded to the netting with a resin) was studied by bioassays with Anopheles stephensi. Commercial detergent powders were used to wash the nets. For comparison, conventionally treated nets were washed and bio-assayed. Nets were washed under laboratory conditions using a Rotary ...

Red imported fire ants (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta Buren, are medical, urban, and agricultural pests from South America. They are successful invaders due to their preference for disturbed habitats, high reproductive rates, and the ability to feed on a wide variety of food items (omnivorous). Fourth-instar larvae are used by the ...

Neem leaf dust and a commercial formulation of neem were tested on adult Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) and Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) to determine their effects on the longevity, fecundity and ovarian development. Different combinations of neem leaf dust and a commercial formulation of a neem compound incorporated with sugar solution and ...

In natural environments where food abundance and quality can change drastically over time, animals must continuously alter their food acquisition strategies. Although genetic variation contributes to this plasticity, the specific genes involved and their interactions with the environment are poorly understood. Here we report that natural variation in the Drosophila ...

Milling wheat, Triticum aestivum L., infested with low densities of internal feeding insects can result in flour containing insect fragments. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces a standard or defect action level stating that a maximum of 75 insect fragments per 50 g of flour is allowed. However, the ...

The following three species of Ceratopogonidae were collected breeding in the rhizomatous herb Phenakospermum guyannense Endl., 1833 in the vicinity of Manaus, Brazil, a new species, Culicoides (Mataemyia) felippebauerae Spinelli, Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) genualis (Loew), and F. (Phytohelea) musae Clastrier & Dellécole. C. (M.) felippebauerae is described and illustrated as adult, ...

We examined the survivorship of Anopheles gambiae s.l. Giles (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae and habitat productivity in three major habitat types in the western Kenya highlands. The age-specific distribution was determined for larvae and pupae, and survivorship curves were constructed. Larval-to-pupal survivorship was 6.8% in drainage ditches, 4.3% in cow hoofprints, ...

Movement of Ochlerotatus japonicus japonicus into virus-endemic areas in the USA has raised concern about its vector potential and prompted monitoring of its spread. The abundance and seasonal distribution of Oc. japonicus in southwestern Virginia was measured in 2003 and 2004 using gravid traps. In 2003, collections were made over ...

European green toads (Bufo viridis) were tested for one-sided forelimb lateralisation during prey ingestion, i.e., when pushing food into the mouth. Results showed that toads preferentially used their left forelimb to help themselves in the ingestion of living larvae. It is argued that previous failure to reveal lateralisation in tests ...

A longitudinal study of mosquito ecology in Tanyard Creek, an urban stream in Atlanta, GA, that receives combined storm and waste water effluent from the Atlanta combined sewage overflow system, was undertaken in 2006. Culex quinquefasciatus was the dominant species found, but Culex restuans was also abundant during the spring ...

The effects of sublethal dosages of insecticides applied to Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach (Homoptera: Aphidiidae) on the insecticide susceptibility of the surviving endoparasitoids, Cotesia plutellae Kurdjumov (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae), were studied in Shangjie, Minhou, China. The susceptibility to methamidophos and ...

To characterize the production patterns of the dengue virus vector Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culcidae), pupal surveys were conducted in selected neighborhoods of two major cities in Nicaragua. In León, 833 houses were visited in July and September 2003, corresponding to the beginning and middle of the dengue season; in ...

The current study focuses on a symbiotic bacterium found in the slender pigeon louse, Columbicola columbae (Insecta: Phthiraptera). Molecular phylogenetic analyses indicated that the symbiont belongs to the gamma subdivision of the class Proteobacteria and is allied to Sodalis glossinidius, the secondary symbiont of tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) and also ...

Red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), is a major pest of stored and processed grains that is tolerant of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin under most conditions. Laboratory assays demonstrated that desiccating conditions improved the efficacy of the fungus. For T. castaneum larvae exposed to B. bassiana at different vapor pressure ...

The nymphal locomotion ability (walking distance) of the stenophagous bean bug Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) was studied in each instar. We measured the walking distance using two systems. The walking distance in photophase was measured for 6 h using a tracking system with a charge coupled device (CCD) camera and computer ...

Feral Mexican fruit flies, Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae), were trapped in a citrus orchard in Mexico by using two types of synthetic food-odor lures, the AFF lure (Anastrepha fruit fly lure, APTIV, Inc., Portland, OR) and the BioLure (two-component MFF lure, Suterra LLC, Inc., Bend, OR). In Multilure traps ...

Distributions of lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), in litter of a compacted earth floor broiler house in southeastern Queensland, Australia, were studied over two flocks. Larvae were the predominant stage recorded. Significantly low densities occurred in open locations and under drinker cups where chickens had complete access, whereas ...

A review on some important aspects of zooplankton community in the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries, Goa, India is presented. Both these estuaries have more or less similar zooplankton fauna with nearly 20 different taxonomic groups. Crustaceans in general and copepods in particular, dominate the zooplankton community. Species belonging to the ...

To survive, food-deprived animals may be forced to forage under hostile conditions. We attempt to use genetically tractable Drosophila melanogaster as a model to elucidate molecular and neural mechanisms that drive a forager to engage in risk-prone food acquisition. Here we describe a paradigm for assessing hunger-driven food acquisition by ...

The effect of different food concentration, substratum, light periodicity, salinity, cyprid density and cyprid age on the settlement of Balanus improvisus were studies. Released larvae were mass reared in 0.6 L glass beakers to the cyprid stage. Then, attachment was monitored once a day. Chaetoceros calcitrans was used as food ...

In response to high population density or low food supply, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans enters an alternative larval stage, known as the dauer, that can withstand adverse conditions for prolonged periods. C. elegans senses its population density through a small-molecule signal, traditionally called the dauer pheromone, that it secretes into ...

To identify adaptive strategies of gall-inducing cecidomyiids, we studied the life history traits of Pseudasphondylia rokuharensis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a univoltine species inducing fruit galls on a deciduous shrub, Viburnum dilatatum. Although univoltine gall midges that are associated with trees or shrubs are usually difficult to rear from immature stages under ...

A twelve-month survey for mosquito predators was conducted in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, which is located in the arid tropics. The survey revealed the presence of five predaceous insects but only Anisops sp. (backswimmers) and Diplonychus sp. were common. Predatorial capacity and factors influencing this capacity were then assessed for adult ...