James E. Pecor

Potential for North American mosquitoes to transmit Rift Valley fever virus.

ABSTRACT The rapid spread of West Nile viral activity across North America since its discovery in 1999 illustrates the potential for an exotic arbovirus to be introduced and widely established across North America. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) has been responsible for large outbreaks in Africa that have resulted in hundreds of thousands of human infections and major economic disruption due to loss of livestock and to trade restrictions. However, little is known about the potential for North American mosquitoes to transmit this virus should it be introduced into North America. Therefore, we evaluated selected mosquito species from the southeastern United States for their ability to serve as potential vectors for RVFV. Mosquitoes were fed on adult hamsters inoculated 1 day previously with RVFV. These mosquitoes were tested for infection and ability to transmit RVFV after incubation at 26°C for 7–21 days. None of the species tested (Aedes taeniorhynchus, Ae. vexans, Culex erraticus, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and Cx. salinarius) were efficient vectors after they fed on hamsters with viremias ranging from 104.1 to 106.9 plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml. However, Ae. taeniorhynchus, Ae. vexans, and Cx. erraticus all developed disseminated infections after they fed on hamsters with viremias between 108.5 and 1010.2 PFU/ml, and both Ae. vexans and Cx. erraticus transmitted RVFV by bite. These studies illustrate the need to identify the ability of individual mosquito species to transmit RVFV so that appropriate decisions can be made concerning the application of control measures during an outbreak.

Determinants of Anopheles seasonal distribution patterns across a forest to periurban gradient near Iquitos, Peru.

As part of a field ecology study of arbovirus and malaria activity in the Amazon Basin, Loreto Department, Peru, we collected mosquitoes landing on humans at a forest site and inside and outside of residences and military barracks at periurban, rural, and village sites. We collected 11 Anopheles spp. from these four sites. An. darlingi, the principal malaria vector in the region, accounted for 98.7% of all Anopheles spp. collected at Puerto Almendra. Peaks in landing activity occurred during the December and April collection periods. However, the percent of sporozoite-positive Anopheles spp. was highest 1-2 months later, when landing activity decreased to approximately 10% of the peak activity periods. At all sites, peak landing activity occurred about 2 hours after sunset. These data provide a better understanding of the taxonomy, population density, and seasonal and habitat distribution of potential malaria vectors within the Amazon Basin region.

FIRST RECORD OF CULEX (CULEX) CORONATOR IN LOUISIANA, USA

ABSTRACT 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.

Mosquitoes of eastern Amazonian Ecuador: biodiversity, bionomics and barcodes

Two snapshot surveys to establish the diversity and ecological preferences of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the terra firme primary rain forest surrounding the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the UNESCO Yasuní Biosphere Reserve of eastern Amazonian Ecuador were carried out in November 1998 and May 1999. The mosquito fauna of this region is poorly known; the focus of this study was to obtain high quality link-reared specimens that could be used to unequivocally confirm species level diversity through integrated systematic study of all life stages and DNA sequences. A total of 2,284 specimens were preserved; 1,671 specimens were link-reared with associated immature exuviae, all but 108 of which are slide mounted. This study identified 68 unique taxa belonging to 17 genera and 27 subgenera. Of these, 12 are new to science and 37 comprise new country records. DNA barcodes [658-bp of the mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase ( COI ) I gene] are presented for 58 individuals representing 20 species and nine genera. DNA barcoding proved useful in uncovering and confirming new species and we advocate an integrated systematics approach to biodiversity studies in future. Associated bionomics of all species collected are discussed. An updated systematic checklist of the mosquitoes of Ecuador (n = 179) is presented for the first time in 60 years.

HABITATS AND DISTRIBUTION OF ANOPHELES SINENSIS AND ASSOCIATED ANOPHELES HYRCANUS GROUP IN JAPAN

ABSTRACT 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.

New record and updated checklists of the mosquitoes of Afghanistan and Iraq

Abstract : This report includes a new distribution record and updated checklists of the mosquitoes known to occur in both Afghanistan and Iraq, based on our field collections from various localities during 2003-2005 and on accessioned specimens deposited in the U. S. National Museum of Natural History (USNMNH), Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

Enzootic Arbovirus Surveillance in Forest Habitat and Phylogenetic Characterization of Novel Isolates of Gamboa Virus in Panama.

Landscape changes occurring in Panama, a country whose geographic location and climate have historically supported arbovirus transmission, prompted the hypothesis that arbovirus prevalence increases with degradation of tropical forest habitats. Investigations at four variably degraded sites revealed a diverse array of potential mosquito vectors, several of which are known vectors of arbovirus pathogens. Overall, 675 pools consisting of 25,787 mosquitoes and representing 29 species from nine genera (collected at ground and canopy height across all habitats) were screened for cytopathic viruses on Vero cells. We detected four isolates of Gamboa virus (family:Bunyaviridae; genus:Orthobunyavirus) from pools of Aedeomyia squamipennis captured at canopy level in November 2012. Phylogenetic characterization of complete genome sequences shows the new isolates to be closely related to each other with strong evidence of reassortment among the M segment of Panamanian Gamboa isolates and several other viruses of this group. At the site yielding viruses, Soberanía National Park in central Panama, 18 mosquito species were identified, and the predominant taxa included A. squamipennis,Coquillettidia nigricans, and Mansonia titillans.

First Record and Demonstration of a Southward Expansion of Aedes albopictus into Orange Walk Town, Belize, Central America1

Abstract 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.

Amblyomma tapirellum (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from tropical forest canopy

Free-ranging ticks are widely known to be restricted to the ground level of vegetation. Here, we document the capture of the tick species Amblyomma tapirellum in light traps placed in the forest canopy of Barro Colorado Island, central Panama. A total of forty eight adults and three nymphs were removed from carbon dioxide-octenol baited CDC light traps suspended 20 meters above the ground during surveys for forest canopy mosquitoes. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of questing ticks from the canopy of tropical forests. Our finding suggests a novel ecological relationship between A. tapirellum and arboreal mammals, perhaps monkeys that come to the ground to drink or to feed on fallen fruits.

First Record of Culex (Anoedioporpa) restrictor from Colombia

Abstract We report the first record of Culex (Anoedioporpa) restrictor collected from a tree hole in the Cauca Valley, Colombia, in 2006.