Medical and Veterinary Entomology最新文献

Blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) are notable for their painful bites and are significant vectors for various pathogens, posing risks to human and animal health. They are known vectors of several avian parasites such as Leucocytozoon Berestnev (Haemosporida: Leucocytozoidae), Trypanosoma Gruby (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) and filarioid nematodes (Nematoda: Onchocercidae). However, the prevalence of infections and vector competence for different species remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated wild-caught blackflies across various sites in Lithuania for their role as vectors of avian blood parasites, specifically Leucocytozoon, Trypanosoma, and filarioid nematodes, using microscopical analysis and molecular methods. A total of 229 female blackflies were collected, representing at least 10 species, with Simulium lineatum Meigen, S. equinum L. and S. maculatum Meigen being the most prevalent. Notably, S. cryophilum Rubtsov and S. rubzovianum Petrova were reported for the first time in Lithuania. Salivary glands or midgut of eight individuals were microscopically positive for parasites; Leucocytozoon sporozoites were the most common parasite stage (n=7), but trypanosomatid parasites were also detected (n=3). PCR analysis confirmed nine samples positive for at least one parasite, with Leucocytozoon detected in six samples, indicating the potential vector competence of S. cryophilum, S. rubzovianum, and S. aureum Fries. Trypanosoma avium Danilewsky and Trypanosoma theileri group Laveran, as well as monoxenous trypanosomatid Crithidia brevicula Frolov & Malysheva (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae), were detected. Splendidofilaria mavis Leiper (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) was also detected in blackflies. One specimen of S. cryophilum was positive for all three parasite genera, indicating the importance of this blackfly species in the transmission of avian parasites. This study adds new insights into the transmission dynamics of avian parasites among blackflies in Lithuania, highlighting the need for further research to explore ecological factors influencing vector competence and the epidemiology of avian blood parasites. These findings contribute to the understanding of blackfly-parasite relationships and underscore the necessity for targeted monitoring of avian blood parasites in changing ecological landscapes.

Insect infestation in grazing animals is an increasing problem due to factors such as global warming and increasing resistance to insecticides, which have a direct impact on animal health and welfare. According to reports from farmers, observations in zoopharmacognosy and the ingredients of commercial insecticides, various indigenous trees and shrubs with an insecticidal or repellent effect grow or can be planted on pastures. The aim of our systematic review (designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement) was to identify perennial woody plants from Switzerland and the wider alpine region with a potential to affect the most common dipteran insects that are relevant for grazing animals. Based on a preselection of 399 plants, 114 publications including 403 laboratory and 10 outdoor experiments were found. Essential oils were evaluated most frequently (326 experiments), followed by extracts (118 experiments). Most frequently investigated were the aromatic herbs (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) Thymus vulgaris L., Rosmarinus officinalis Spenner, Lavandula angustifolia Miller, Salvia officinalis L., and the trees Punica granatum L. (Myrtales: Lythraceae), Laurus nobilis L. (Laurales: Lauraceae), Pinus pinea L. (Pinales: Pinaceae), Juniperus communis L. (Cupressales: Cupressaceae), Olea europaea L. (Lamiales: Oleaceae) and Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertner (Fagales: Betulaceae). These were studied for their effect (repellent, larvicidal, adulticidal) on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae; Aedes spp., Anopheles spp., Culex spp.), and flies (Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), and Lucilia sericata Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae)). The results concerning repellent or insecticidal effects provide valuable information about which trees and shrubs should be tested in future outdoor studies involving grazing animals.

Sucking lice (Anoplura) are highly specific parasites that depend extensively on their mammal hosts for survival. However, the climate to which their hosts are exposed can cause changes in their populations, independent of the protection provided by their hosts. Despite its harsh climate, arid northern Chile is home to a wide variety of rodents, particularly cricetids. This area comprises four distinct ecoregions with different sub-climates. We aimed to evaluate the spatial and seasonal variability of sucking lice (Anoplura) parasitizing rodents in northern Chile. Specifically, we analysed the association of environmental variables and host density with the louse point prevalence (P%), mean abundance (_MA) and mean infestation intensity (_MI). Rodent samples were collected during autumn and spring of 2011 and summer and winter of 2012 in 13 sites representative of the Coastal Desert (CD), Continental (Interior) Desert (ID), Andean Tropical (AT) and Pre-Andean Tropical (PAT) ecoregions. A total of 992 rodents of eight species were captured and anaesthetized, and lice were collected and identified. The P%, _MA and _MI of lice were estimated. The association of climatic variables (temperature, precipitation and relative humidity) and host density (capture success as a proxy) with louse P% and _MA was assessed using Spearman correlation and Fisher's test. Four lice species were identified based on external morphology (Hoplopleuridae: Hoplopleura aitkeni Johnson, Hoplopleura reducta Ferris, Hoplopleura sp. travassosi group; Poliplacidae: Polyplax spinulosa (Burmeister)). Hoplopleura aitkeni and H. reducta showed significant seasonal differences in P%, _MA and _MI in the AT and PAT ecoregions. In contrast, the H. sp. travassosi group showed no significant seasonal variation. Polyplax spinulosa was found exclusively on introduced rodents in the ID ecoregion, with distinct seasonal variations observed in Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout and Rattus rattus Linnaeus (Muridae). We reported 17 new host–parasite associations, and one lice species not previously described in the country. This study demonstrates that seasonal environmental variation does not equally impact all lice species, emphasizing the need for further research into the ecological and biological drivers of these dynamics.

Leishmaniases are zoonotic diseases with outbreaks influenced by environmental factors that can alter their epidemiological profiles. They are transmitted to humans and other vertebrates through the bite of a female phlebotomine infected with parasites of the Leishmania genus. The aim of this study was to conduct an entomological survey of the phlebotomine fauna to determine the distribution of potential vectors of leishmaniases, as well as to diagnose Leishmania spp. and evaluate food content. A sample study on potential leishmaniases vectors was conducted in an Environmental Protection Area (EPA) and Tinguá Federal Biological Reserve (TFBR), Nova Iguaçu municipality, in Rio de Janeiro State. Light traps were used to collect insects in the two study areas from September 2019 to March 2020. The data were obtained from six monitoring stations (MSs): MS₁, MS₂ and MS₃ (EPA), and MS₄, MS₅ and MS₆ (TFBR). Traps were installed in intradomicile, peridomicile, and residual forests in the EPA, while they were set up in wild animal burrows and rock formations in the TFBR. Phlebotomine samples (Diptera, Psychodidae) obtained from different MS'_s were used to estimate the standardized index of species abundance (SISA), diagnose specimens as Leishmania spp., and analyse the blood food content of the female sand flies. Seven primary or potential vectors were detected in relation to the total number of collected sand flies. These included Nyssomyia intermedia in the intradomicile, peridomicile, and residual forests of the EPA. This species was not detected in the TFBR, but other potential vectors were observed in both areas. During the diagnosis of Leishmania spp. in the sand flies, one specimen of Psychodopygus hirsutus hirsutus was positive for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in the peridomicile (MS₃). A specimen of Psychodopygus davisi was observed feeding on Tamandua tetradactyla in MS₅ (TFBR), a potential reservoir of Leishmania. The presence of primary vectors, potential vectors, L. (V.) braziliensis, and a natural reservoir indicated the possible existence of a sylvatic and domestic transmission cycle in the American tegumentary leishmaniasis region.

Sarcoptes scabiei (Linnaeus) (Sarcoptiformes: Sarcoptidae), the cause of sarcoptic mange, has been documented as a pathogen affecting domestic and wild mammals, including coatis (Nasua spp. Storr (Carnivora: Procyonidae)). This parasitism impacts the health of infested animals and, in some cases, modifies the population dynamics of the affected species. The present study reports the first case of sarcoptic mange in a South American coati (Nasua nasua (Linnaeus)) from Peru. The Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre (SERFOR) rescued a coati from illegal trafficking in June 2024. The animal presented lesions compatible with sarcoptic mange, which was confirmed by morphologically diagnosing S. scabiei in the lesions. The mites were analysed molecularly, amplifying 1524 bp of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene using a PCR protocol. A 414 bp fragment of the cox1 sequence identified lineages identical to an Andean fox (Lycalopex culpaeus (Molina) (Carnivora: Canidae)) isolate of S. scabiei from Peru (OR362749). Future studies will be necessary to help understand the transmission of this mite between domestic and wild species.

The Hippoboscidae (Diptera) are a family of obligate blood-feeding ectoparasites of birds (louse flies) and mammals (keds) that are known to vector pathogenic agents. Citizen scientists collected 4365 hippoboscids of 12 species, from 117 host species, in the UK, Ireland and the Isle of Man, as part of the 'Mapping the UK's Flat Flies Project'. Of the 212 host-parasite interactions recorded, 70 were previously unreported in the region. Analyses of host characteristics showed evidence of niche separation by host size of the sympatric generalist species Ornithomya avicularia (L.) and Ornithomya fringillina (Curtis). Comparisons with data from a previous study, published in 1962, showed that all three generalist species in the genus Ornithomya increased their host associations during a period of climate and other anthropogenic changes: for example, the switch by some species of gulls (Laridae) to anthropogenic food sources has occurred over the same period that louse flies have started to parasitize them. These changes may have consequences for human and other animal health.

The mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) has long been suspected to be ineffective for species identification when employed alone. Some Lucilia (=Phaenicia) cuprina Wiedemann have mtDNA haplotypes closely resembling those of Lucilia sericata Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae), indicating paraphyly of L. cuprina with respect to L. sericata. Therefore, we evaluated the nuclear 28S rRNA and the mitochondrial cox1 genes to distinguish between L. cuprina and L. sericata using new DNA data from Northwest Africa. The current study provides the first evidence that L. cuprina occurs in Northwest Africa. The cox1 and the 28S genes were sequenced, and phylogenetic trees were constructed using the maximum likelihood method with 1000 bootstrap replicates. Sequencing yielded around 675 bp for cox1 and 633 bp for 28S. All the sequences were accurately identified using the BLASTn and submitted to GenBank. The 28S analysis confirmed the two species' mutual monophyly. In contrast, the cox1 analysis showed that L. cuprina is divided into two distinct clades, paraphyletic with respect to L. sericata. The 28S sequences clustered together do not exhibit any geographical consistency. Despite the paraphyletic relationship between L. sericata and the two forms of L. cuprina, mtDNA appears to be useful in differentiating between these two species. However, L. cuprina subspecies, L. cuprina cuprina (Wiedemann) and L. cuprina dorsalis Robineau-Desvoidy cannot be differentiated using the 28S and cox1 genes, nor can their distinctions be assumed based on their geographic locations, especially in regions where they are found in coexistence.

We conducted a study on different aspects of the biology and ecology of the recently described Rhipicephalus hibericus Millán, Rodríguez-Pastor and Estrada-Peña (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in agricultural and riparian habitats of its type locality (Zaragoza, north-east Spain), with a focus on seasonal dynamics of questing individuals and the identification of the main hosts (both through live-trapping and molecular blood meal analysis in questing adults). We further evaluated the effect of potential wildlife hosts (micro and meso-mammals, and birds), habitat (agrarian and natural) and climate variables such as temperature and relative humidity, on the dynamics of the three stages. The activity of the adults of R. hibericus was detected from early spring to early summer. Questing tick abundance was higher in the natural than in the agrarian habitats. Captures revealed that adult ticks parasitized meso-mammals in spring, while larvae and nymphs were found only in summer in the three dominant micromammals: the Algerian mouse (Mus spretus Lataste (Rodentia: Muridae)) (mean prevalence 52%), the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus Linnaeus (Rodentia: Muridae)) (44%) and the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula Hermann (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae)) (41%). No R. hibericus was detected on any live-trapped bird. Blood meal analysis of questing adults confirmed the prominent role of the Algerian mouse as the feeding source for nymphs but also revealed that they can also feed on other unidentified hosts, such as the red kite (Milvus milvus Linnaeus (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae)). This study aims to increase the knowledge of the biology of R. hibericus, as well as to provide information about the exposure to this tick species in an area where humans, wildlife, ticks and pathogens are in close contact.

Salt marsh mosquitoes must adapt to the ephemeral conditions of coastal areas. Historical findings from mark-release-recapture experiments, combined with accidental captures out at sea, suggest that salt marsh mosquitoes use wind-borne migration as one strategy to cope with temporally harsh environments. Considering the recent evidence reappraising the scale of wind-borne mosquito movement, we review the evidence for salt marsh mosquito migration and the possible evolutionary drivers. Source: Created with BioRender.com.

Viruses transmitted by biting midge species of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) affect and threaten human or animal health worldwide. In Mauritius, the risk of virus introduction through imported livestock or travellers is high, while serological evidence has demonstrated the circulation of two Culicoides-borne viruses in domestic ruminants and native deer, namely, bluetongue (BTV) and epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHDV) viruses. To this day, no data at the main island scale have been published on the diversity and distribution of Culicoides species present in Mauritius. A spatial survey across Mauritius was conducted using black light suction traps (OVI traps) from 10 to 20 April 2023. Nineteen farms were selected to cover a diversity of hosts and environments. The traps were operational from dusk to dawn, with a single night capture per site. While the presence of Culicoides imicola Kieffer and Culicoides enderleini Cornet and Brunhes in Mauritius was confirmed, two additional species were detected, Culicoides kibatiensis Goetgheguer and Culicoides bolitinos Meiswinkel. All species were distributed all over the island. Overall abundance ranged from 4 to 19,764 females, with a mean and median abundance of 2,010 and 352 individuals/night/site. The total number of individuals collected during the study was highest for C. imicola (21,065) and lowest for C. bolitinos (313). All four species are Afrotropical and are suspected or historically known to be involved in BTV and EHDV transmission. While intra-specific morphological variations were detected, genetic analyses did not reveal any cryptic diversity. This work has updated the faunistic inventory of the genus Culicoides of veterinary interest in Mauritius and established a list of 4 Afrotropical species known to be vectors and distributed on the island. The abundance of Culicoides was relatively low as compared to mainland Africa but in the range of other islands in the south-west Indian Ocean region. Further work will investigate the temporal dynamics of the four species to identify high-risk seasons.