Field Evaluation of Fyfanon Ew Against Aedes Aegypti: A Low Odor Ultra-Low Volume Formulation of Malathion.

A low odor formulation of ultra-low volume (ULV) malathion (Fyfanon EW®) mosquito adulticide was evaluated in the field for its efficacy using caged female Aedes aegypti. Cages were placed in three rows, 30 m apart at 30, 60, and 90 m from the spray line. The product was applied at the manufacturer's suggested operational rate of 0.28 liter/min (9.5 fl oz/min) and at the maximum label rate of 0.37 liter/min (12.6 fl oz/min) with a Guardian 190ES truck mounted ULV sprayer. At 1 h post-treatment for the manufacturer's suggested operational rate, adult mortality ranged from 85% at 30 m to 46% at 90 m (overall average 65.5%). At 24 h post-treatment, mortality was significantly greater at each distance with complete control of caged mosquitoes at 30 m and >95% at 90 m. Overall, 24-h average mortality at this rate was 96.8%. At the maximum label rate, mosquito mortality at 1 h was considerably greater at all distances and ranged from about 89% to 75% with an overall average of 84.3%. At 24 h post-treatment, complete mortality was recorded at all transect distances at this higher rate. In conclusion, our results showed that at 24 h, Fyfanon EW® was considered very effective when applied by ULV truck mounted ground equipment for area-wide control of mosquitoes.

Two new records of flies causing myiasis from Saudi Arabia with a survey of flies parasitizing goats and sheep in Jazan Region.

Despite the medical, veterinary and forensic relevance of myiasis-causing flies, knowledge of their diversity in Saudi Arabia is limited especially in the southern region. Therefore, a survey of myiasis-causing flies in the Jazan region was carried out using Red Top Fly Catcher traps baited with either decomposing beef liver or a lure composed primarily from fishmeal during the period April 2013-March 2014. Twelve known species were identified and recorded in this study, seven species of them belonging to Calliphoridae (Chrysomya, Lucilia, and Hemipyrella) and five species belonging to Sarcophagidae (Sarcophaga). Two of these species were recorded for the first time for Saudi Arabia, namely Hemipyrella pulchra (Wiedemann, 1830) and Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) exuberans Pandellé, 1896. Images of the species recorded are also provided for the first time. The results expand the knowledge of geographical distribution, fauna, and habitat of the myiasis-causing flies in Saudi Arabia. Biological information and world-wide geographical distribution of these species are included together with some taxonomic remarks.

Spatial distribution modeling of Stegomyia aegypti and Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Al-bahah Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever and Rift Valley fever are the most important mosquitoborne diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The characteristic habitat requirements of Stegomyia aegypti and Culex tritaeniorhynchus, the two mosquito vectors will help in the identification of "high risk" areas in their development. Species distribution modelling was assessed by using MaxEnt software combined with geographical information systems (GIS) to predict suitable larval habitats for these two vectors and develop potential risk maps that can be used for their targeted control. Climate and topographical data layers from Worldclim and larval occurrence records were used to model these two vectors. The results showed that suitable habitats of St. aegypti are widely distributed only in the central region and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were in the central and southwestern parts of Al-Bahah Province. The highest predictive power was shown by topographical variables in St. aegypti modeling and the minor contributions were shown by precipitation and temperature related variables. The maximum contribution was shown by temperature related variables and minor contribution was shown by topographical and precipitation related variables in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus modeling. Linear regression model indicates non significant correlation between TDS/pH and species abundance of these two mosquitoes.

Ecology and habitat characterization of mosquitoes in Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) contains many of the world's mosquito vectors of parasitic and arboviral diseases. However, few studies addressed their geographic distribution and larval habitat characteristics. We carried out a 14-months mosquito survey in three KSA regions: Makkah and Al-Baha (western) and Jezan (south-western). Larvae were collected by dipping from various water habitats and adults by CDC light and BG sentinel traps. Climatic conditions and physicochemical characteristics of collection sites were recorded. We collected a total of 3331 mosquitoes {larvae (n= 2766, 83%) and adults (n= 565, 17%)} of 21 species from six genera (8 Anopheles, 8 Culex, 1 Aedes and 3 others). Larval water habitats included streams, rocky pits, seepage, leakage and containers (plastic and concrete). Of the total larvae collected, 52% (n= 1439) were Anopheles, 44.3% (n= 1226) were Culex, 0.51% (n= 14) were Aedes aegypti and 3.1% (n= 87) were from four other species. The most abundant species were Culex tritaeniorhynchus (n=1008, ~36.3%) and Anopheles dthali (n= 976, ~35.3%). The medically-important species were Anopheles arabiensis (n= 128) and Anopheles sergenti (n= 58), vectors of malaria and Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex quinquefasciatus (n= 53) and Ae. aegypti (n= 14), vectors of arboviral diseases. Three species are new records in KSA and all from Jezan: Anopheles superpictus (n= 3), Culex duttoni (n= 1) and Culex mimeticus (n= 1), however the numbers were very low, which requires further investigations. Only two species were collected in the adult stage, Cx. quinquefasciatus (n= 561: 551 females and 10 males) from Makkah and Culex theileri (n= 4, all females) from Al-Baha. Only 3.8% (n= 21) of Cx. quinquefasciatus females were blood-fed. This study provides new information on the bionomics of 21 mosquito species in KSA including six dominant vector species and thus adds to the scarce data available on them. This information is essential to better understand mosquito population dynamics in relation to disease transmission and control.

Breeding habitats characterization of Anopheles mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) in Najran Province, Saudi Arabia.

An ecological study on mosquito larval breeding habitats was conducted in Najran Region, Saudi Arabia during 2005-2006 to study the breeding habitats determinants for Anopheles mosquito in two ecological types (cities and villages). The increased rate of developmental activities promotes man-made mosquito breeding habitats, which regulate Anopheles mosquito abundance or absence. The linear regression analysis revealed that An. gambiae s.l. abundance or absence is regulated by the presence of natural water habitats, which has the highest rate (79%) in villages. Other ecological, biological and physiochemical predictors for Anopheles mosquito larvae abundance or absence in the two ecological types were discussed.