Mosquito Fauna in the Mangroves of Yucatan, Mexico, and Identification of Alphavirus RNA.

The surveillance of arboviruses in mangrove mosquitoes is a neglected topic in Mexico. The Yucatan State is part of a peninsula and, therefore, is rich in mangroves along its coast. The purpose of the study was to identify alphavirus in the mosquito fauna of mangroves. Mosquitoes were captured in mangrove settings in seven communities in Yucatan between June 2019 and August 2021. From 1900 to 2200 h and from 0500 to 0800 h, mosquitoes were captured with a backpack-mounted aspirator. In total, 3,167 female mosquitoes of five genera and nine species were captured. Aedes taeniorhynchus and Anopheles crucians were the most abundant mosquitoes collected. Mosquitoes were sorted into 210 pools and tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for alphavirus ribonucleic acid (RNA). Alphavirus RNA was found in Ae. taeniorhynchus, An. pseudopunctipennis, and An. crucians collected in the Celestun Mangrove. The community is part of the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve, and the presence arbovirus-infected mosquitoes could pose a health risk to residents and visitors alike in the area.

Mites associated with budgerigars Melopsittacus undulatus (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) and the first report of Ornithonyssus bursa (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) in Mexico.

Background: Hematophagous mites affect numerous bird species, causing severe injuries to the budgerigars. Some species can cause dermatitis in humans. Aims: The purpose was to morphologically identify the mites related to budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and their nests in Yucatan, Mexico. Methods: In May 2022, a private budgerigar hatchery was visited and mites were collected from the bodies of the birds and their nests. The morphological traits of the mites were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Results: Four of 30 birds showed severe clinical signs of mite infestation. The Budgerigars revealed lesions in the cere, nostrils, eyelids, beak, and paws. The bird's skin showed signs of dryness and beige coloring. The birds with severe damage also presented anorexia and had deformed paws and beaks. The parasitosis was caused by the "burrowing mites," Knemidocoptes pilae. The burrowing mites and the Grallacheles bakeri were recovered and identified from paw scabs. To eliminate mites, a topical application of Ivermectin was administered to the necks of the birds. The dose was a single, which has a residuality of 21 days. Two drops (0.115 mg/ml) of ivermectin were applied to each bird. A gradual reduction in crusted lesions due to mite mortality was noted. The "tropical fowl mite" Ornithonyssus bursa was identified in the nests, which represents the first record in Mexico. Conclusions: Three species of mites were discovered in a single budgerigar hatchery. This emphasizes the importance of deworming birds and keeping a clean environment in their cages to reduce the potential for parasitic mite infestation.

New State Record for Culex rejector and Cx. restrictor in Yucatan, Mexico.

Several known mosquito species occur in the Mexican state of Yucatan, including competent and suspected vectors responsible for transmitting zoonotic arboviruses. Between February and July 2022, mosquito collections were carried out in several forested areas in Yucatan. As part of the ongoing monitoring, we present the first reports of Culex (Microculex) rejector and Cx. (Anoedioporpa) restrictor. Another 14 species were identified during the monitoring: Aedes albopictus, Ae. bimaculatus, Ae. tormentor, Ae. cozumelensis, Anopheles albimanus, Cx. coronator s.l., Cx. erraticus, Cx. lactator, Cx. salinarius, Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Limatus durhamii, Psorophora ciliata, Toxorhynchites theobaldi, and Wyeomyia mitchellii. Currently, the mosquito fauna in Yucatan consists of 65 species. The subgenera Microculex and Anoedioporpa had not been documented in Yucatan State prior to the current investigation.

Frequency of the L1014F Mutation in the Sodium Channel Gene, in Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Populations From Rural and Urban Areas of Yucatan State, Mexico.

Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) is a mosquito species that has attracted a lot of attention from a medical and veterinary point of view; however, little is known about the frequency of L1014F mutations that have been found in the sodium channel gene, with this being a target for DDT and pyrethroid insecticides. The distribution and frequency of the L1014F mutation in Cx. quinquefasciatus populations was determined in rural and urban areas of Yucatan, Mexico from January 2015 to March 2016. Nine hundred fifty adult females out of 17,727 immature states were collected and analyzed in all sites sampled (n = 10). Susceptible homozygotes were identified (L1014/L1014) in 12% (114/950), heterozygous individuals (F1014/L1014) in 34% (323/950), and mutated homozygotes (F1014/F1014) in 54% (513/950) during the dry and rainy seasons. In this work, study areas with a high frequency of L1014F mutation were identified. These findings may help guarantee a more effective and efficient use of the resources available for the control of this vector.