Distribution of Phlebotomine Sandflies in the Cave Area of Satun Province, Thailand.

Leishmaniasis, a sandfly-transmitted protozoan infection, is a neglected health threat in Thailand and the information on its vector is scarce. This study aimed to identify sandfly distribution, abundance, and environmental conditions of natural breeding sites in the cave areas of Satun Province, where previous cases of leishmaniasis were reported. Sandflies were collected during a six-month period using CDC light traps and modified emergence traps.

Diversity Of Mosquito Species Ovipositing In Different Zones of Light Intensity Within Limestone Caves In Thailand.

Climate change and human activity affect the geographical and annual distribution and population abundance of mosquitoes. As natural habitats are reduced, it is hypothesized that mosquitoes may seek refuge in more stable environments such as cave habitats. Therefore, we explored the species diversity of mosquitoes exploiting cave habitats in Thailand.

Geometric morphometrics of the scutum for differentiation of trombiculid mites within the genus Walchia (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Trombiculidae), a probable vector of scrub typhus.

The vectors of scrub typhus are the larval stage of trombiculid mites, termed "chiggers". These vectors are very small - the larvae are approximately 0.2 mm in size - and therefore their morphological identification is difficult.

Species composition and nocturnal activity of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) inhabiting a limestone cave in Thailand.

We investigated the nocturnal activity of cave-dwelling sand flies at different time intervals and determined their species composition and seasonal variation. Sand flies were captured on one night each month using CDC light traps from 18:00-06:00 with the collecting bag being changed every two h between February, 2010 and January, 2011. A total of 18,709 individuals, including 10,740 males and 7,969 females, was collected.

Wing geometry of Phlebotomus stantoni and Sergentomyia hodgsoni from different geographical locations in Thailand.

Geographic populations of the two main sandflies genera present in Thailand were studied for species and population identification. Size and shape of Phlebotomus stantoni and Sergentomyia hodgsoni from different island and mainland locations were examined by landmark-based geometric morphometrics. Intraspecific and interspecific wing comparison was carried out based on 12 anatomical landmarks.

IDENTIFICATION OF BAT ECTOPARASITE LEPTOCIMEX INORDINATUS FROM BAT-DWELLING CAVE, KANCHANABURI PROVINCE, THAILAND.

Bat bugs are blood-feeding insects of bats or warm blooded animals and humans. Since 2011, Leptocimex spp (Heteroptera: Cimicidae) has been reported in Thailand. However, microscopic examination of Leptocimex spp is complicated, especially when the entire body of the specimen is not available.

DNA barcoding and wing morphometrics to distinguish three Aedes vectors in Thailand.

Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) (L.), Ae. albopictus (Skuse), and Ae.

Description of Sergentomyia phadangensis n. sp. (Diptera, Psychodidae) of Thailand.

Background: Since 1996, there are emerging autochthonous cases of leishmaniasis in Thailand due to Leishmania "siamensis" and to L. martiniquensis explaining a recent interest for the sand fly fauna where Sergentomyia gemmea and Se. barraudi have been considered possible vectors in the country.

Phlebotomine sand flies of edible-nest swiftlet cave of Lang Ga Jiew Island, Chumphon province, Thailand.

The present study reported for the first time phlebotomine sandfly species inhabiting edible-nest swiftlet cave of the isolated island, based on field collections made during June 2010-May 2011. The insect diversity was relatively lower to that of mainland caves. All species, Phlebotomus stantoni, Sergentomyia anodontis, Sergentomyia bailyi, Sergentomyia gemmea, Sergentomyia hodgsoni and Sergentomyia punjabensis were either endemic island species or native elsewhere in Thailand.

Ten species of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) newly recorded from Thailand.

A survey of biting midges in animal sheds, mangroves and beaches along the Andaman coastal region in southern Thailand between April 2012 and May 2013 collected 10 species of Culicoides which were not previously known from Thailand. These new records are C. arenicola, C.

CORRELATION OF HOST SPECIFICITY, ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND ORIENTAL RAT FLEA ABUNDANCE.

Fleas are the vectors of many communicable diseases that are normally found in oriental rats. Climate and environmental changes influence the habitat and migration patterns of vectors. In this study, the oriental rat flea abundance, represented as total flea index, was determined in correlation to host specificity and various environmental factors.

Coverage-dependent effect of insecticide-treated curtains for dengue control in Thailand.

Evidence on the effectiveness of insecticide-treated curtains (ITCs) for reducing densities of Aedes mosquitoes, the principal vectors of dengue, is scarce. In Laem Chabang southeast of Bangkok, Thailand, the Breteau Index (BI) (number of positive containers/100 houses) was 45 in October 2006. In March 2007, we distributed long-lasting ITCs in 22 clusters (2,032 houses) and selected 66 control clusters (661 houses).

Distribution and abundance of Stomoxyini flies (Diptera: Muscidae) in Thailand.

Stomoxyini flies (Diptera: Muscidae) include species of parasitic flies of medical and veterinary importance. The adult flies feed on the blood of mammals and may transmit several parasites and pathogens. We conducted an entomological survey of Stomoxyini flies from different sites in Thailand.

Field-collected permethrin-resistant Aedes aegypti from central Thailand contain point mutations in the domain IIS6 of the sodium channel gene (KDR).

One of the mechanisms responsible for pyrethroid resistance in mosquitoes is mutations in domain IIS6 of voltage-gated sodium channel gene (kdr). Aedes aegypti larvae were collected from the central provinces of Thailand (Bangkok, Prachin Buri and Ratchaburi) and colonized until they became adults. Partial fragment of kdr of permethrin-resistant mosquitoes were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced.

A cluster-randomized trial of insecticide-treated curtains for dengue vector control in Thailand.

The efficacy of insecticide-treated window curtains (ITCs) for dengue vector control was evaluated in Thailand in a cluster-randomized controlled trial. A total of 2,037 houses in 26 clusters was randomized to receive the intervention or act as control (no treatment). Entomological surveys measured Aedes infestations (Breteau index, house index, container index, and pupae per person index) and oviposition indices (mean numbers of eggs laid in oviposition traps) immediately before and after intervention, and at 3-month intervals over 12 months.

Literature review of parasitoids of filth flies in Thailand: a list of species with brief notes on bionomics of common species.

We reviewed the literature for surveys of parasitoid of filth flies in Thailand. We found 5 families, with 9 genera and 14 species identified in Thailand. We describe the ecological niches and biology of common species, including Spalangia cameroni, S.

Biology of Culex sitiens, a predominant mosquito in Phang Nga, Thailand after a tsunami.

A tsunami affected area in Phang Nga province, Thailand was explored randomly as some freshwater sites had changed into brackish-water sites. A survey of four areas found Culex sitiens to be the most dominant mosquito species.This mosquito prefers to breed in putrefied water with garbage and it was found in almost every stagnant, brackish-water site in full sunlight.

Cloning of a trypsin-like serine protease and expression patterns during Plasmodium falciparum invasion in the mosquito, Anopheles dirus (Peyton and Harrison).

Understanding specific gene regulation during responses to malaria infection is key to dissecting the mosquito defense mechanisms and host/parasite interactions. A full-length serine protease cDNA was isolated from the fat body of female Anopheles dirus, a major malaria vector in Thailand. The predicted amino acid sequence of SERF4 identifies it as a member of the serine protease family containing a single trypsin-like protease domain.

Cavernicolous species of phlebotomine sand flies from Kanchanaburi Province, with an updated species list for Thailand.

During 2008-2009 2,401 Phlebotomine sand flies were collected in 14 limestone caves in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand to determine the prevalence and type of cavernicolous species that have the potential to be leishmaniasis vectors. Twenty species belonging to the genera Chinius, Nemopalpus, Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia were identified. An additional man-biting species, P.

Utility of a set of conserved mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene primers for Mansonia annulata identification.

DNA-based identification system using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene has enabled validation of many species in certain taxonomic groups. These primer combinations were able to work universally across Insecta. Here, a set of three primer pairs were successful in amplifying COI of Mansonia annulata mosquito, a potential vector of Brugia malayi.

Interspecific and sexual shape variation in the filariasis vectors Mansonia dives and Ma. bonneae.

In the South of Thailand, six Mansonia species are recorded as filariasis vectors, among which Ma. bonneae and Ma. dives.

Bionomic status of Anopheles epiroticus Linton & Harbach, a coastal malaria vector, in Rayong Province, Thailand.

A longitudinal entomological survey was conducted to provide in-depth information on An. epiroticus and determine whether ecological and entomological factors could influence malaria transmission in Rayong Province, Thailand. The mosquitoes were collected monthly from May 2007 to April 2008 by human landing catch technique from 6:00-12:00 PM for 2 consecutive nights, at 3 collection sites.

Mosquito fauna of "Toh Daeng" swamp forest, Thailand.

Entomological surveys (2001-2005) were carried out in Narathiwat Province to determine mosquito fauna of the peat swamp forest. Fifty-four species belonging to 13 genera were identified from 837 larval specimens and 3,982 adult mosquitoes. These included the major vectors for Brugian fillariasis: Mansonia annulata, Ma.

Cytogenetic and molecular evidence for an additional new species within the taxon Anopheles barbirostris (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand.

ITS2 DNA sequences of 42 isoline colonies of Anopheles barbirostris species A1 and A2 were analyzed and a new genetic species, temporarily designated as species A4 (Chiang Mai), was revealed. The large sequence divergences of the ITS2 (0.116-0.