Distribution of Annandale & Brunetti, 1908 in the Anuradhapura district, North Central Sri Lanka.

Background & Objectives: Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale & Brunetti, 1908 (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the main vector responsible for the transmission of Leishmania donovani (Laveran & Mesnil, 1903) Ross, 1903 in the subcontinent of India. It is the potential vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka. The present study determined ecological factors that influence the abundance of P.

Effect of delayed mating on reproductive performance and life-history parameters of dengue vector .

Dengue is a fast-spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in the world. The primary vector of the disease is of the family Culicidae. It is a container breeder.

Influence of Vertebrate Excreta on Attraction, Oviposition and Development of the Asian Tiger Mosquito, (Diptera: Culicidae).

is an important vector of dengue worldwide. Eliminating dengue in Sri Lanka depends entirely on controlling the vector and human-vector contact. Thus, studying the bionomics and behavior of is paramount.

The effect of chemical exudates of three larvivorous fish species on oviposition preference of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Mosquito species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are vectors of dengue worldwide. Mosquito vector control through maintaining larvivorous fish in water bodies is generally suggested, however, its underlying role towards oviposition preference of these dengue vectors is unknown in the Sri Lankan context. The current study investigated the effect of chemical exudates from larvivorous fish species Poecilia reticulata, Rasbora daniconius and Applocheilus dayi on the oviposition preference of Aedes mosquitoes.

Development of an Alternative Low-Cost Larval Diet for Mass Rearing of Mosquitoes.

Background: is a major vector of arboviruses that may be controlled on an area-wide basis, using novel approaches such as Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT). Larval diet is a critical factor to be considered in mass rearing of mosquitoes for SIT and IIT programs. Therefore, the current study is aimed at evaluating the effects of two novel diets developed from dry fish powder on the growth and development of immature stages and adult fitness-related characteristics of in Sri Lanka.

Why oviposit there? Fitness consequences of a gall midge choosing the plant's youngest leaf.

For animals that lay eggs, a longstanding question is, why do females choose particular oviposition sites? For insects that lay eggs on plants there are three hypotheses: maximizing suitable habitat for juveniles, maximizing female lifespan, and maximizing egg survival. We investigated the function of the oviposition-site choice behavior of a gall midge, the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say). In spite of living less than a day and having hundreds of eggs, the ovipositing female is choosy about the placement of eggs.

Impact of planting dates on a seed maggot, Neotephritis finalis (Diptera: Tephritidae), and sunflower bud moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) damage in cultivated sunflower.

Neotephritisfinalis (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae), and sunflower bud moth, Suleima helianthana (Riley) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) are major head-infesting insect pests of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Planting date was evaluated as a cultural pest management strategy for control of N.