Ecological mechanism of climate-mediated selection in a rapidly evolving invasive species.

Recurring seasonal changes can lead to the evolution of phenological cues. For example, many arthropods undergo photoperiodic diapause, a programmed developmental arrest induced by short autumnal day length. The selective mechanisms that determine the timing of autumnal diapause initiation have not been empirically identified.

Biology of Anopheles saperoi, an Endemic Species in Okinawajima, the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan.

Biological studies of Anopheles saperoi were conducted using larval and adult mosquito collections in the northern part of Okinawajima of the Ryukyu Archipelago from June 2009 to July 2010. Anopheles saperoi was the most collected species in the northern Okinawajima, except Motobu Peninsula, where it was not collected. The southern distribution of An.

Blood meal identification and feeding habits of uranotaenia species collected in the ryukyu archipelago.

To know the blood meal in the stomach of Uranotaenia species, blood-fed mosquitoes were collected by 4 methods at different sites in the mountain forest of 3 islands, Amamioshima, Okinawajima, and Iriomotejima in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan from 2005 to 2012. One hundred twenty-four blood-fed Uranotaenia mosquitoes of 7 species (Ur. jacksoni, nivipleura, ohamai, yaeyamana, annandalei, lateralis, and macfarlanei) were collected.

Description of female pupa and larva of Ficalbia ichiromiyagii from Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan.

We describe and illustrate for the 1st time the pupa and larva of adult female Ficalbia ichiromiyagii based on specimens collected from a swamp forest in Otomi, Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. The pupa has a trumpet that is 6.25 times its breadth at halfway, with a long meatal cleft line; setae 6-I, II considerably long, usually single or bifid; median caudal seta absent; and paddle edge serrated only on the outer apical half.

Bionomics of the mud lobster-hole mosquito Aedes (Geoskusea) baisasi in the mangrove swamps of the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan.

The bionomics of the mud lobster-hole mosquito Aedes (Geoskusea) baisasi in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, was studied in the field and in the laboratory. The studies included the natural habitat, seasonal appearance, flight activity, mating behavior, resistance of eggs to desiccation, and breeding periods of the immature stages of this species. The burrow systems made by the mud lobster Thalassina anomala were excellent as breeding and resting habitats for both the immature and adult stages of the mosquito.

New records of mosquito species for different islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan.

During an 11-year study period (1999-2010) on the islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, 20 mosquito species were identified. The results revealed new records of species hitherto not reported on these islands. This contribution updates the mosquito fauna of the various islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago.

A multiplex PCR-based molecular identification of five morphologically related, medically important subgenus Stegomyia mosquitoes from the genus Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae) found in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan.

Internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA were sequenced, and new species-specific primers were designed to simplify the molecular identification of five morphologically related subgenus Stegomyia mosquito species--Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae. riversi, Ae.

Colonization and biology of the frog-feeding mosquito Uranotaeinia macfarlanei in the Ryukyu Archipelago.

A colony of Uranotaenia macfarlanei, a frog-feeding mosquito, was established in the laboratory. We report the bionomics of the species, as studied in the laboratory colony and in the field on Ryukyu Island, Japan. These include mating activity, feeding and resting habits, manner of oviposition, and egg, larval, and pupal periods.

Female Armigeres (Leicesteria) flavus holding an egg raft with her hind legs.

During a mosquito survey in Ulu Gombak, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia, October 2-16, 2003, we observed a peculiar oviposition habit of Armigeres flavus. This strange behavior is described and illustrated with photographs; although it is well known, no detailed description has been made previously.

Habitats and distribution of Anopheles sinensis and associated Anopheles hyrcanus group in Japan.

Mosquito collections were carried out in August 2002 and July 2003 in Japan. Anopheles sinensis of the Hyrcanus Group, Myzomyia Series of Anopheles, was the most common species encountered. The distribution and habitats of 5 Anopheles Hyrcanus Group species are included.

Mark-release-recapture experiments with Anopheles saperoi (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Yona Forest, northern Okinawa, Japan.

Six mark-release-recapture experiments with Anopheles saperoi Bohart and Ingram were performed in the Yona Forest, northern Okinawa, Japan from June 1998 - November 1999, in order to estimate the gonotrophic cycle, survival, spatial distribution, flight range, and population size of An. saperoi. Adults and immature An.

A crab-hole mosquito, Ochlerotatus baisasi, feeding on mudskipper (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.

Ochlerotatus baisasi was observed and photographed feeding on a mudskipper (Periophthalmus argentilineatus). Origin of blood meals in the stomachs of female mosquitoes collected at burrows of land crabs and mud lobsters in the mangrove forests of Oura, Okinawa, and Komi, Iriomote (the Ryukyu Islands), was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to be from a fish source.

The effectiveness of impregnated bed net in malaria control in Laos.

Impregnated bed net (IBN) were used in 366 villages in the central and southern three provinces of Lao PDR from 1999 to 2000. It was confirmed that 81.0% of 40000 bed nets, which were donated by Japanese Grant Aid, were delivered within 2 years.

Knowledge and behavior relating to malaria in malaria endemic villages of Khammouane Province, Lao PDR.

In order to provide basic data for evaluation of malaria control measures, a study on the knowledge and behavior of people regarding prevention of malaria was carried out in 8 malaria endemic villages in Khammouane Province of Lao PDR from 1999 to 2000. The total valid questionnaire respondents were 932, with a mean age of 32.3 +/- 14.

An ecological survey of dengue vector mosquitos in central Lao PDR.

An ecological survey of dengue vector mosquitos was carried out in June 2000 in central Lao PDR. Two areas in Khammouane Province, Nongbok and Thakhek, were selected for the survey. Of the 7 mosquito species identified, Aedes aegypti was dominant in both study areas.

Investigation of the aedes (Stegomyia) flavopictus complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in Japan by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacers of ribosomal DNA.

Aedes (Stegomyia) flavopictus Yamada is widely distributed in Japan and Korea. The species comprises three subspecies based on current morphological taxonomy: Aedes flavopictus in the Palearctic region of Japan, Ae. f downsi Bohart & Ingram from Amami and Okinawa Islands, and Ae.

Susceptibility of the mosquitoes Anopheles minimus, An. sinensis, and An. saperoi (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, to the rodent malaria Plasmodium yoelii nigeriense.

The susceptibility of three anopheline mosquitoes, Anopheles minimus Theobald, An. sinensis Wiedemann, and An. saperoi Bohart & Ingram, from the Ryukyu Archipelago to the rodent malaria, Plasmodium yoelii nigeriense was examined to find new vectors other than An.