Generalized population dynamics model of aphids in wheat based on catastrophe theory.

Wheat aphids are major wheat sap sucking pests found throughout the world. The analysis of wheat aphid population dynamics to develop aphid control strategies is therefore important. Even if all factors that control the size of aphid populations are known, several mathematical tools are needed to help us understand their combined effect.

Food of larval Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles varuna in a stream habitat in Sri Lanka.

No previous studies have been conducted on the natural food of larval Anopheles culicifacies s.l. (the major malaria vector) and An.

Physico-chemical characteristics of Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles varuna breeding water in a dry zone stream in Sri Lanka.

Background & Objectives: Selected physico-chemical characteristics of flowing and pooled water in a stream that generated two malaria vectors, Anopheles culicifacies s.l. Giles and Anopheles varuna Iyengar, were investigated during August-September 1997 and July 1998 at the Upper Yan Oya watershed in north-central Sri Lanka.

Towards a risk map of malaria for Sri Lanka: the importance of house location relative to vector breeding sites.

Background: In Sri Lanka, the major malaria vector Anopheles culicifacies breeds in pools formed in streams and river beds and it is likely that people living close to such breeding sites are at higher risk of malaria than people living further away. This study was done to quantify the importance of house location relative to vector breeding sites for the occurrence of malaria in order to assess the usefulness of this parameter in future malaria risk maps. Such risk maps could be important tools for planning efficient malaria control measures.

Strong association between house characteristics and malaria vectors in Sri Lanka.

The objective of this study was to determine whether house characteristics could be used to further refine the residual insecticide-spraying program in Sri Lanka. Indoor-resting mosquito densities were estimated in 473 houses based on fortnightly collections over a two-and-a-half-year period. The type of house construction and the exact location of all houses were determined.