Ooencyrtus pitosina (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)-A natural enemy of Samoan swallowtail butterfly Papilio godeffroyi (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).

A new species of encyrtid wasp, Ooencyrtus pitosina Polaszek, Noyes & Fusu sp. n., (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae: Encyrtinae) is described as a gregarious parasitoid in the eggs of the endemic Samoan swallowtail butterfly Papilio godeffroyi (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in the Samoan archipelago.

Identification of risk factors and mosquito vectors associated with dengue virus infection in American Samoa, 2017.

Introduction: The first outbreak of dengue in American Samoa was reported in 1911. Sporadic outbreaks have been reported since, as were outbreaks of other pathogens transmitted by Aedes species mosquitoes including Ross River, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. During an outbreak of dengue virus-type 2 (DENV-2) in 2016-2018, we conducted household-based cluster investigations to identify population-specific risk factors associated with infection and performed entomologic surveillance to determine the relative abundance of Ae.

The bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) of American Samoa.

A survey of five of the islands of American Samoa was conducted from 2016-2018 utilizing multi-funnel traps baited with ethanol and quercivorol (attractants for xyleborine ambrosia beetles). Specimens of Scolytinae and Platypodinae from this survey, as well as specimens in the American Samoa Community College Collection were identified. A total of 53 species of Scolytinae and two species of Platypodinae are reported.

Molecular xenomonitoring using mosquitoes to map lymphatic filariasis after mass drug administration in American Samoa.

Background: Mass drug administration (MDA) programs have dramatically reduced lymphatic filariasis (LF) incidence in many areas around the globe, including American Samoa. As infection rates decline and MDA programs end, efficient and sensitive methods for detecting infections are needed to monitor for recrudescence. Molecular methods, collectively termed 'molecular xenomonitoring,' can identify parasite DNA or RNA in human blood-feeding mosquitoes.

Transmission assessment surveys (TAS) to define endpoints for lymphatic filariasis mass drug administration: a multicenter evaluation.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is targeted for global elimination through treatment of entire at-risk populations with repeated annual mass drug administration (MDA). Essential for program success is defining and confirming the appropriate endpoint for MDA when transmission is presumed to have reached a level low enough that it cannot be sustained even in the absence of drug intervention. Guidelines advanced by WHO call for a transmission assessment survey (TAS) to determine if MDA can be stopped within an LF evaluation unit (EU) after at least five effective rounds of annual treatment.

Non-congruent colonizations and diversification in a coevolving pollination mutualism on oceanic islands.

A challenge for coevolutionary theory is how different types of interaction influence the diversification of coevolving clades. Reciprocal specialization is characteristic of certain coevolving, mutualistic interactions, but whether this specialization seen in ecological time constrains changes in patterns of interaction over evolutionary time remains unclear. Here, we examine the co-radiation of Glochidion trees (Phyllanthaceae: Phyllanthus s.

Dry season production of filariasis and dengue vectors in American Samoa and comparison with wet season production.

Aedes polynesiensis and Ae. aegypti breeding site productivity in two American Samoa villages were analyzed during a dry season survey and compared with a wet season survey. Both surveys identified similar container types producing greater numbers of pupae, with buckets, drums, and tires responsible for > 50% of Aedes pupae during the dry season.

Xenomonitoring of Wuchereria bancrofti and Dirofilaria immitis infections in mosquitoes from American Samoa: trapping considerations and a comparison of polymerase chain reaction assays with dissection.

Entomologic monitoring of filarial infections, xenomonitoring, may have advantages in certain epidemiologic situations to assess the presence of infections in humans. Hemalum staining and dissection and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were compared to determine the filarial infection status of Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquitoes in American Samoa. The overall prevalences of Wuchereria bancrofti and Dirofilaria immitis infections in Ae.

Assessing transmission of lymphatic filariasis using parasitologic, serologic, and entomologic tools after mass drug administration in American Samoa.

Assessing the interruption of lymphatic filariasis transmission after annual mass drug administration (MDA) requires a better understanding of how to interpret results obtained with the available diagnostic tools. We conducted parasitologic, serologic, and entomologic surveys in three villages in American Samoa after sentinel site surveys suggested filarial antigen prevalence was < 1% after five annual MDAs with diethylcarbamazine and albendazole. Antigen and antifilarial antibody prevalence ranged from 3.

Utilization of domestic and natural containers by Aedes oceanicus in American Samoa.

Larval and pupal surveys of 439 natural and 2,455 domestic containers (total of 2,894 containers) were undertaken in four villages in American Samoa during the wet and dry seasons. For the first time, larvae and pupae of Ae. oceanicus were found in a variety of domestic containers (including buckets, plastic and polystyrene containers, cans, and tires) in addition to their traditionally reported habitats of plant leaf axils.

Evaluation of three traps for sampling Aedes polynesiensis and other mosquito species in American Samoa.

The efficacy of the recently developed BG-Sentinel mosquito trap baited with BG-Lure (a combination of lactic acid, ammonia, and caproic acid) was evaluated in American Samoa against the omnidirectional Fay-Prince trap and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light trap, both baited with carbon dioxide. The BG-Sentinel trap captured the greatest number of the important filariasis and dengue vector Aedes (Stegomyia) polynesiensis at all 3 collection locations; however, its catch rate was not significantly different from that of the Fay-Prince trap at 2 of the 3 trapping locations. The CDC light trap caught very few Ae.