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Insects
Special Issues
Surveillance and Control of Arthropod-Borne Diseases
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Surveillance and Control of Arthropod-Borne Diseases

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical and Livestock Entomology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 3560

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Douglas E. Norris

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Guest Editor
The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Interests: mosquitoes; ticks; malaria; arboviruses; vector ecology; vector behavior
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Reneé L.M.N. Ali

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Interests: mosquitoes; population genomics; phylogeny and taxonomy; vector bionomics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the geographical distribution of pathogens transmitted by arthropods expands (mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, fleas), populations are now at greater risk, with incidences of infections and fatalities increasing globally each year. Though robust vector control programs exist, many face challenges with regard to surveillance, insecticide resistance, and expanding distributions or invasive vector species. Understanding these vectors in the field can be useful in determining and implementing the appropriate mitigation strategies prior to or in case of an epidemic. This Special Issue aims to highlight a range of pathogen transmission systems and vectors, including the successes and challenges in surveillance and control. Submissions of original research and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, medical and veterinary entomology, applied vector surveillance and control, invasive vector species, modeling, novel technologies, and research-based programs.

Prof. Dr. Douglas E. Norris
Dr. Reneé L.M.N. Ali
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mosquito surveillance and control
  • tick surveillance and control
  • resistance
  • trapping
  • vector incrimination
  • invasive species

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2123 KiB  
Article
Comparative Assessment of Environmental DNA and Bulk-Sample Metabarcoding in Biosecurity Surveillance for Detecting Biting Midges (Ceratopogonidae)
by Jieyun Wu, Dongmei Li, Rebijith K. Balan, Sherly George, Lora Peacock and Chandan Pal
Insects 2025, 16(6), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16060564 - 27 May 2025
Viewed by 213
Abstract
Biting midges, Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), are significant vectors capable of transmitting arboviruses, such as bluetongue virus, to livestock. New Zealand is free of Culicoides, and a national surveillance programme is in place for the early detection of an incursion. Traditionally, insect [...] Read more.
Biting midges, Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), are significant vectors capable of transmitting arboviruses, such as bluetongue virus, to livestock. New Zealand is free of Culicoides, and a national surveillance programme is in place for the early detection of an incursion. Traditionally, insect trap samples from the surveillance programme are analyzed using morphology-based diagnostics under microscopes, which is time-consuming and relies on specialized taxonomic expertise. Here, we assessed the effectiveness of DNA metabarcoding using insect bulk samples and environmental DNA (eDNA) from liquid samples collected in surveillance traps. Two Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) barcoding primer sets were employed to study biodiversity and detect exotic species. The results indicated that DNA metabarcoding with homogenized insect bulk samples had a higher overall detection accuracy rate (over 81% for both primer pairs) compared to ethanol fluid-derived eDNA samples from traps (68.42% and 55.26% for the primer sets LCO1490/HCO2198 and mlCOIintF/jgHCO2198, respectively) based on congruence with morphological identification. Detection failures were likely due to eDNA extraction issues or low target species abundance. Both approaches showed similar insect community composition and diversity in the surveillance trap samples, suggesting the potential of DNA metabarcoding for biosecurity surveillance and biodiversity assessments. Overall, DNA metabarcoding using bulk insect samples could enhance the efficiency of Culicoides surveillance, reducing workload and screening time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surveillance and Control of Arthropod-Borne Diseases)
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17 pages, 4085 KiB  
Article
Anise and Fennel Essential Oils and Their Combination as Natural and Safe Housefly Repellents
by Hataichanok Passara, Sirawut Sittichok, Cheepchanok Puwanard, Jirisuda Sinthusiri, Tanapoom Moungthipmalai, Kouhei Murata and Mayura Soonwera
Insects 2025, 16(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16010023 - 29 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1355
Abstract
Essential oils (EOs) are effective repellents and eco-friendly alternatives. We tested single and combination EOs of fennel and anise for repellency and stability against houseflies. All treatments were stored at 27 °C for up to 360 days. Efficacies were compared against α-cypermethrin as [...] Read more.
Essential oils (EOs) are effective repellents and eco-friendly alternatives. We tested single and combination EOs of fennel and anise for repellency and stability against houseflies. All treatments were stored at 27 °C for up to 360 days. Efficacies were compared against α-cypermethrin as a reference. Safety bioassay used on two representative non-target species (guppies and earthworms) confirmed safety. The strongest repellency and stability, 100% repellency and RC50 of 0.4 mL/m3 on day 1, was achieved by a fennel + anise EO combination (1:1). After 360 days, these combinations remained effective (95% repellency), and RC50 = 0.8 mL/m3. The EO combinations were more effective than all single EOs and α-cypermethrin at all times, showing strong synergy with a synergistic repellent index of 2.4 to 3.3. This fennel + anise EO combination was more than 24 times more effective as a repellent than α-cypermethrin. Morphological damage included damaged antennae with twisted flagella and abnormal aristae. All single and combination EOs were not toxic to the non-targets and could be considered safe, whereas α-cypermethrin was highly toxic to them. Thus, the fennel + anise EO combination has great potential to be developed as a safe, natural repellent for managing housefly populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surveillance and Control of Arthropod-Borne Diseases)
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Review

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19 pages, 3987 KiB  
Review
A Comprehensive Review: Biology of Anopheles squamosus, an Understudied Malaria Vector in Africa
by Valerie T. Nguyen, Dalia S. Dryden, Brooke A. Broder, Ayaan Tadimari, Primrose Tanachaiwiwat, Derrick K. Mathias, Panpim Thongsripong, Lawrence E. Reeves, Renee L. M. N. Ali, Mary E. Gebhardt, Kochelani Saili, Limonty Simubali, Edgar Simulundu, Douglas E. Norris and Yoosook Lee
Insects 2025, 16(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020110 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1552
Abstract
With ongoing global efforts to eliminate malaria, several countries have entered a pre-elimination stage, in which populations of the primary mosquito vector are reduced and the rates of malaria transmission are low. Efforts to eliminate malaria have changed the dynamics of disease transmission, [...] Read more.
With ongoing global efforts to eliminate malaria, several countries have entered a pre-elimination stage, in which populations of the primary mosquito vector are reduced and the rates of malaria transmission are low. Efforts to eliminate malaria have changed the dynamics of disease transmission, causing a shift in anopheline community composition in some regions. One of the most abundant species of Anopheles found in pre-elimination areas, such as southern Africa, is Anopheles squamosus (Theobald, 1901; Diptera: Culicidae). Although An. squamosus has been documented across the African continent, limited information is available about its biology. Knowing what, when, and where the malaria vector bites humans can help develop effective malaria control strategies. The aim of this review is to compile the information available on An. squamosus’s biology, ecology, distribution, behavior, and potential role in disease transmission. The review of current literature suggested that An. squamosus is abundant throughout the African continent. Studies indicate that this species occupies the same range and exhibits similar behaviors to primary malaria vectors in southern and eastern African countries, like Zambia. In conclusion, An. squamosus continues to be an understudied species that has circumvented disease control measures and further studies are needed to develop effective control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surveillance and Control of Arthropod-Borne Diseases)
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