Distribution of Ecnomus McLachlan, 1864 (Trichoptera, Ecnomidae) from the Lower Mekong River with a description of Ecnomus stungtrengensis new species

Trichoptera were surveyed from four different physiographic regions of the Lower Mekong River, including the Northern Highlands, the Khorat Plateau, the Tonle Sap Basin and the Mekong Delta in Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.Twenty-three species of the genus Ecnomus, including a new species, were identified and mapped. Ecnomus mammus Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1993 is a common species which is found from Tonle Sab Basin and Mekong Delta. Ecnomus alkmene Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1997, E. volovicus Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1993 and Ecnomus quordaio Malicky, 1993 are the common species in the area of the Northern Highlands and the Khorat Plateau. Ecnomus plotin Malicky & Laudee 2010 is found in the Mekong Delta. Ecnomus triangularis Sun, 1997 is a new species record for Southeast Asia. In addition, E. stungtrengensis sp. n. is described and illustrated. The male genitalia of E. stungtrengensis sp. n. are clearly different from those of other species in the genus Ecnomus by the shape of superior appendages which are slender and bent downwards distally in lateral view

A Fly in the Ointment: Evaluation of Traditional Use of Plants to Repel and Kill Blowfly Larvae in Fermented Fish

Introduction: In rural areas in Laos, fly larvae infestations are common in fermenting fish. Blowflies (Chrysomyamegacephala, Diptera: Calliphoridae) are attracted to oviposit (and/or larviposit) onto fermenting fish which results ininfestations with fly larvae. Knowledge of traditional use of plants to repel larvae during the production of fermented fish iscommon and widespread in Lao PDR. Research Questions: How effective are the most salient species in repelling, and killing fly larvae in fermenting fish? Material and Methods: The three plant species most frequently reported to repel fly larvae during an ethnobotanical surveythroughout Lao PDR were tested for repellence and larvicidal activity of fly larvae infesting fermented fish. The lethality andrepellence of Tadehagi triquetrum (L.) H. Ohashi (Fabaceae), Uraria crinita (L.) Desv. ex DC. (Fabaceae) and Bambusa multiplex(Lour.) Raeusch. ex Schult. & Schult. f. (Poaceae) were tested in an experimental design using fermenting fish in Vientiane,Lao PDR. Results: The repellent effect of fresh material of T. triquetrum and U. crinita, and the larvicidal effect of fresh B. multiplex, issignificantly more effective than that of dried material of the same species, and the total effect (repellence and larvicidaleffect combined) for each of the three species was significantly more effective for fresh than for dry material. Fresh materialof T. triquetrum, U. crinita, or B. multiplex added on top of the fermenting fish repelled 50%, 54%, 37%, and killed 22%, 28%,and 40% of fly larvae. The total effect was not significantly different per species at 72%, 82%, and 77%, respectively. Discussion and Conclusions: The three most salient species are effective in repelling and killing fly larvae in the productionof fermented fish, and may be essential to augment food safety during traditional fermentation in open jars

Botanical Repellents and Pesticides Traditionally Used Against Haematophagous Invertebrates in Lao PDR

Haematophagous parasites and disease vectors such as leeches, ticks, mites, lice, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and myiasis-causing fly larvae are common health problems in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). A main aim of my field work in Lao PDR in 2006-2010 was to document traditional knowledge among different ethnic groups about plants that people use to repel or to kill blood-feeding invertebrates. We carried out structured interviews in 66 villages comprising 17 ethnic groups, covering a range of ethnic group, throughout Lao PDR and recorded a total of 92 plant species - in 123 different plant-ectoparasite combinations - that are used as traditional repellents and/or as “pesticides” to kill "pest" invertebrates. Traditional use was confirmed in the scientific literature for 74 of these plant species, and for an additional 13 species based on literature on closely related species. We concluded that repellents and pesticides from many plant species are commonly used in the Lao countryside. We also investigated traditionally used Lao plants for their activity to repel or to kill certain disease vectors and parasites. Target organisms were mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae), fly larvae (Diptera, Cyclorrhapha) in fermented fish production, and terrestrial blood-sucking leeches (Hirudinea, Haemadipsidae). The potential mosquito repellent activities of essential oils of Croton roxburghii (Euphorbiaceae), Hyptis suaveolens (Lamiaceae), and Litsea cubeba (Lauraceae) were evaluated in the field near Vientiane. Oils at concentrations of 1.7-6.7 µg/cm2 were significantly repellent to Aedes, Armigeres and Culex attracted to human baits. The activities against fly larvae, infesting fermenting fish, of three plant species, Tadehagi triquetrum (Fabaceae), Uraria crinita (Fabaceae) and Bambusa multiplex (Poaceae) were investigated: When fresh material of the plants was added on top of fermenting fish infested with fly larvae significant proportions of the larvae were repelled or killed. The total protective effect, i.e., repellent and killing effect combined, of T. triquetrum, U. crinita, and B. multiplex was 60-83 %, 77-90 %, and 60-93 %, respectively. Field evaluation of the potential leech repellent activities of water extracts of Sapindus rarak (Sapindaceae), Catunaregam spathulifolia (Rubiaceae) and Vernonia elaeagnifolia, (Asteraceae) impregnated on stockings and worn by persons in two leech-infested biotopes revealed leech repellent activities of 82.6%, 62.6% and 63.0%, respectively. The corresponding repellencies of deltamethrin and diethyl-3-methyl-benzamide (DEET) were 73.1% and 88.4%, respectively. Identification of the active components in certain of the plants with the ultimate aim to develop more optimal, less costly repellents, insecticides, acaricides, and anti-leech compounds as alternatives to synthetic repellents and pesticides against blood-feeding insects, ticks, mites, and leeches is in progress

Botanical Repellents and Pesticides Traditionally Used Against Haematophagous Invertebrates in Lao PDR

Haematophagous parasites and disease vectors such as leeches, ticks, mites, lice, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and myiasis-causing fly larvae are common health problems in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). A main aim of my field work in Lao PDR in 2006-2010 was to document traditional knowledge among different ethnic groups about plants that people use to repel or to kill blood-feeding invertebrates. We carried out structured interviews in 66 villages comprising 17 ethnic groups, covering a range of ethnic group, throughout Lao PDR and recorded a total of 92 plant species - in 123 different plant-ectoparasite combinations - that are used as traditional repellents and/or as “pesticides” to kill "pest" invertebrates. Traditional use was confirmed in the scientific literature for 74 of these plant species, and for an additional 13 species based on literature on closely related species. We concluded that repellents and pesticides from many plant species are commonly used in the Lao countryside. We also investigated traditionally used Lao plants for their activity to repel or to kill certain disease vectors and parasites. Target organisms were mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae), fly larvae (Diptera, Cyclorrhapha) in fermented fish production, and terrestrial blood-sucking leeches (Hirudinea, Haemadipsidae). The potential mosquito repellent activities of essential oils of Croton roxburghii (Euphorbiaceae), Hyptis suaveolens (Lamiaceae), and Litsea cubeba (Lauraceae) were evaluated in the field near Vientiane. Oils at concentrations of 1.7-6.7 µg/cm2 were significantly repellent to Aedes, Armigeres and Culex attracted to human baits. The activities against fly larvae, infesting fermenting fish, of three plant species, Tadehagi triquetrum (Fabaceae), Uraria crinita (Fabaceae) and Bambusa multiplex (Poaceae) were investigated: When fresh material of the plants was added on top of fermenting fish infested with fly larvae significant proportions of the larvae were repelled or killed. The total protective effect, i.e., repellent and killing effect combined, of T. triquetrum, U. crinita, and B. multiplex was 60-83 %, 77-90 %, and 60-93 %, respectively. Field evaluation of the potential leech repellent activities of water extracts of Sapindus rarak (Sapindaceae), Catunaregam spathulifolia (Rubiaceae) and Vernonia elaeagnifolia, (Asteraceae) impregnated on stockings and worn by persons in two leech-infested biotopes revealed leech repellent activities of 82.6%, 62.6% and 63.0%, respectively. The corresponding repellencies of deltamethrin and diethyl-3-methyl-benzamide (DEET) were 73.1% and 88.4%, respectively. Identification of the active components in certain of the plants with the ultimate aim to develop more optimal, less costly repellents, insecticides, acaricides, and anti-leech compounds as alternatives to synthetic repellents and pesticides against blood-feeding insects, ticks, mites, and leeches is in progress

Three new species of caddisflies (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae, Polycentropodidae, Leptoceridae) from Khon Phapheng Waterfall, the Mekong River, Laos

The Mekong River is a hotspot area for freshwater biodiversity, but caddisfly diversity is largely understudied. Three new species of caddisflies from three different families are described and illustrated from Khon Phapheng Waterfall, the Mekong River, Laos; Orthotrichia choengthongi Malicky & Laudee, sp. nov. (Hydroptilidae), Pseudoneureclipsis khonphaphengensis Malicky & Thamsenanupap, sp. nov. (Polycentropodidae), and Setodes karrilai Malicky & Laudee, sp. nov. Orthotrichia choengthongi Malicky & Laudee, sp. nov. can be differentiated from the most similar Orthotrichia triton Malicky 2008 by the specific shape of segment X which is long and tubular, pointed apically and curved inward then immediately upward in dorsal view. Pseudoneureclipsis khonphaphengensis Malicky & Thamsenanupap, sp. nov. differs from the similar P. kaineus Malicky & Bunlue in Malicky et al. 2004 by the shape of the inferior appendages that are usually broad, almost circular in lateral view. Setodes karrilai Malicky & Laudee, sp. nov. is mainly different to S. omphale Malicky & Changthong in Malicky et al. 2004 by the distal part of segment X which has a brush-like process

Three new species of caddisflies (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae, Polycentropodidae, Leptoceridae) from Khon Phapheng Waterfall, the Mekong River, Laos

The Mekong River is a hotspot area for freshwater biodiversity, but caddisfly diversity is largely understudied. Three new species of caddisflies from three different families are described and illustrated from Khon Phapheng Waterfall, the Mekong River, Laos; Orthotrichia choengthongi Malicky & Laudee, sp. nov. (Hydroptilidae), Pseudoneureclipsis khonphaphengensis Malicky & Thamsenanupap, sp. nov. (Polycentropodidae), and Setodes karrilai Malicky & Laudee, sp. nov. Orthotrichia choengthongi Malicky & Laudee, sp. nov. can be differentiated from the most similar Orthotrichia triton Malicky 2008 by the specific shape of segment X which is long and tubular, pointed apically and curved inward then immediately upward in dorsal view. Pseudoneureclipsis khonphaphengensis Malicky & Thamsenanupap, sp. nov. differs from the similar P. kaineus Malicky & Bunlue in Malicky et al. 2004 by the shape of the inferior appendages that are usually broad, almost circular in lateral view. Setodes karrilai Malicky & Laudee, sp. nov. is mainly different to S. omphale Malicky & Changthong in Malicky et al. 2004 by the distal part of segment X which has a brush-like process

New species of caddisflies (Trichoptera, Ecnomidae, Polycentropodidae, Psychomyiidae) from Mekong tributaries, Laos

Four new species of caddisflies are added to the fauna of Mekong River, Laos. Described and illustrated are Ecnomus petchanaae sp. nov. and E. boonsawaengae sp. nov. (Ecnomidae), Polyplectropus proukaewi sp. nov. (Polycentropodidae), and Psychomyia srichanai sp. nov. (Psychomyiidae) from tributaries of the Mekong River, Laos. Ecnomus petchanaae sp. nov. can be distinguished by the characters of the superior appendages, which are slender and club-shaped in lateral view. In E. boonsawaengae sp. nov., the inferior appendages are tubular with a concave incision subapically and truncated apex. Polyplectropus proukaewi sp. nov. has the distal process of the dorsal branch of the inferior appendage close to the base of the inferior appendages and the length of the process is half of inferior appendages. Psychomyia srichanai sp. nov. can be distinguished by the structure of the dorsal branches of the harpagones and apical sclerite. The outer branches of the harpago in the latter species are bifurcated and bent 90° degrees outward, and the inner dorsal branches of harpago are curved outward. The apical sclerite is indiscernible