Culicinae (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes in Chabahar County, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Southeastern Iran

  Abstract Background: Mosquito-borne diseases are a major public health threat in Iran. The objective of this study was to de­ter­mine the fauna of culicinae mosquitoes for future mosquito control programs."nMethods: Three genera and eleven species of the subfamily Culicinae (Diptera: Culicidae) were collected by dipping tech­nique and identified in Chabahar County, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, southeastern Iran, during January, Feb­ru­ary, and March 2007."nResults: The collected species included:  Aedes vexans (new occurrence record for the province), Culex  arbieeni, Cx. bitaeniorhynchus, Cx. deserticola, Cx. hortensis, Cx. perexiguus, Cx. pipiens, Cx.  pseudovishnui, Cx. pusillus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. sinaiticus, Cx. theileri, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Culiseta longiareolata, Ochlerotatus cabal­lus, Oc. caspius, and Uranotaenia unguiculata."nConclusion: Our observations indicate that, in South of Iran hot and wet climatic conditions support the persistence of culicinae mosquitoes. As our study, regular monitoring of culicinae mosquitoes in this area could be the most use­ful for mosquito control and mosquito-borne disease prevention

Species Composition and Diversity of Mosquitoes in Neka County, Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran

                                                                                        Background: Regarding to the significant of the possibility of the malaria epidemic and nuisance of mosquitoes dur­ing the active season, the fauna and some ecological activities of mosquitoes in related to tree holes were investi­gated from April to December 2009 in Neka county of Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Methods: Larval collection was carried out from natural, artificial breeding places, and tree holes inside the forest in Neka County, Mazandaran Province in 2009. In addition, human bait net trap collection was conducted using suction tube several times during this investigation. Results: Four genera and five species were found in tree holes. Anopheles plumbeus, Culiseta annulata, Culex  pipiens, and Ochlerotatus geniculatus were collected by larval collection whereas, Ochlerotatus pulcritarsis was found by adult collection. Overall Cx. pipiens 44.6%, Oc. geniculatus 32.6%, An. plumbeus 22.5%, and Cs. annulata 0.3% were collected by larval collection. During the bait net collection five specie were identified including: Oc. genicula­tus 55.87%, Oc. echinus 1.33%, Oc. pulchritarsis 8.8 %, Cx. pipiens 33.8%, and An. plumbeus 0.2%. Cs.  annu­lata larvae was detected for the first time with a low abundance in tree cavity. Conclusion: Tree holes were found the main habitat for the species of Oc. geniculatus. The species of Cs.  annulata was found in tree hole

Repelling property of the methalonic and hexanic extracts of Sambucus ebulus L. against the Culex pipiens: in-vitro study

Background and Objective: The anti inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant of Sambucus ebulus L. have been reported in several studies. This study was done to assess the repelling property of the methalonic and hexanic extracts of Sambucus ebulus L. against the Culex pipiens. Methods: In this experimental study, Sambucus ebulus L. collected from the natural inhabitants of Mazandran province in northern Iran. Methalonic and hexanic extraction were provided from the leaf and fruit of Sambucus ebulus L. Concentration of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg was prepared. 0.4 ml of the extract prepared and was spreed on the albino skin area of 4×6 cm2. After 30 minutes the number of the mosquito (Culex pipiens) bites on the skin was recorded. N, Ndiethyl-3 methyl benzamide was considered as positive control. Results: The highest repelling property of the Sambucus ebulus L. belonged to the concentration of 250 mg/kg of leaf and fruit extraction. The highest repelling effect was 80% and 66.8% for leaf methalonic and hexanic extract, respectively. The highest repelling effect was 84% and 72% for fruit metalonic and hexanic extract, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: The methalonic extract of Sambucus ebulus L. had higher repelling efficiency compared to the hexanic extract. The fruit extract also had better effect than the leaf extract

Diversity Assessment and the effect of Temperature and Humidity on the Relative Abundance of Medically Important Fly Species in Fouladshahr, Isfahan Province

Background & aim: Due to their close connection with humans, flies are able to mechanically transmit many pathogenic agents and thus cause various diseases. Knowing and determining the species of flies is necessary to know the current situation and plan for their control. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine and investigate the species diversity and relative abundance of medically important flies in Fouladshahr, Isfahan province. Methods: The present study was of a descriptive-analytical type. Sampling was done from April to March 2018 for one year and twice a month in selected stations in Fouladshahr, Iran. The collection of adult flies was done using insect nets and using inverted cone plastic bottles traps. In order to try to obtain the maximum diversity of species, sampling was done in four seasons and six times in each season, twice a month and once in each region. The sampling location was selected based on the proximity to the places where flies grow and develop, such as around the hospital, garbage collection, health and treatment centers, and animal places with the possibility of flies. Daily average temperature, humidity and wind speed were recorded. After catching the flies, they were transported to the laboratory and mounted. A that point they were identified using a valid identification key. The collected data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation and GEE regression statistical tests. Results: In the present study, 6030 flies from three species, Musidae, Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae, were caught. The highest number of flies belonged to the species Musca domestica (72%) and Sarcophaga aegypti (0.08%) had the lowest frequency. The highest abundance of flies was in the month of July and the lowest amount was respectively in the months of January and February in Fouladshahr. Correlation results indicated that with the decrease in humidity, the population of flies increased (P˂0.004) and with the increase in temperature, the abundance of flies increased (P˂0.0001). Conclusion: Considering the abundance of flies and their health importance in the study area, it seems necessary to adopt appropriate methods to manage resources and use existing capacities to control the population of flies in the study area