Smoke of Capsicum baccatumL. var. baccatum (Solanaceae) repels nymphs of Triatoma infestans(Klug) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Control of the Chagas disease vector, Triatoma infestans(Klug) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) with synthetic pesticides in Bolivia has become increasingly inefficient due to the development of resistance in the insects. In the Chaco region of Bolivia, guaraní populations have approached the problem by fumigating their houses with the smoke of native plants. Through interviews and field work with local guides, the main plant used by the guaraníes was collected and later identified as Capsicum baccatumL. var. baccatum(Solanaceae). In choice bioassays, filter papers exposed to the smoke of the plant repelled nymphs of T. infestans. Activity remained significant after storing the exposed filter papers for 9 days. Chemical analysis of smoke and literature data suggested that capsaicinoids present in the smoke were responsible for the repellent effect. The data presented provide a rationale for the use of C. baccatumvar. baccatumto control the Chagas vector bythe guaraní populations.

Climatic niche conservatism in a clade of disease vectors (Diptera: Phlebotominae)

Sandflies of the family Psychodidae show notable diversity in both disease vector status and climatic niche. Some species (in the subfamily Phlebotominae) transmit Leishmania parasites, responsible for the disease leishmaniasis. Other Psychodidae species do not. Psychodid species ranges can be solely tropical, confined to the temperate zones, or span both. Studying the relationship between the evolution of disease vector status and that of climatic niche affords an understanding not only of the climate conditions associated with the presence and species richness of Leishmania vectors, but also allows the study of the extent to which the climatic niches of psychodid flies are conserved, in a context with implications for global human health. We obtained observation site data, and associated climate data, for 223 psychodid species to understand which aspects of climate most closely predict distribution. Temperature and seasonality are strong determinants of species occurrence within the clade. We built a mitochondrial DNA phylogeny of Psychodidae, and found a positive relationship between pairwise genetic distance and climate niche differentiation, which indicates strong niche conservatism. This result is also supported by strong phylogenetic signals of metrics of climate differentiation. Finally, we used ancestral trait reconstruction to infer the tropicality (i.e., proportion of latitudinal range in the tropics minus the proportion of the latitudinal range in temperate areas) of ancestral species, and counted transitions to and from tropicality states, finding that tropical and temperate species respectively produced almost entirely tropical and temperate descendant species, a result consistent for vector and non-vector species. Taken together, these results imply that while vectors of Leishmania can survive in a variety of climates, their climate niches are strongly predicted by phylogeny.

SPECIES DISTRIBUTION UPDATE OF MANSONIA BLANCHARD, 1901 MOSQUITOES (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) IN INDONESIA WITH THE ILLUSTRATED KEY FOR FEMALE MOSQUITO

Mansonia is a genus of mosquitoes of which several species are confirmed vectors of lymphatic filariasis. Many countries including Indonesia are still struggling to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Report of the Mansonia mosquito diversity and its distribution is essential to develop the control strategies. Six of eight Mansonia species have been confirmed as lymphatic filariasis vectors in Indonesia. This paper aims to update the distribution of the Mansonia mosquito in Indonesia. Species distribution data were summarized from various literature regarding the Mansonia mosquito. The data is complemented by the results of the National Research on Disease Vector and Reservoir (Rikhus Vektora) results conducted by the National Institute of Health Research and Development (NIHRD) in 2015-2018. There were new distribution records for four species of Mansonia mosquitoes in Indonesia. Mansonia annulata Leicester, Ma. annulifera (Theobald), and Ma. indiana Edwards are now recorded distributed throughout the archipelago. Meanwhile, Ma. bonneae Edwards has a new distribution record in the Moluccas. The illustrated identification key for female Mansonia mosquitoes in Indonesia is provided in this paper.

Multifunctional activity of graphene oxide-based nanoformulation against the disease vector, Aedes aegypti

Aedes aegypti management is a global concern due to the absence of medication and effective vaccines. The pesticide-mediated health hazards and rising insecticide resistance in mosquitoes have aggravated the issues. As graphene Oxide (GO)- based nanoformulations are considered a novel mosquito management strategy; the present investigation evaluated the efficacy of GO-based nanoformulations conjugated with malathion (ML) and endosulphan (EN) against Ae. aegypti. The GO was synthesised by Hummers’ method and was confirmed by UV-visible spectral analysis. The GO-ML and GO-EN binary mixtures (1:1 and 1:2) were assayed for toxic potential against mosquito larvae as per WHO protocol and the dead larvae were scrutinized for morphological deformations/abnormalities. The contact irritancy potential of GO nanoformulations was also evaluated against adult Ae. aegypti. The UV-visible spectrum of GO showed a narrow and high peak at ~300 nm corresponding to an n-π* plasmon peak. The GO-insecticide binary mixtures augmented the ML and EN toxicity by 80.43% and 6.43-fold, respectively. The GO-ML mixture-exposed larvae revealed cuticular deposition of black soot while larvae exposed to GO-EN exhibited disintegrated gut viscera. GO-insecticide combinations increased flights in Ae. aegypti denoting irritant potential. The effectual toxic, abrasive and irritant activity of GO-insecticide nanoformulations recommends developing graphene-based toxicants for mosquito management

Recent trends in global insecticide use for disease vector control and potential implications for resistance management

Insecticides have played a major role in the prevention, control, and elimination of vector-borne diseases, but insecticide resistance threatens the efficacy of available vector control tools. A global survey was conducted to investigate vector control insecticide use from 2010 to 2019. Out of 140 countries selected as sample for the study, 87 countries responded. Also, data on ex-factory deliveries of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) were analyzed. Insecticide operational use was highest for control of malaria, followed by dengue, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. Vector control relied on few insecticide classes with pyrethroids the most used overall. Results indicated that IRS programs have been slow to react to detection of pyrethroid resistance, while proactive resistance management using insecticides with unrelated modes of action was generally weak. The intensive use of recently introduced insecticide products raised concern about product stewardship regarding the preservation of insecticide susceptibility in vector populations. Resistance management was weakest for control of dengue, leishmaniasis or Chagas disease. Therefore, it will be vital that vector control programs coordinate on insecticide procurement, planning, implementation, resistance monitoring, and capacity building. Moreover, increased consideration should be given to alternative vector control tools that prevent the development of insecticide resistance.

DESCRIPTION OF WORKING ENVIRONMENT SANITATION IN THE OFFICE BUILDING OF THE WARSHIP DIVISION PT PAL INDONESIA (PERSERO)

ABSTRACTSanitation is a public health effort that emphasizes mastery of various environmental factors that affect the degree of human health. Agencies that have a good and comfortable work environment will support improved performance for their employees. This study aimed to identify the description of working environment sanitation in the warship division office building at PT PAL INDONESIA (PERSERO). This research was observational. From the entire office space in the Warship Division, the five rooms with the most employees were selected for this research. The research instrument was an observation sheet with variables of building facilities, water supply, toilet, disease vector, lighting, noise, temperature, and humidity. Data analysis was performed descriptively with scoring. The results showed that four out of the five rooms (80%) that were observed had poor sanitation because they had a score of less than 75%. The results showed that the variables that were included in the criteria of lack of sanitation were toilets, lighting, temperature, and humidity. Suggestions given for the company are for building facilities, water supply, noise, and disease vector to be maintained because they are included in good sanitation criteria. Toilets, lighting, temperature, and humidity need to be fixed immediately, and reported to the officer responsible if things that can reduce the quality of office sanitation are observed. Keywords: sanitation, indoor air quality, work environment