Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Ochlerotatus'

Culex theileri e Ochlerotatus caspius (Diptera: Culicidae) são duas espécies de mosquitos reconhecidamente abundantes em Portugal. Embora consideradas espécies zoofílicas, devido ao seu comportamento oportunista, mais marcado em Oc. caspius, representam fonte de incomodidade nas suas áreas de distribuição e durante os períodos de maiores densidades populacionais. Além disso são ainda vectores de agentes patogénicos com importância médica e/ou veterinária. Este estudo teve como objectivos o levantamento destas espécies a nível do território de Portugal continental e o estudo da sua bioecologia na área da Comporta, Alcácer do Sal, distrito de Setúbal, bem como das perspectivas para o seu controlo usando o bioinsecticida Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti). As prospecções efectuadas durante este estudo permitiram confirmar a maior densidade de Cx. theileri no centro-sul do País e a distribuição costeira de Oc. caspius, apresentando-se estas espécies como as mais abundantes a seguir a Cx. pipiens. Na área da Herdade da Comporta, Alcácer do Sal, pelo contrário, Cx. theileri e Oc. caspius são quase sempre, respectivamente, a primeira e segunda espécies mais abundantes. São ainda as que mais picam o Homem, respectivamente 300 e 200 picadas por hora e Homem. Apresentam ainda ciclos diários de actividade que se complementam, tendo Oc. caspius dois picos de actividade, nos crepúsculos matutino e vespertino, e Cx. theileri mantendo níveis elevados de actividade ao longo da noite. Observou-se que Cx. theileri e Oc. caspius são mais adequadamente amostradas com armadilhas CDC/CO2, apresentando picos de abundância, mais alargados para Cx. theileri, durante os meses de Abril a Outubro. Na região de estudo, larvas de Cx. theileri podem ser encontradas nos arrozais e ainda em algumas valas associadas a actividade agrícola. Ochlerotatus caspius utiliza como biótopos larvares não só as depressões existentes no sapal que apenas são alagadas pelas marés vivas e água das chuvas, mas também os arrozais da região após a sua segunda inundação. Culex theileri está presente nos arrozais em todas as localidades positivas para culicídeos, o mesmo não se podendo dizer de Oc. caspius que, para além do sapal, foi identificado nos arrozais do Cambado, Possanco e Torre, não se registando no Carvalhal, sempre no início da campanha de cultivo do arroz, após a primeira drenagem, com a segunda inundação. Quanto às outras espécies, pelo contrário, pareceexistir uma tendência para serem encontradas já na fase final do ciclo de produção dos arrozais, quando é mais marcada a eutrofização das águas. Durante este estudo, nem Cx. theileri nem Oc. caspius foram encontrados a colonizar tanques, recipientes de armazenamento de água e bebedouros de animais. Na caracterização fisico-química da água dos biótopos potenciais prospectados encontrou-se menor teor de oxigénio dissolvido nos biótopos positivos para culicídeos em relação aos negativos. Não se registaram diferenças nos parâmetros da água dos biótopos de Cx. theileri, apresentando os biótopos de Oc. caspius pH, condutância específica, total de sólidos dissolvidos, salinidade e oxigénio dissolvido superiores, e potencial redox inferior, em relação aos dos biótopos larvares onde não estava presente. De um modo geral, ambas as espécies se encontram simultaneamente nas formas imaturas e adultas em todos os locais amostrados. Apresentando estas espécies um comportamento exofílico, uma das abordagens mais adequada para o controlo das suas populações será constituída por técnicas de redução das densidades larvares. Assim, procedeu-se à realização de ensaios de campo em pequena escala com o larvicida Bti em suspensão aquosa, tendo-se obtido percentagens significativas de redução da densidade larvar total 24h após o tratamento, sempre superiores a 85%. As densidades larvares totais apresentaram contudo uma franca recuperação durante a semana seguinte ao tratamento, facto que pensamos dever--se à reduzida dimensão e não isolamento da área tratada. Foi também determinada a sensibilidade de Cx. theileri de insectário à mesma formulação de Bti aplicada nos ensaios de campo, tendo-se calculado os valores 154,0 μg/l e 332,5 μg/l para a LD50 e LD90, respectivamente. Foi ainda possível avaliar o impacte do larvicida na duração do desenvolvimento dos indivíduos sobreviventes à exposição ao Bti durante 24h. A aplicação de Bti na área de estudo, parece apresentar-se então como uma das medidas a adoptar no controlo da incomodidade causada por estas espécies.<br>Culex theileri and Ochlerotatus caspius (Diptera: Culicidae) are recognised as two of the most abundant species of mosquitoes in Portugal. These species are considered zoophilic. However, due to their markedly opportunistic biting behaviour, particularly evident in Oc. caspius, they are an important source of nuisance to humans along their distribution areas and during high density periods. In addition, both species are vectors of pathogens of both medical and veterinary importance. This study aimed at surveying these species in Portugal mainland, studying their bioecoly in the area of Comporta, Alcácer do Sal, district of Setúbal, as well as the perspectives for their control, using the bioinsecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti). Country-wide surveys conducted in this study confirmed a higher density of Cx. theileri in the south-central region of Portugal and a coastal distribution for Oc. caspius. After Cx. pipiens, these were the most abundant mosquitoes in the country. However, in Herdade da Comporta, Alcácer do Sal, Cx. theileri and Oc. caspius were the first and the second most abundant species recorded. They were also the major human-biting mosquitoes with 300 and 200 bites per hour and per person, respectively. These species present complementary daily biting cycles, Oc. caspius has two biting peaks, in the morning and evening twilights, and Cx. theileri maintains high levels of activity through the night. We observed that Cx. theileri and Oc. caspius are more adequately sampled with CDC/CO2 traps, presenting peaks of abundance from April to October, wider for Cx. theileri. In the region studied, Cx. theileri larvae can be found in rice-fields and in ditches associated with agricultural activities. Ochlerotatus caspius explores small pools of brackish water in marshlands that are flooded by the large tides or by rainfall. Larvae of this species can also be found in rice fields particularly after their second flooding. Culex theileri is present in rice fields in all the localities positive for culicids, while Oc. caspius, was found in the marshland and was found in rice paddies of Cambado, Possanco and Torre, but not in Carvalhal, always at the beginning of the rice farming campaigns, after the first draining, with the second flooding. As for the other species, there is a tendency for their appearance towards the end of rice growing cycle, when the eutrophication of water is higher. During this study, neither Cx. theileri nor Oc. caspiuswere ever found in water tanks, water storage containers and animal drinking containers. In what concerns the physical and chemical characterization of the potencial biotopes water, a lesser amount of dissolved oxygen was found in the biotopes positive for culicids as opposed to the negative. No diferences were registered in the parameters of the biotopes positive for Cx. theileri, while the biotopes positive for Oc. caspius had higher pH, specific conductance, total dissolved solids, salinity and dissolved oxygen, and lower redox potential, in relation to the biotopes where this species was absent. Generally, both species were found simultaneously in the immature and adult forms in all the localities sampled. Since Cx. theileri and Oc. caspius are markedly exophilic, one of the most adequate approaches for control of their populations, should be aimed at larval reduction. Thus, small-scale field experiments with the larvicide Bti in aqueous suspension were carried out. Significant reductions, always above 85%, in total larval densities were obtained 24 h after treatment. However, larval densities increased to pre-treatment levels one week after Bti application. This could be explained by the relatively small area treated and by its lack of isolation from untreated areas. The susceptibility of Culex theileri from an insectary colony to the same formulation of Bti was determined in the laboratory with estimation of Lethal Dosages 50 and 90, as 154,0 μg/l and 332,5 μg/l for LD50 and LD90, respectively. The effect of the insecticide in the larval development of survivors that were exposed to Bti for 24h was also evaluated. In conclusion, the application of Bti can be considered as a measure to be adopted for the control of mosquito nuisance in the study area.

O género Flavivirus (Flaviviridae) inclui mais de setenta vírus com genoma a RNA de cadeia simples, muitos dos quais são importantes agentes patogénicos para o Homem e os outros animais. A maioria dos flavivírus pode ser transmitidos por carraças, mosquitos ou, aparentemente, restringir-se a vertebrados (Cook e Holmes, 2006). No entanto, um grupo de flavivírus designados “não clássicos”, não parece ter hospedeiro vertebrado conhecido. Estes últimos são comumente colocados junto à raiz de árvores filogenéticas do género Flavivirus, sendo frequentemente isolados em mosquitos, justificando a sua designação de vírus específicos de insectos (ISF, do inglês insect-specific flaviviruses) (Farfan-Ale et al., 2009). A classificação dos ISF como flavivírus tem sido suportada por semelhanças ao nível da sua organização genómica, perfil de hidropatia proteica, locais de clivagem conservados da sequência da poliproteína que codificam, e domínios enzimáticos. No entanto, são distintos em termos antigénicos, partilhando o mesmo nível de distância genética quando comparados com outros membros do género que quando comparados com outros dois outros géneros da família Flaviviridae (Cook e Holmes, 2006; Gould et al., 2003). Esta tese apresenta uma caracterização inicial, que inclui a obtenção da sequência genómica quase completa, de um novo ISF. Este vírus, com a designação proposta de OCFVPt, foi isolado de mosquitos adultos classificados como Aedes (Ochlerotatus) caspius (Pallas, 1771), os quais são encontrados em densidades elevadas nas zonas costeiras estuarinas dos distritos de Faro e Setúbal (Almeida et al., 2008). Este vírus replica rapidamente na linha celular C6/36 (derivada de Aedes albopictus), e, como esperado, não replica em células Vero. Contrariamente a outros ISF, o OCFVPt aparentemente causa efeito citopático óbvio em células C6/36, as quais, depois de infectadas, rapidamente se separam do suporte sólido da placa de crescimento, ficando pequenas e redondas. Análises por microscopia electrónica de secções finas de células C6/36 48h após infecção com OCFVPt revelaram uma hiperplasia nuclear acentuada com aumento do espaço entre as cisternas da membrana nuclear, no qual podem ainda ser encontradas vesículas de várias dimensões. O genoma do OCFVPt tem, no mínimo, 9.839 nt e codifica para uma única poliproteína com as caraterísticas normalmente associadas aos membros do género Flavivirus. As árvores filogenéticas geradas após alinhamento de sequências virais mostram que o OCFVPt forma, juntamente com HANKV (Huhtamo et al., 2012) um grupo monofilético distinto dentro da radiação dos ISF.<br>The genus Flavivirus (Flaviviridae) includes over seventy viruses with ssRNA genomes, many of which are important pathogens of humans and other animals. Flaviviruses comprehend tick-borne, mosquito-borne and no known vector viral agents, as well as so-called “non-classical flaviviruses” (Cook and Holmes, 2006) with no known vertebrate host. They are commonly placed at the roots of phylogenetic trees of the genus, are frequently found in mosquitoes, and have been tentatively designated insect-specific flaviviruses (ISF) (Farfan-Ale et al., 2009). While classification of ISF as flaviviruses is supported by their genetic organization, protein hydropathy plots, conserved polyprotein cleavage sites and enzyme domains, they are antigenically distinct from other flaviviruses, and share approximately the same level of nucleotide sequence identity with other members of the genus as when compared to the members of the two other established genera in the Flaviviridae family (Cook and Holmes, 2006; Gould et al., 2003). This work reports the initial characterization, including near full-length sequence and genome analysis, of an new ISF, tentatively designated OCFVPt, that was isolated from Aedes (Ochlerotatus) caspius (Pallas, 1771) adult mosquitoes, found in high densities in the coastal, and estuarine, districts of Setúbal and Faro (Almeida et al., 2008). This virus replicates rapidly in the Ae. albopitus-derived C6/36 cell line and, as expected for an ISF, does not replicate in Vero cells. Unexpectedly, unlike most ISF, OCFVPt seems to cause pronounced cytophatic effect in C6/36 cells, which round-up and rapidly detach from a solid support soon after infection. Electron microscope analysis of thin sections of C6/36 cells at 48h post-infection with OCFVPt revealed nuclear hyperplasy, and evident enlargement of the intercisternal space of the nuclear envelope, which is also filled with multiple sized vesicles. The OCFVPt genome is, at least, 9,839 nt long and encodes a single polyprotein showing all the features expected for a flaviviruses. The phylogenetic trees, based on alignment of viral sequences, resulted in similar topologies, in which OCFVPt always seems to form, along with the recently reported HANKV (Huhtamo et al., 2012), a divergent genetic line within the ISF radiation.

Amostras populacionais de Oc. scapularis foram coletadas nos municípios de Tremembé-SP (TRE), São Paulo-SP (SPA) e Itaboraí-RJ (ITA). Foram empregados como marcadores biológicos: o gene mitocondrial Citocromo Oxidase Subunidade-1 (COI), geometria alar e análise da genitália masculina. Tais marcadores são tradicionalmente reconhecidos pelo poder discriminante em estudos desta natureza. As populações ITA, TRE e SPA mostraram-se distintas quanto à forma alar, sugerindo baixo fluxo gênico entre elas. Foi verificado dimorfismo sexual em relação ao tamanho isométrico, à forma alar e ao grau de diferenciação populacional. A população de ITA apresentou menor tamanho dos centróides que as demais populações estudadas. Foi verificado amplo polimorfismo genético, tendo sido detectados 51 haplótipos de COI e apenas 11 compartilhados entre as populações ITA, TRE e SPA. Quando comparados com as populações de estudo anteriormente realizado por Devicari, 2010 encontramos um padrão parecido. Analisando conjuntamente os presentes dados com aqueles obtidos por Devicari, 2010, computamos 52 haplótipos sendo apenas alguns compartilhados. Os valores do índice de diferenciação genética <font face=\"Symbol\">Fst observados foram moderados somente entre SPA e ITA, nas demais populações estudadas a diferenciação foi baixa, a diferenciação observada foi compatível com a hipótese de distanciamento geográfico das populações coletadas. Analisando cada marcador biológico, concluímos que as populações estudadas não se tratam de complexo de espécies. Ainda não descartamos a existência de complexo dentro de Oc. scapularis, porém, para definitiva resposta a essa questão serão necessários mais estudos envolvendo populações de outras regiões.<br>Samples of Oc. scapularis were collected in the municipalities of Tremembé-SP (TRE), São Paulo-SP (SPA) and Itaboraí-RJ (ITA). We used the following biological markers: mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit-1 gene (COI), wing geometry and shape of male genitalia. These markers are traditionally known by its discriminating power in studies of this nature. ITA, SPA and TRE populations, showed distinct wing shape, suggesting low gene flow. We observed sexual dimorphism concerning the isometric size, wing shape and the degree of populational differentiation. ITA sample exhibited the lowest centroid sizes. We found high genetic polymorphism in all populational samples, being 51 COI haplotypes. Out of them, only 11 haplotypes were noted to be shared between at least two or three populations. When comparing our results with those of a previous survey conducted by Devicari (2010), we found a quite similar pattern of hign polymorfism. In total, both studies comprised 52 haplotypes. The <font face=\"Symbol\">Fst index of genetic differentiation values were considered \"moderate\" between ITA and SPA and \"low\" in the other comparisons. Present results are consistent with the hypothesis that populations are subjected to isolation by geographical distance. Analyzing together each biologcal marker, we conclude that populations studied do not consist a species complex. We do not rule out the possible occurence of a complex in Oc. scapularis, however, a definitive answer to this question will require further studies and sampling of populations from elsewhere.

Recently, the number of human cases of La Crosse encephalitis (LACE), an illness caused by mosquito-borne La Crosse (LAC) virus, has increased in southwestern Virginia, resulting in a need for better understanding of the virus cycle and the biology of its vectors in the region. This project examined the spatial and temporal distributions of the primary vector of LAC virus, Ochlerotatus triseriatus, and a potential secondary vector, Aedes albopictus. Ovitrapping surveys were conducted in 1998 and 1999 to determine distributions and oviposition habitat preferences of the two species in southwestern Virginia. For virus assay, adult mosquitoes were collected at a tire dump and a human case site during 1998 and 1999, and ovitrap samples were taken from a human case site in 2000. In a separate study, a landcover map of Wise County was created by supervised classification of Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper imagery, and maps indicating posterior probabilities of high mosquito abundance were created by combining ovitrap survey-derived, landcover-based prior and conditional probabilities for high and low mosquito abundance using remote sensing techniques and Bayesian decision-making rules. Both Oc. triseriatus and Ae. albopictus were collected from all ovitrap sites surveyed in Wise, Scott, and Lee Counties during 1998. Numbers of Oc. triseriatus remained high from late June through late August, while Ae. albopictus numbers increased gradually through June and July, reaching a peak in late August and declining thereafter. Overall, Oc. triseriatus accounted for 90.1% of eggs collected during this period, and Ae. albopictus made up the remaining 9.9%. Abundance of the two species differed among the sites, and in Wise County, relative Ae. albopictus abundance was highest in sites with traps placed in open residential areas. Lowest numbers of both species were found in densely forested areas. Ovitrapping at a human LACE case site during 1998 and 1999 revealed that Aedes albopictus was well-established and overwintering in the area. An oviposition comparison between yard and adjacent forest at the Duncan Gap human LACE case site in 1999 showed that Ae. albopictus preferentially oviposited in the yard surrounding the home over adjacent forested areas, but Oc. triseriatus showed no preference. LAC virus was isolated from 1 larval and 1 adult collection of Oc. triseriatus females from the Duncan Gap human case site, indicating the occurrence of transovarial transmission at this site. The supervised landcover classification for Wise County yielded a landcover map with an overall accuracy of 98% based on comparison of output classification with user-defined ground truth data. Posterior probability maps for Oc. triseriatus and Ae. albopictus abundance reflected seasonal and spatial fluctuations in mosquito abundance with an accuracy of 55-79% for Oc. triseriatus (Kappa=0.00-0.53) and 70-94% for Ae. albopictus (Kappa=0.00-0.49) when model output was compared with results of an ovitrapping survey. Other accuracy measures were also considered, and suggestions were offered for improvement of the model.<br>Master of Science

Ce travail de thèse étudie l'évolution des éclosions d'Aedes (Ochlerotatus) caspius (Pallas, 1771) (Culicidae) sur le littoral méditerranéen français dans un contexte de changement climatique. Aedes caspius est un moustique nuisant se développant dans les milieux naturels salés à submersions temporaires dont le cycle de vie est réglé par un nombre de paramètres environnementaux relativement limités. Nous avons tenté de mieux cerner les déterminants des dynamiques temporelles actuelle et future des éclosions d'Aedes caspius. L'étude de l'aire de répartition d'Aedes caspius à l'échelle du bassin méditerranéen a conduit à définir une enveloppe bioclimatique actuelle et future. L'ensemble des anomalies climatiques telles que envisagées par les scenarii A2 et B2 du GIEC (horizons 2020, 2050 et 2080) entraîne un élargissement de l'enveloppe bioclimatique vers le nord et l'ouest de la France, et potentiellement une extension de la zone d'intervention de l'Entente Interdépartementale pour la Démoustication Méditerranée (EID), sans toutefois exclure les zones humides actuellement démoustiquées. La dynamique temporelle a donc pu être étudiée à partir de la base de données des interventions quotidiennes de l'EID, sur la période 2004-2009. A cette échelle locale (3 105 ha) et tenant compte de la variabilité météorologique inter- et intra-annuelle sur la période, un modèle logistique binaire d'occurrences d'éclosion a été développé<br>This thesis studies the evolution of hatching of Aedes (Ochlerotatus) caspius (Pallas, 1771) (Culicidae) on the French Mediterranean coast in the context of climate change. Aedes caspius is a nuisance mosquito in natural salt to temporary submersion wetlands whose life cycle is regulated by a number of environmental parameters relatively limited. We tried to understand the determinants of temporal dynamics of current and future hatching of Aedes caspius. The study of the distribution area of Aedes caspius across the Mediterranean basin has led to the definition of present and future bioclimatic envelopes. The set of climatic anomalies such as envisaged by the scenarios A2 and B2 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (period 2020, 2050 and 2080) leads to an enlargement of the bioclimatic envelope to the north and west of France, and the potential extension of the present day intervention area of the Entente Interdépartementale pour la Démoustication Méditerranée (Interdepartmental Agreement for Mosquito Control Mediterranean (EID)). The temporal dynamics has been studied from the database of daily interventions of EID, over the period 2004-2009. At this local scale (3105 ha) and taking into account inter-and intra-annual meteorological variability, a binary logistic model of occurrences of daily outbreaks has been developed. The resulting model reports that the type of land use, minimum temperature, photoperiod, temperature amplitude and to a lesser extent precipitation and their variability are the main factors explaining the presence of Aedes caspius outbreaks

Microfilarial enhancement of viral transmission is well documented, however only one previously studied model used components that occur together in nature and therefore has realistic implications. La Crosse (LAC) virus encephalitis is the most common mosquito-borne illness affecting children in the United States. LAC virus is prevalent in the Great Lake and Mid-Atlantic states and coincidently this area overlaps the region of highest infection for Dirofilaria immitis, the nematode that cause canine heartworm disease. Ae. albopictus and Oc. triseriatus are important vectors of La Crosse virus and among the numerous species able to transmit D. immitis. In this study, Aedes albopictus and Ochlerotatus triseriatus were infected with La Crosse virus and Dirofilaria immitis to determine the effects of dual infection on the dissemination and transmission of the virus. The effects of dual infection varied between the species tested. Ae. albopictus had significantly higher tolerance to D. immitis infection than Oc. triseriatus. Dissemination for dually infected Ae. albopictus were higher than the control group for all days tested, except one. Transmission rates for D. immitis infected Ae. albopictus were significantly higher than the control group on day 14 post infection. No microfilarial enhancement of viral dissemination or transmission was observed for Oc. triseriatus. The infection, dissemination, and tranmission rates were low for both species compared to rates of previous studies. Low rates could be a result of low susceptibility for the strains tested. In a second study, mosquitoes were collected from two counties in Southwestern Virginia to determine the abundance of potential La Crosse virus and D. immitis vector species. The abundance and distribution of mosquito species were examined in 2003 and 2004 using gravid traps. An unexpected finding was the significant increase in the abundance of Ochlerotatus japonicus. In 2003, collections were made over 192 trap nights from June to August yielding 5,879 mosquitoes of which only 24 were Oc. japonicus. In 2004, 12,151 mosquitoes were trapped from June to September over 160 trap nights. Oc. japonicus was the second most abundant mosquito species and the dominant Ochlerotatus species collected in gravid traps. Oc. japonicus was collected in low numbers in June, but the abundance increased significantly in July and remained consistent throughout the rest of the season. Of the other major mosquito species collected in this study, only Aedes albopictus exhibited a similar seasonal pattern as Oc. japonicus. Other biological similarities of Oc. japonicus and Ae. albopictus are discussed.<br>Master of Science in Life Sciences

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-07-19T14:48:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristiane Maia da Silva.pdf: 1998511 bytes, checksum: 58b33e4aff3f932a9eed5c8296403044 (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-19T14:48:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristiane Maia da Silva.pdf: 1998511 bytes, checksum: 58b33e4aff3f932a9eed5c8296403044 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-24<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES<br>The insects from culicidae family are present in different habitats since homes until places of habitation of domestics animals. The State of Pernambuco is considered endemic for various diseases transmitted by Culicidae. This is the first survey about culicids in the Municipality of Cabo de Santo Agostinho. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of different species of Culicidae in the Cabo de Santo Agostinho county located in Rainforest Zone of Pernambuco, Brazil. For this purpose, the larvae of culicidae from 3rd and 4th instars were collected weekly during the period from October 2012 to September 2013. Twenty-three artificial traps were distributed and installed in domiciliary environments, peridomiciliary and within the forest, 20 meters away between them. The larvae were collected and transported in plastic containers containing water. When the larvae arrived in the laboratory were identified. A total of 12,718 culicids larvae (average of 1059.83 specimens / month) were collected during study period. The largest number of specimens was detected in September 2013 (n = 4,084) and lowest in December 2012 (n = 86). Notably, 2,441 (19.2%), 7,098 (55.9%) and 3,179 (24.9%) larvae were collected in domiciliary, peridomiciliary environments and at forest, respectively. In relation to the placement of traps (peridomicile and forest) 8,585 (67.5%) specimens were collected on the floor and 1,692 (13.3%) in the treetop. Ten different species of Culicidae were identified, the more often was Aedes albopictus (46.45%; 5,908/12,718), Culex maxi (35.56%; 4,523/12,718) and Limatus durhami (12.58%; 1,600/12,718). Interestingly, Ae. albopictus was the only species detected throughout all the study period (average of 492 specimens / month). In distributed traps in domicile environments Ae. albopictus was responsible for 95.58% (2,333/2,441) of the samples, while the predominance in around peridomicile (floor) traps were Cx maxi (73.22%; 4,523/6,177) species and (treetop) Ae. albopictus (97.94%, 902/921). The presence of Oc. scapularis was exclusively observed in the peridomicile floor traps, demonstrating the preference of this species in this local. This is very worrying, because this specie is epidemiologically important as vector in filariasis and arboviruses transmission. Thus, there is a need of evaluate the vector competence of the Oc. scapularis population of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco for D. immitis, W. bancrofti and arboviruses, considering epidemiologics aspects and public health importance. Although Ae. albopictus, the most common specie in the studied area, has presented two population peaks from February to April and from June to September, it is also possible to conclude that the human and animal populations who live in studied area are exposed to culicids and pathogenics agents, especially, after the rains. Therefore, control and prevention measures of culicids should be adopted in the studied area in order to reduce the health impact of endemic species here reported.<br>Os culicídeos estão presentes em diferentes habitats frequentando domicílios humanos e locais de permanência de animais domésticos. O Estado de Pernambuco é considerado endêmico para diversas doenças transmitidas por culicídeos. Trata-se do primeiro levantamento de culicideos realizado na região do Cabo de Santo Agostinho, PE. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de diferentes espécies de culicídeos no município do Cabo de Santo Agostinho, na zona da Mata do estado de Pernambuco. Para tanto, larvas de culicídeos de 3º e 4º estádios foram coletadas, semanalmente, em criadouros artificiais no período de outubro de 2012 a setembro de 2013. Foram instaladas 23 armadilhas artificiais do tipo larvitrampa distribuídas em ambientes domiciliar, peridomiciliar e dentro da mata distando 20 metros entre elas. As larvas coletadas foram transportadas em recipientes plásticos contendo água e no laboratório foram identificadas. Um total de 12.718 larvas de culicídeos (média de 1.059,83 espécimes/mês) foi coletado durante o período de estudo. O maior número de espécimes foi detectado em Setembro de 2013 (n = 4.084) e o menor em Dezembro de 2012 (n = 86). Particularmente, 2.441 (19,2%), 7.098 (55,9%) e 3.179 (24,9%) larvas foram coletados nos ambientes domiciliar, peridomiciliar e de mata, respectivamente. Em relação ao posicionamento das armadilhas (peridomicílio e mata) 8.585 (67,5%) espécimes foram coletados no solo e 1.692 (13,3%) na copa. Dez diferentes espécies de culicídeos foram identificadas sendo Aedes albopictus (46,45%; 5.908/12.718), Culex maxi (35,56%; 4.523/12.718) e Limatus durhami (12,58%; 1.600/12.718) as mais frequentes. Curiosamente Ae. albopictus foi a única espécie detectada durante todo o período de estudo (média 492 espécimes/mês). Nas armadilhas distribuídas nos ambientes domiciliares houve predominância da espécie Ae. albopictus (95,58%; 2.333/2.441) enquanto nas posicionadas no peridomicílio (solo) predominou a espécie Cx. (Cx.) maxi (73,22%; 4.523/6.177) e (copa) Ae. albopictus (97,94%; 902/921). Nas armadilhas localizadas na mata várias espécies foram encontradas sendo Li. durhami (50,33%; 1.212/2.408) predominante no solo e Ae. albopictus no solo (38,12%; 918/2.408) e copa (55,71%; 430/771). Foi observada também a presença de Oc. scapularis, com frequência nas armadilhas instaladas no solo do peridomicílio demonstrando a domiciliação dessa espécie na área estudada, o que é muito preocupante, uma vez que essa espécie tem importância epidemiológica, pois possui competência vetorial para a transmissão de diversas arboviroses e filarioses. Conclui-se que há a necessidade, então, de avaliar o potencial vetorial da população de Oc. scapularis do Cabo de Santo Agostinho, PE para D. immitis, W. bancrofti e arboviroses considerando os aspectos epidemiológicos e a importância para saúde pública. Embora Ae. albopictus, a espécie mais frequente na área estudada, tenha apresentando dois picos populacionais, de Fevereiro a Abril e de Junho a Setembro, é possível concluir também que a população humana e animal residente na área de estudo está exposta aos culicídeos e aos agentes por eles veículados durante todo o ano, sobretudo após o período de chuvas. Portanto, medidas de controle e prevenção dos culicídeos devem ser adotadas na área estudada visando a redução do impacto sanitário causado pela endemicidade das espécies aqui reportadas.

Accurate identification of pathogens and vectors is essential in epidemiological studies of mosquito-borne pathogens. However, the members of the communis and punctor complexes are difficult to distinguish because they are highly cryptic species, with little to no species-specific morphological characters. The objective of this thesis is to develop molecular tools, including RFLP and DNA barcoding using cytochrome oxidase I (COI), internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and the intron of ribosomal protein S12 (RPS12) to facilitate identification of the members of these two complexes in Manitoba. A distinct interspecific distance for COI was found between the members of the communis complex included here, and diagnostic RFLP profiles were developed for Oc. communis and Oc. churchillensis. Relatively low average interspecific genetic distances using COI, ITS2 and RPS12 were observed between the members of the punctor complex, indicates no discernable boundaries between these species based on DNA barcoding.