Study Shows American Dog Ticks in Western U.S. Are a Separate Species
Researchers have split the medically important American dog tick into two species: the existing Dermacentor variabilis in eastern states and the newly described Dermacentor similis west of the Rocky Mountains.
Why Genes That Make Mosquitoes Glow Can Help Reduce Vector-Borne Disease
Genes that make mosquitoes glow under UV light help scientists measure the spread of transgenic mosquitoes after they've been released to suppress wild populations of vector mosquito species. A recent study identifies a new promoter gene for turning on fluorescent protein production in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Commonly Used Acaricides Found Effective on Invasive Tick
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis), an invasive species in the U.S., is a threat to cattle and other livestock. A new study finds several pesticides used to manage other tick species are equally effective against the new arrival.
Inducing Mosquitoes to Lay Eggs Aids in Insecticide Resistance Testing
Testing field-caught mosquitoes for insecticide resistance is a critical effort in the fight against malaria and other vector-borne diseases. Researchers in Thailand say a "forced oviposition" method has proven successful in inducing field-caught Anopheles mosquitoes to lay eggs and spawn lab populations big enough for insecticide-resistance testing.