Breeding Sites Research Articles

Comparative biotoxicity study for identifying better alternative insecticide especially green nano-emulsion which used as mosquitocides

This research work was planned to test biosafety of different nanomaterials on the different animals models. These nanoparticles were previously used as potential insecticides of mosquito larvae. The biosafety of these nanoproducts were evaluated on certain organs of non target animals that associated with mosquito breeding sites in Egypt. Animal organs such as the kidneys of rats, toads, and the fish’s spleen were used as models to study the biological toxicity of these nanomaterials. After 30 days of the animals receiving the nanomaterials in their water supply, different cell mediated immune cells were assessed in these tissues. Both TNF-α and BAX immuno-expression were also used as immunohistochemical markers. Histopathology was conducted to detect the effect of the tested nanoproducts at the tissue level of the liver and kidneys of both the rats and toads. Green nanoemulsion of the lavender essential oil was relatively more effective, safe, and biodegradable to be used as insecticides against mosquito larvae than the metal-based nanomaterials.

Effect of spatiotemporal variables on abundance, biting activity and parity of Nyssorhynchus darlingi (Diptera: Culicidae) in peri-Iquitos, Peru

BackgroundIn malaria endemic regions of the Peruvian Amazon, rainfall together with river level and breeding site availability drive fluctuating vector mosquito abundance and human malaria cases, leading to temporal heterogeneity. The main variables influencing spatial transmission include location of communities, mosquito behaviour, land use/land cover, and human ecology/behaviour. The main objective was to evaluate seasonal and microgeographic biting behaviour of the malaria vector Nyssorhynchus (or Anopheles) darlingi in Amazonian Peru and to investigate effects of seasonality on malaria transmission.MethodsWe captured mosquitoes from 18:00 to 06:00 h using Human Landing Catch in two riverine (Lupuna, Santa Emilia) and two highway (El Triunfo, Nuevo Horizonte) communities indoors and outdoors from 8 houses per community, during the dry and rainy seasons from February 2016 to January 2017. We then estimated parity rate, daily survival and age of a portion of each collection of Ny. darlingi. All collected specimens of Ny. darlingi were tested for the presence of Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites using real-time PCR targeting the small subunit of the 18S rRNA.ResultsAbundance of Ny. darlingi varied across village, season, and biting behaviour (indoor vs outdoor), and was highly significant between rainy and dry seasons (p < 0.0001). Biting patterns differed, although not significantly, and persisted regardless of season, with peaks in highway communities at ~ 20:00 h in contrast to biting throughout the night (i.e., 18:00–06:00) in riverine communities. Of 3721 Ny. darlingi tested for Plasmodium, 23 (0.62%) were infected. We detected Plasmodium-infected Ny. darlingi in both community types and most (20/23) were captured outdoors during the rainy season; 17/23 before midnight. Seventeen Ny. darlingi were infected with P. vivax, and 6 with P. falciparum. No infected Ny. darlingi were captured during the dry season. Significantly higher rates of parity were detected in Ny. darlingi during the rainy season (average 64.69%) versus the dry season (average 36.91%) and by community, Lupuna, a riverine village, had the highest proportion of parous to nulliparous females during the rainy season.ConclusionsThese data add a seasonal dimension to malaria transmission in peri-Iquitos, providing more evidence that, at least locally, the greatest risk of malaria transmission is outdoors during the rainy season mainly before midnight, irrespective of whether the community was located adjacent to the highway or along the river.

Mercury monitoring in the coastal areas of the Republic of Korea using the black-tailed gull egg as an indicator

In the southeast and east coasts of the Republic of Korea, it is essential to monitor mercury accumulation in coastal organisms in view of the higher mercury distribution in sediments and human samples. However, mercury pollution monitoring in organisms, especially higher trophic-level organisms that can exhibit high mercury accumulation, is limited. Here, we examined the applicability of the eggs of the black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris), which belongs to a high trophic level, for mercury monitoring in coastal areas. Breeding sites were selected in West, Southeast, and East Seas with different mercury concentrations in other matrices (sediment and biological samples of residents). The 5-year mean total mercury concentration in eggs collected during the breeding seasons from 2016 to 2020 was lower in Baengnyeongdo (705 ± 81 ng/g dry weight (dry), West Sea) than in Hongdo (1,207 ± 214 ng/g dry, Southeast Sea) and Ulleungdo (1,095 ± 95 ng/g dry, East Sea). The different patterns of mercury concentration in gull eggs among the breeding sites was consistent with those in the other matrices among the coastal areas. These results support the applicability of the black-tailed gull egg as an indicator for establishing a monitoring framework in the coastal areas of the Republic of Korea.

Mapping malaria vectors and insecticide resistance in a high-endemic district of Haryana, India: implications for vector control strategies

BackgroundAchieving effective control and elimination of malaria in endemic regions necessitates a comprehensive understanding of local mosquito species responsible for malaria transmission and their susceptibility to insecticides.MethodsThe study was conducted in the highly malaria prone Ujina Primary Health Center of Nuh (Mewat) district of Haryana state of India. Monthly entomological surveys were carried out for adult mosquito collections via indoor resting collections, light trap collections, and pyrethrum spray collections. Larvae were also collected from different breeding sites prevalent in the region. Insecticide resistance bioassay, vector incrimination, blood meal analysis was done with the collected vector mosquitoes.ResultsA total of 34,974 adult Anopheles mosquitoes were caught during the survey period, out of which Anopheles subpictus was predominant (54.7%). Among vectors, Anopheles stephensi was predominant (15.5%) followed by Anopheles culicifacies (10.1%). The Human Blood Index (HBI) in the case of An. culicifacies and An. stephensi was 6.66 and 9.09, respectively. Vector incrimination results revealed Plasmodium vivax positivity rate of 1.6% for An. culicifacies. Both the vector species were found resistant to DDT, malathion and deltamethrin.ConclusionThe emergence of insecticide resistance in both vector species, compromises the effectiveness of commonly used public health insecticides. Consequently, the implementation of robust insecticide resistance management strategies becomes imperative. To effectively tackle the malaria transmission, a significant shift in vector control strategies is warranted, with careful consideration and adaptation to address specific challenges encountered in malaria elimination efforts.

Drone-based monitoring and geomorphology of southern giant petrel nests near Palmer Station, western Antarctic Peninsula

Human activities and climate change threaten seabirds globally, and many species are declining from already small breeding populations. Monitoring of breeding colonies can identify population trends and important conservation concerns, but it is a persistent challenge to achieve adequate coverage of remote and sensitive breeding sites. Southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) exemplify this challenge: as polar, pelagic marine predators they are subject to a variety of anthropogenic threats, but they often breed in remote colonies that are highly sensitive to disturbance. Aerial remote sensing can overcome some of these difficulties to census breeding sites and explore how local environmental factors influence important characteristics such as nest-site selection and chick survival. To this end, we used drone photography to map giant petrel nests, repeatedly evaluate chick survival and quantify-associated physical and biological characteristics of the landscape at two neighboring breeding sites on Humble Island and Elephant Rocks, along the western Antarctic Peninsula in January–March 2020. Nest sites occurred in areas with relatively high elevations, gentle slopes, and high wind exposure, and statistical models predicted suitable nest-site locations based on local spatial characteristics, explaining 72.8% of deviance at these sites. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of drones as a tool to identify, map, and monitor seabird nests, and to quantify important habitat associations that may constitute species preferences or sensitivities. These may, in turn, contextualize some of the diverse population trajectories observed for this species throughout the changing Antarctic environment.

Diversity and Distribution of Culicidian Fauna in Urban and Rural Areas of Setif Region (North-East Algeria).

Objective: The study explored larval mosquito breeding sites in urban and rural areas from March 2021 to February 2022 in the North-East region of Algeria to provide information on larval biology and ecology of different mosquito species. Methodology: It focused on the effect of the physicochemical characteristics of the breeding sites (pH and water temperature), area, and months on the larval mosquito abundance. Diversity index and equitability were calculated for the registered mosquito species in both areas. Results: Months significantly affected the larval mosquito abundances, with a clear abundance increase from March to August 2021, and then, a clear decrease to February 2022. The interactions between rural and urban areas, water pH, and water temperature as well affected the mosquito abundance. Twelve species of Culicidae were identified and distributed in three genera: Culex, Culiseta, and Aedes. Culex pipiens was the most dominant species in rural and urban sites, with a rate of 69% and 48%, respectively. In rural site, Aedes caspius and Aedes vexans occupied the second position with value of 7-8% each. In urban sites, the second position was occupied by Culiseta longiareolata (36%) and then by Culex theileri (10%). In terms of site diversity, only one site was highly diversified in rural sites, El Hchichia (H' = 1.12 bits). In urban sites, Setif Center, Guellel an Ain Trick, had almost similar diversity with values between 1.03 and 1.04 bits. Equitability values were 0.48 in rural sites and 0.55 in urban sites. Therefore, the Culicidae species presented in these study sites are moderately balanced. Conclusion: The present study provides key tools for planning a better vector control through the information on the effect of some factors on the proliferation of mosquitoes in the urban and rural sites of the Setif region and on the Culicidae diversity and abundance.

Systematic Review of Impacts of Educational Interventions to Control Breeding Sites of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Mosquitoes.

Community participation is a critical element in the management of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus breeding sites. Many educational interventions have been conducted to encourage prevention and elimination of breeding sites among different community actors, such as government-run programs for vector surveillance aimed at preventing and eliminating breeding sites at the household level within a community. Getting people involved in prevention and elimination of vector breeding sites in their communities requires communication and social mobilization strategies to promote and reinforce those prevention actions that, in turn, should be effective from the entomological standpoint. Articles published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, were reviewed to assess whether educational interventions targeting Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were effective in reducing entomological indicators or in improving practices to prevent the presence of or eliminate breeding sites. The most widely used indicators were larval indices and the practices associated with reducing/eliminating breeding sites. We found that using a community-based approach adapted to eco-epidemiological and sociocultural scenarios explains the reduction of entomological indicators by educational interventions. Those who design or implement educational interventions should strengthen the evaluation of those interventions using qualitative approaches that provide a more complete picture of the social context and the barriers and facilitators to implementing vector control. Engaging school children in cross-sectorial collaboration involving the health and education spheres promotes the participation of the community in vector surveillance and reduces the risk of arboviral disease transmission.

Goat flock abortion: a retrospective study at Abergelle Agricultural Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia

BackgroundSmall ruminants are the principal component of livestock production in Tigray region, Ethiopia. But their productivity is affected by various factors. According to farmers and expert observation, goat abortion is among the leading causes of production losses in Tanqua-Abergelle district. However, study findings that examine the extent of distribution and economic impact of abortion cases in goats in the district are scarce. This retrospective study investigated the occurrence of abortion and its associated risk factors in three goat breed types at Abergelle Agricultural Research Center goat breeding site over a seven year period. The study included a total of does above one year old, and data were collected from a casebook that was specifically prepared for abortion cases. A thorough follow up was conducted to identify abortion cases. Additionally, a community survey was conducted in selected villages where the research center is located.ResultsThe overall abortion proportion was 29.8% in the goat farm. Begait goat breeds had the highest abortion proportion (50.9%, CI 0.36–0.64) in 2015/16. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified year, season, age and breed as major risk factors of abortion occurrence at flock level. Accordingly, the likelihood of goats experiencing abortion during the dry season (proportion = 34) was 1.87 times higher compared to those in the wet season (proportion = 22.8). Begait breeds had a higher incidence of abortion (proportion 37.5%, OR 4.87, CI 2.49–10.35) compared to other breeds. Age was negatively associated with abortion, suggesting that older goats (OR = 0.67) had a higher relative risk than younger goats (OR = 0.57). Moreover, the study noted a high incidence of abortion during the years 2014/15 to 2016/17 (proportion = 35.7–39.7). Within-breed analysis revealed that age and season were significant risk factors for Abergelle and Begait breeds, respectively by using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. A community survey indicated that 89.7% households responded their goats experienced abortion.ConclusionsThis study highlighted the high prevalence of goat abortion at Abergelle and identifies important risk factors associated with its occurrence. The findings can inform targeted interventions to reduce abortion rates and improve goat productivity in the district.

Mosquitoes in urban green spaces and cemeteries in northern Spain

BackgroundMosquitoes inhabiting urban green spaces and cemeteries in Europe represent a crucial facet of public health concern and contribute to the ecological balance. As urbanization intensifies, these areas increasingly serve as vital habitats for various mosquito species, fostering breeding grounds and increasing the risk of disease transmission.MethodsA study was conducted in the three main cities (inland, coastal, and estuarine) of the Basque Country, northern Spain, to investigate the species composition, abundance, dynamic populations, larval habitats, and host preferences of mosquitoes in urban green spaces and cemeteries. CDC traps and dipping were used to collect mosquitoes for 2 years (2019–2020).ResultsA total of 21 mosquito species were identified, with Culex pipiens s.l. being the most abundant and widespread. The three ecological forms of Cx. pipiens were found, and Cx. pipiens pipiens was the most common in both green areas and cemeteries. Morphological identification together with molecular tools identified 65 COI sequences with high homology. The highest species richness was found in the inland city, followed by the coastal city and the estuarine city. Mosquito abundance was significantly higher in green areas compared to cemeteries and in the coastal and estuarine cities compared to the inland city. The investigation of larval breeding sites highlighted the dominance of Cx. pipiens s.l., particularly in semi-artificial ponds, diverse water-holding containers (tyres and buckets) and drainage systems in green areas; in cemeteries, most of the larvae were found in flowerpots and funerary urns. Seasonal activity exhibited variable peaks in mosquito abundance in the different cities, with a notable increase in July or August. Additionally, blood meal analysis revealed that Cx. pipiens s.l. fed on several common urban avian species.ConclusionsStudies on mosquitoes are essential to understand their role in disease transmission and to design targeted and sustainable management strategies to mitigate the associated risks.Graphical

Acoustic difference in advertisement calls among two sympatric Boulenophrys species: A confirmatory case to acoustic niche hypothesis and morphological constraint hypothesis.

In anurans, acoustic communication is the most important form of communication at the interspecific and intraspecific levels. Acoustic diagnostic features may be a potential alternative to morphometric and molecular diagnostics. Here, we assessed the variations in advertisement calls between two sympatric species, Boulenophrys leishanensis and Boulenophrys spinata, that share their breeding season and breeding sites. In addition, we investigated any potential relationships between call parameters and body size. We found that the advertisement calls of both species are simple calls. The two species exhibited significant differences in all call parameters. Both B. leishanensis and B. spinata showed a significant negative correlation with their body size on dominant frequency. These differences in call parameters may play an important role in interspecific recognition. Additionally, because intraspecific acoustic variation reflects body size, calls may be relevant for sexual selection. Our study supports the acoustic niche hypothesis and the morphological constraint hypothesis and calls are a valid tool for distinguishing between the two species of Boulenophrys in the field.

Atypical Dengue Outbreak in Odisha: Insights from the Entomological Investigations.

An outbreak of dengue fever struck Tikarapada village, Rayagada district (April 2020). Among 117 fever cases, 49 tested positive for the dengue NS1 antigen. To identify mosquito-related factors in the outbreak, a survey of 101 houses found Aedes breeding sites in 11.6% of containers. Aedes aegypti (79%) and Aedes albopictus (21%) emerged from collected pupae. The village exhibited high (house index = 24.8), (container index = 11.6), (pupal index = 32.7), and (Breteau index = 40.6) indices. The findings confirmed the presence of Aedes and ample breeding sites, suggesting their role in the outbreak. A report recommending integrated vector control measures was submitted to district and state health authorities.

Puddles, creeks, and drainage: connected histories of water and malaria in Zanzibar, 1910–2021

This article draws on a combination of archival and oral sources in order to highlight the connected histories of water and malaria on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar (Unguja) over the past century. We argue that in both the past and the present, water and malaria have been deeply connected, through the lifecycle of the disease, through control measures enacted, and in how Zanzibari residents continue to talk about the relationship between rain, puddles, stagnant water, and disease. Archival sources show that between roughly 1913 and 1957, the British colonial government managed malaria by managing water. That entailed a focus on watery breeding sites that included attention to both the micro: cattle hoofprints, and the macro: a multi-decade drainage of the tidal creek and surrounding swamp. These water-based malaria control efforts were limited in their efficacy by being geographically restricted to urban Zanzibar Town, and often limited to just the Stone Town area. 98 interviews conducted with Zanzibaris about malaria indicate that people continue to draw strong connections between malaria and the environment (mazingira), and that they most commonly discuss water’s relationship with malaria in terms of puddles (dimbwi/madimbwi), small puddles (kidimbwi/vidimbwi) and stagnant water (maji yaliyotuama).

Protecting breeding sites: a critical goal for the conservation of the golden eagle in Mexico under global change scenarios

Impacts of global climate and land‐use changes on distribution patterns and breeding sites remain today poorly studied for several vulnerable emblematic bird species, including the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Herein, we analyzed the potential effect of global climate changes and agricultural activities on the distribution patterns of this top predator across Mexico. We assessed the long-term role of protected areas (PAs) for safeguarding the species’ overall distribution and its breeding sites. We evaluated current and future (2040s, 2060s, and 2080s) threats from global change using ecological niche modeling and geographic information system approaches to determine the percentage of the species’ distribution area that overlaps with highly human-modified areas and PAs under each climate scenario. We also used niche overlap tests to assess whether the species’ breeding sites show equivalence or similarity of climatic conditions over time. Our findings revealed shifts in the Golden Eagle’s distributional area, with an overall size reduction (by ~ 57% in the 2040s and ~ 78% in the 2080s) due to future environmental changes, mainly attributable to increasingly dry and warm conditions. Mexican PAs cover ~ 12% of the Golden Eagle’s range across country, but this decreased by > 33% on average under the species’ future distributions. Although the hypothesis of equivalent climatic conditions at breeding sites over time was rejected, those sites did have long-term climate similarity (niche overlap: 0.75–0.83; P < 0.05). Considering the species’ nest site fidelity and that colonization of new areas within Mexico seems unlikely, protection of these breeding sites is a critical step for the long-term conservation of this emblematic species in Mexico.

The spatiotemporal properties of artificial feeding schemes influence the post-fledging movement of Egyptian Vultures

Abstract Many vulture populations have severely declined in the past decades, showing high juvenile mortality. To support these populations, feeding stations are used to increase food availability and to supply food without antibiotics and toxic compounds. Yet, supplying food at feeding stations may affect vulture behavior. We present a large-scale field experiment testing how different food provision schemes affected the movement of Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus). We used GPS transmitters harnessed to 18 vulture chicks and described their movements post-fledging. We categorized the vultures into 3 groups according to the feeding scheme used at feeding stations near their nests: frequent and spatially dispersed food supply (FD); non-frequent and spatially dispersed food supply (NFD); and frequent food supply, concentrated in one location (FC). We found that birds from all three groups increased their roosting distances from the nest with fledgling age, with the NFD and FC groups showing a greater increase than the FD group. Additionally, all 3 groups increased their daily flight distances, with the NFD group presenting the largest increase and the FD group presenting the smallest increase. Our findings offer new insights into the relevance of spatiotemporal differences in the management of feeding stations and show its effect on movement during birds’ early life stages, creating 2 main movement patterns: local and regional. Our findings can help decide upon the preferable feeding scheme in a way that will either encourage or reduce the early dispersal distances of fledglings, according to long- and short-term conservation objectives. For example, local movements during the post fledging period to known and stable food resources may reduce the risk of anthropogenic-induced mortality, while it may negatively affect long-term survival by hindering foraging, flight, and exploring skills and affect dispersion to future breeding sites.

The Correlation Between Sociodemographic Status, Attitudes, and Family Behavior with the Status of PSN (Eradication of Mosquito Breeding Sites) Regularity of Endemic Dengue Fever in the Area of Purwokerto Barat

Background: Dengue Fever (DF) is an endemic disease in Indonesia, especially in tropical climate regions, and remains a significant public health issue. The cases of DF from 2019 to 2022 have shown fluctuating trends. Dengue fever prevention involves efforts such as the Eradication of Mosquito Breeding Sites (PSN), where the success of PSN is measured by the Larval Free Index (LFI), aiming to achieve the government target of LFI 95%. Method: This study employed a quantitative research approach with a correlational design using a cross-sectional approach. The study population in West Purwokerto. The sample was 110 respondents using the Lemeshow formula. The instrument included a questionnaire sheet and was analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: The majority of respondents are around 45 years old with a regular PSN status (58.2%), have a high school education (56.4%), are unemployed (62.7%), have a low income (53.6%), and exhibit infrequent mobility (84.5%). The respondents generally display positive attitudes (90%) and good family behavior (59.1%). The findings indicate a correlation between sociodemographic factors such as age (p=0.020), education (p=0.001), occupation (p=0.03), household income (p=0.035), but no correlation with mobility (p=0.187), and the status of PSN regularity. There is a correlation between attitudes (p=0.026) and family behavior (p=0.0001) with the status of PSN regularity in the West Purwokerto Region. Conclusion: There is a correlation between sociodemographic factors, including age, education, occupation, household income, and the status of PSN regularity. There is a relationship between attitudes and family behavior with the status of PSN regularity.

Recurrence, fidelity and proximity to previously visited sites throughout the annual cycle in a trans‐Saharan migrant, the common cuckoo

Most migratory birds return every year to the same breeding sites and some species show a similarly high fidelity to wintering grounds as well. Fidelity to stopover sites during migration has been much less studied and is usually found to be lower. Here, we investigate site fidelity and distance to previously visited sites throughout the annual cycle in the common cuckoo, a nocturnal trans‐Saharan migrant, based on satellite‐tracking data from repeated annual migrations of thirteen adult males. All birds (100%) returned to the same breeding grounds, with a median shortest distance of only 1 km from the locations in previous year. This was in strong contrast to a much lower and much less precise site fidelity at non‐breeding sites during the annual cycle: In only 18% of the possible cases in all non‐breeding regions combined, did the cuckoos return to within 50 km of a previously visited non‐breeding site, with no significant differences among the main staging regions (Europe in autumn, Sahel in autumn, wintering in Central Africa, West Africa in spring, Europe in spring). The shortest distance to a previously visited non‐breeding site differed among the staging regions with median shortest distances for the longest stopovers of 131 km [2;1223] (median [min;max]) in Europe, 207 km [1;2222] in Sahel in autumn and 110 km [0;628] in Central Africa. The distance to a previously visited staging site decreased with the time spent at the stopover in a previous year. Understanding the drivers of recurrence and site selection in migratory birds are important for guiding conservation efforts in this group but further studies are needed to establish whether the patterns observed in cuckoos are general among terrestrial migrants with continuous distribution of habitat.

Human infrastructures correspond to higher Adélie penguin breeding success and growth rate.

Anthropogenic activities generate increasing disturbance in wildlife especially in extreme environments where species have to cope with rapid environmental changes. In Antarctica, while studies on human disturbance have mostly focused on stress response through physiological and behavioral changes, local variability in population dynamics has been addressed more scarcely. In addition, the mechanisms by which breeding communities are affected around research stations remain unclear. Our study aims at pointing out the fine-scale impact of human infrastructures on the spatial variability in Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colonies dynamics. Taking 24 years of population monitoring, we modeled colony breeding success and growth rate in response to both anthropic and land-based environmental variables. Building density around colonies was the second most important variable explaining spatial variability in breeding success after distance from skua nests, the main predators of penguins on land. Building density was positively associated with penguins breeding success. We discuss how buildings may protect penguins from avian predation and environmental conditions. The drivers of colony growth rate included topographical variables and the distance to human infrastructures. A strong correlation between 1-year lagged growth rate and colony breeding success was coherent with the use of public information by penguins to select their initial breeding site. Overall, our study brings new insights about the relative contribution and ecological implications of human presence on the local population dynamics of a sentinel species in Antarctica.

Seasonal movements of Black Coucals Centropus grillii in Nigeria

The scale of movement associated with the migration of many intra-African bird species is still poorly known even with the increasing availability of tracking devices. In this study, we tracked the movements of Black Coucals Centropus grillii breeding in Nigeria from late July using satellite telemetry. Individuals remained on the breeding site for several months; two individuals transmitted after October and these two moved shorter distances (< 100 km) away from the breeding site in early December. One of these was tracked for a full year, moving to a site 175 km south of the breeding site in early January and returning to the breeding site in late May. The bird migrated faster during the return journey (58 km day−1) as compared to the post-breeding journey (5.9 km day−1). The overall home range (90% kernel density) during breeding was 20.4 ± 3.3 km2 (mean ± s.d.) and the core (50%) 5.0 ± 1.6 km2 with no apparent clear change outside of the breeding season. Vegetation conditions at the distant site were apparently poorer although in an average year the move would have led to improved conditions. Short-distance seasonal migration of Black Coucals might be widespread in drier seasonal habitats.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ANOPHELES BREEDING PLACES IN DAHIAN TAMBUK VILLAGE, GUNUNG MAS DISTRICT, CENTRAL KALIMANTAN

Background: Malaria cases in Dahian Tambuk Village have been ranked first for four consecutive years in Gunung Mas District. Purpose: This study aims to describe the physical and chemical characteristics of Anopheles breeding places in Dahian Tambuk Village, Gunung Mas District. Method: It is a descriptive study using a survey method. The characteristics studied were Anopheles species, number, temperature, salinity, breeding sites, and density of larvae found in each breeding site. Result: Seven breeding places were found positive to contain Anopheles larvae, consisting of puddles, fish ponds, and sewers. The sewer was predominantly found. Physical characteristics of water showed a temperature ranging from 29.9 0C - 35 0C, pH levels between 5.35 - 6, and a salinity of 0 ppt, with a density level of 9 larvae/2 dippers. The species of Anopheles larvae found in all breeding sites was identified as Anopheles kochi. Conclusion: Seven breeding sites found in the studied area consisted of puddles, fish ponds, and sewers, with physical characteristics that qualify for Anopheles larvae in general An. kochi was the only species of larvae found in all breeding sites.

Spatial variation in cocoa insect pest populations and its implication for pest management

ABSTRACT Currently, mirids, stink bugs and coreid bugs are the most important insect pests of cocoa in Ghana. The populations of these insect pests are known to be influenced by the availability of food and breeding sites, as well as the macro and micro climates in cocoa farms. The study investigated variations in the population dynamics of these pests and their damage trends within a square mile (259 hectares). Pest numbers and damage were assessed monthly on 100 trees per plot from 2015 to 2020, each plot measuring one acre (0.4 hectare). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in pest numbers and damage symptoms of the different pest species for the various months of assessment. Populations of each pest species (mirids, stink bugs and the coreid bugs) and their associated damage in the various cocoa plots were significantly different (p < 0.05). The study showed that relying on the pest activity in one cocoa plantation to determine pest management activities in a nearby cocoa plot may not always lead to accurate and effective pest control. The need for pest surveillance and monitoring at the farm level as a basis to design effective Integrated Pest Management in cocoa production is discussed.