We conducted a baseline characterization of the abundance and seasonality of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762)—a vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika—in two suburban localities of Yucatan, Mexico, as the first step in the implementation of an integrated vector management (IVM) plan combining ‘traditional Aedes control’ (source reduction/truck-mounted ultra-low volume [ULV] spraying) and incompatible insect technique/sterile insect technique for population suppression in Yucatan, Mexico. Weekly entomological collections with ovitraps and BG-sentinel traps were performed in 1-ha quadrants of both localities for 1 yr. Three distinct periods/phases were identified, closely associated with precipitation: 1) a phase of low population abundance during the dry season (weekly average of Aedes eggs per ovitrap and adults per BG trap = 15.51 ± 0.71 and 10.07 ± 0.88, respectively); 2) a phase of population growth and greatest abundance of Aedes (49.03 ± 1.48 eggs and 25.69 ± 1.31 adults) during the rainy season; and finally 3) a phase of decline among populations (20.91 ± 0.97 eggs and 3.24 ± 0.21 adults) after the peak of the rainy season. Seasonal abundance and dynamics of Ae. aegypti populations suggest that it is feasible to develop and implement time-specific actions as part of an IVM approach incorporating integrating novel technologies (such as rear-and-release of Wolbachia-infected males) with classic (insecticide-based) approaches implemented routinely for vector control. In agreement with the local vector control program, we propose a pilot IVM strategy structured in a preparation phase, an attack phase with traditional vector control, and a suppression phase with inundative releases, which are described in this paper.

Background The combination of Wolbachia-based incompatible insect technique (IIT) and radiation-based sterile insect technique (SIT) can be used for population suppression of Aedes aegypti. Our main objective was to evaluate whether open-field mass-releases of wAlbB-infected Ae. aegypti males, as part of an Integrated Vector Management (IVM) plan led by the Mexican Ministry of Health, could suppress natural populations of Ae. aegypti in urbanized settings in south Mexico. Methodology/Principal findings We implemented a controlled before-and-after quasi-experimental study in two suburban localities of Yucatan (Mexico): San Pedro Chimay (SPC), which received IIT-SIT, and San Antonio Tahdzibichén used as control. Release of wAlbB Ae. aegypti males at SPC extended for 6 months (July-December 2019), covering the period of higher Ae. aegypti abundance. Entomological indicators included egg hatching rates and outdoor/indoor adult females collected at the release and control sites. Approximately 1,270,000 lab-produced wAlbB-infected Ae. aegypti males were released in the 50-ha treatment area (2,000 wAlbB Ae. aegypti males per hectare twice a week in two different release days, totaling 200,000 male mosquitoes per week). The efficacy of IIT-SIT in suppressing indoor female Ae. aegypti density (quantified from a generalized linear mixed model showing a statistically significant reduction in treatment versus control areas) was 90.9% a month after initiation of the suppression phase, 47.7% two months after (when number of released males was reduced in 50% to match local abundance), 61.4% four months after (when initial number of released males was re-established), 88.4% five months after and 89.4% at six months after the initiation of the suppression phase. A proportional, but lower, reduction in outdoor female Ae. aegypti was also quantified (range, 50.0–75.2% suppression). Conclusions/Significance Our study, the first open-field pilot implementation of Wolbachia IIT-SIT in Mexico and Latin-America, confirms that inundative male releases can significantly reduce natural populations of Ae. aegypti. More importantly, we present successful pilot results of the integration of Wolbachia IIT-SIT within a IVM plan implemented by Ministry of Health personnel.

A survey was carried out in 51 households within a suburban area of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, for 5 consecutive days. Adult collections were performed using Prokopack aspirators (indoors) and human-landing mosquito catches (HLC) outdoors, and larval sites (artificial containers) were revised for larvae collection. A total of 259 Aedes albopictus were collected, 246 from artificial larval sites, 8 by indoor aspiration, and 5 by HLC. This is the first record of Ae. albopictus in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

The public health importance of the endophilic mosquito Aedes aegypti increased dramatically in the recent decade, because it is the vector of dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellowfever.Theuseoflong-lastinginsecticidalnets(LLINs)fixedondoorsandwindows, as insecticide-treated screening (ITS), is one innovative approach recently evaluated for AedescontrolinSouthMexico.From2009to2014,cluster-randomisedcontrolled trials were conducted in Acapulco and Merida. Intervention clusters received Aedes-proof houses ('Casas a prueba de Aedes')withITSandwerefollowedupduring2years.Overall, resultsshowedsignificantandsustainedreductionsonindooradultvectordensitiesin thetreatedclusterswithITSafter2years:ca.50%onthepresence(OR≤0.62,P<0.05) andabundance(IRR≤0.58,P<0.05).ITSondoorsandwindowsare'user-friendly'tool, withhighlevelsofacceptance,requiringlittleadditionalworkorbehaviouralchangeby householders.Factorsthatfavouredtheseinterventionswere(a)houseconstruction,(b) highcoverageachievedduetotheexcellentacceptancebythecommunityand(c)collaboration of the vector control services; and only some operational complaints relating to screen fragility and the installation process. ITS is a housing improvement that should be part of the current paradigms for urban vector-borne disease control.infections and reducing the global burden of malaria [8] but also can be effective for lymphaticfilariasis,Japaneseencephalitisandotherarboviruses [9].TheuseofLLINsisconsideredahighlyeffective,safe,affordable,low-tech,long-lastingand simpleinterventionwitheffectsbothattheindividual(i.e.bednetspreventingthevectorfrom blood feeding) and community levels (i.e. by reducing the vector lifespan and population). Dengue -Immunopathology and Control Strategies 94Dengue -Immunopathology and Control Strategies 104

Culex quinquefasciatus Say is a vector of many pathogens of humans, and both domestic and wild animals. Personal protection, reduction of larval habitats, and chemical control are the best ways to reduce mosquito bites and, therefore, the transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens. Currently, to reduce the risk of transmission, the pyrethroids, and other insecticide groups have been extensively used to control both larvae and adult mosquitoes. In this context, amino acids and acylcarnitines have never been associated with insecticide exposure and or insecticide resistance. It has been suggested that changes in acylcarnitines and amino acids profiles could be a powerful diagnostic tool for metabolic alterations. Monitoring these changes could help to better understand the mechanisms involved in insecticide resistance, complementing the strategies for managing this phenomenon in the integrated resistance management. The purpose of the study was to determine the amino acids and acylcarnitines profiles in larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus after the exposure to different insecticides. Bioassays were performed on Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae exposed to the diagnostic doses (DD) of the insecticides chlorpyrifos (0.001 μg/mL), temephos (0.002 μg/mL) and permethrin (0.01 μg/mL). In each sample, we analyzed the profile of 12 amino acids and 31 acylcarnitines by LC-MS/MS. A t-test was used to determine statistically significant differences between groups and corrections of q-values. Results indicates three changes, the amino acids arginine (ARG), free carnitine (C0) and acetyl-carnitine (C2) that could be involved in energy production and insecticide detoxification. We confirmed that concentrations of amino acids and acylcarnitines in Cx. quinquefasciatus vary with respect to different insecticides. The information generated contributes to understand the possible mechanisms and metabolic changes occurring during insecticide exposure.

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This study reports the results of a molecular screening for Wolbachia (Wb) infection in Aedes albopictus (Skuse) populations recently established in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. To do so, collections of free-flying adults with BG traps and emerged adults from eggs after ovitrap field collections were performed in three suburban localities of the city of Merida, Yucatan. Overall, local populations of Ae. albopictus present a natural Wb infection rate of ~40% (18 of 45). Wb infection was detected in both field-collected adults (76.5%, 13 of 17) and eggs reared (17.8%, 5 of 28) and in 37.9% (11/29) of females and 43.7% (7/16) of male Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. An initial screening for Wolbachia strain typing showed that native Ae. albopictus were naturally coinfected with both wAlbA and wAlbB strains. The knowledge of the prevalence and diversity of Wolbachia strains in local populations of Aedes mosquitoes is part of the baseline information required for current and future Wolbachia-based vector control approaches to be conducted in Mexico.

A revision was made of Repipta Stål, mostly a Neotropical genus with some species in the Neotropics and the Nearctic. Thirteen known species are redescribed: R. annulipes Barber, R. antica Stål, R. coccinea (Herrich-Schaeffer), R. flavicans (Amyot & Serville), R. fuscospinosa Stål, R. fuscipes Stål, R. lepidula Stål, R. mucosa Champion, R. nigronotata Stål, R. obscuripes Stål, R. sexdens (Fabricius), R. spinosa (Fabricius), and R. taurus (Fabricius). Twelve new species are described and illustrated, including data on male and female genitalia, new distributional records, and key to the species.