Larvae of Aedes albopictus Skuse typically inhabit natural and artificial containers. Since these larval habitats are replenished by rainfall, Ae. albopictus may experience increased loss of immature stages in areas with high levels of rainfall. In this study, we investigated the effects of rainfall and container water level on population density, and oviposition activity of Ae. albopictus. In field and laboratory experiments, we found that rainfall resulted in the flushing of breeding habitats. Excess rain negatively impacted larval and pupal retention, especially in small habitats. When filled with water to overflowing, container habitats were significantly repellent to ovipositing females. Taken together, these data suggest that rainfall triggers population loss of Ae. albopictus and related species through a direct detrimental effect (flushing out) and an indirect effect (ovipositional repellency).

Despite the potential impact of moisture on embryonation and egg eclosion of Aedes mosquitoes, little is known about its effect on protein synthesis during critical embryonic development as well as in the proteomic profiles. Thus, we quantify the protein concentration and proteomic profile during embryonic development of Ae. albopictus from far early of egg laying to egg eclosion in contact with sufficient moisture. It was observed that the concentration of protein started to decrease from the early hours (6th h) with progressing of embryonic development. There were more or less 13 bands observed in Coomassie blue staining of different embryonic stages within the range of 58 kDa and ~7 kDa by using 12% separating gel in 1D SDS-PAGE. Among them highly expressed bands on the position of 11-13 of lower molecular weight at around 7 kDa were found in all treatments. They may have controlling effects on egg hatching. Identification of these specific proteins can give an insight direction of effective vector control way.

Peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is native to South and SouthEast Asia. It is a polyphagous species and has a high reproductive potential (approx. 600 eggs in a lifetime), high biotic potential, i.e., several generations of progeny per year. The species has the rapid dispersal ability and can be active throughout the year. Its establishment may have a serious impact on the environment following the initiation of chemical and/or biological control programmes. B. zonata is of quarantine significance to EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization) countries and it is classified on the A1 list of pests recommended for regulation as quarantine pests by Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI). The present study initiates an attempt to identify the larval (3rd instar) salivary gland polytene chromosome arms of B. zonata using Olympus phase contrast microscope CX 41. A photographic representation of the polytene chromosomes of this species associates with identifying tips as well as well defined characteristics of each polytene chromosome arms are described. Five long chromosomes with their identifying tips are recognized in each polytene nucleus. Polytene chromosomes are of special interest to construct a Genetic Sexing Strain (GSS) of a pest species and it can play an important role for the successful application of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) in field application as part of the biological control programme under Integrated Pest Management (IPM) scheme.