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Journal of Medical Entomology and Parasitology is one of the series issued quarterly by the Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. It is an important specialist journal covering the latest advances in that subject. It publishes original research and review papers on all aspects of basic and applied medical entomology, parasitology and host-parasite relationships, including the latest discoveries in parasite biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, ecology and epidemiology in the content of the biological, medical entomology and veterinary sciences. In addition to that, the journal promotes research on the impact of living organisms on their environment with emphasis on subjects such a resource, depletion, pollution, biodiversity, ecosystem…..etc. www.eajbs.eg.net Provided for non-commercial research and education use. Not for reproduction, distribution or commercial use.

Background Since sand flies are insects of medical importance and most of its sensilla were found on the antennae, the present investigation was designed to characterize the ultrastructure of the antennae of males and females and the sensilla distribution using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results The filiform antenna of males and females consisted of a scape, pedicel, and flagellum. Male antennae appeared longer than those of females and exhibited obvious sexual dimorphism. In addition to the microtrichiae, six cuticular sensillary types, namely trichoid, coeloconic (subtype the common grooved coeloconic), chaetic, campaniform, squamiform, and the basiconic, were identified. The trichoid sensilla occurred in five subtypes, namely long blunt-tipped trichoid, short sharp-tipped trichoid, short blunt-tipped trichoid, medium pointed-tipped trichoid, and apical trichoid. Little changes in the number and distribution pattern of same sensillar types between males and females were revealed. Trichoid sensilla were the most abundant of all sensillar types. The short sharp-tipped trichoid sensilla were observed on the pedicel of males, while in females they were found on both scape and pedicel. The position of the apical trichoid sensilla on the last flagellomere differs in males than in females. Conclusions The current study is the first to describe differences in the last three flagellomeres between males and females. Our results could provide a foundation for further research on sensory organs and approaches for the control of sand flies and enable for the use of new taxonomic characters to differentiate among species.

The potato tuber worm, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most destructive potato pests in the world. Sexual differentiation is sometimes required to conduct investigations on sex-specific responses, mating, pesticide resistance inheritance, and sterile, Insect-Inherited, Sterility Technique and Control Tactics. The goal of this study was to use a binocular microscope to determine distinct morphological traits of immature stages male and female larvae (L.) and pupal stage (p.). We present a straight forward approach for sexing P. operculella in this paper. Male larvae were distinguished by the presence of dark-colored gonads that were plainly visible through the cuticle. The sex of a male pupa can be determined using a Binocular microscope by the appearance of dark-colored gonads on the dorsal side. Furthermore, the morphology of the genitalia opening at the end of the abdominal segment distinguishes males from females.

The sand fly, Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli, 1786) (Diptera: Psychodidae), is the main vector of Leishmania major Yakimoff and Schokhor, 1914, the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis North Africa, the Middle East, and North Sinai. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fungi on P. papatasi larvae, pupae, and adults using light microscopic analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and histopathological studies. Specifically, larvae, pupae, and adult P. papatasi were infected with the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Scanning electron microscope and histopathological methods were used to investigate the destructive impact of the fungi on the external and internal structures of P. papatasi. The results revealed propagation of the conidia on the cuticles of all P. papatasi life stages, including on the compound eyes, leg setae, thorax, wings, and abdomen of the adults. Histological sections of the control and treated larvae, pupae, and adults showed many alterations and malformations in the body and tissues of all life stages after 72 h. These results demonstrated that B. bassiana was more effective than M. anisopliae as a biological control of phlebotomine sand flies. Further studies to determine the best methods for delivery and application in the diverse ecological settings of the various leishmaniasis vectors are recommended.