Diversity and breeding sites of mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) potentially vectors of arboviruses in Belgian equestrian farms

Poster (2012, October 08)

This study aims to determine the potential importance of the livestock farms, especially equestrian, to welcome and favor the proliferation of certain species of mosquito responsible for transmission of ... [more ▼]

This study aims to determine the potential importance of the livestock farms, especially equestrian, to welcome and favor the proliferation of certain species of mosquito responsible for transmission of arboviruses. The study of biodiversity of Culicidae in the horse farms in Belgium is carried out on species sampled at 64 biotopes in six stations study. Five surveys were realized during 2011 (June, July, August and October) and one in 2012 (June). The morphotaxonomic and molecular study of mosquitoes collected showed the presence of ten species: Culisata annulata Schrank, 1776; Anopheles claviger s.s. Meigen, 1804; An. maculipennis s.s. Meigen, 1818; An. messae Falleroni, 1926; Culex pipiens molestus Forskal, 1775; Cx. pipiens pipiens Linné, 1758; Cx. torrentium Martini, 1925; Cx. hortensis hortensis Ficalbi, 1889; Cx. territans Walker, 1856 and Coquillettidia richardii Ficalbi, 1889. Among the 24893 individuals examined in 2011, Cx. pipiens sl and Cx. torrentium represent 68.00% and 22.38% respectively of total harvest. These last species with Cs. annulata, are dominants and ubiquitous in all the horse farms visited. The species of the genus Anopheles have strong ecological requirements and are therefore associated with some special habitats; other species however have a strong ability to adapt and therefore attend a wide variety of biotopes (Cx. pipiens, Cx. torrentium and Cs. annulata). At the horse farms, water troughs and ponds are the most favorable habitats for larval development of Culicidae. The species potentially vectors of arboviruses that can cause problems in epidemiological equestrian farms are Cx. pipiens sl, Cx. torrentium and Cs. annulata. [less ▲]

Laboratory and field preliminary tests of Metarhizium anisopliae formulated with neem oil (Suneem) against Anopheles gambiae sl adult emergence

Poster (2012, October 08)

Metarhizium anisopliae have shown great potential for the control of malaria vectors. However, their ability to control aquatic stages of anopheline vectors with conidial formulation is need. In ... [more ▼]

Metarhizium anisopliae have shown great potential for the control of malaria vectors. However, their ability to control aquatic stages of anopheline vectors with conidial formulation is need. In laboratory condition (25°C and 76%RH), we formulated M. anisopliae with emulsifian neem oil (Suneem 1%) before application on An. gambiae larvae at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 % (v/v) to determine the LD90. We applied in semi-field environment, the LD90 of the formulation into artificial vats on the Anopheles gambiae sl larvae collected from many breeding sites at dry and rain seasons. In laboratory condition, the LD 50 was 4.4 x 10^6 spores/ml and the LD90 was not obtained 24 after exposure. The probite line equation was Y=1.61 x – 0.55 and R²= 0.9793. The LD 50 was 3.1 x 10^6 and the LD90 was 5.3 X 10^6 spores/ml 48 h after exposure. The probite line equation was then Y= 1.69 x + 1.79 and R²= 0.9757. Microscope magnifying revealed also the fungal attack via cuticle and mycelia germination one dead larvae and pupae. In semi-field environment, treatment revealed that, at 5.3 x 10^6 spores/ml, the formulation has a great emergence inhibition of mosquito adult formation. No significant difference was observed between dry and rain season application of M. anisopliae on the larvae. Therefore, a combination of M. anisopliae with Suneem may provide a more sustainable management strategy for malaria vectors control at the larval stages. [less ▲]

Livestock farms in Belgium shelter they the mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) potentially vectors of arboviruses?

Poster (2012, August 23)

Although no major arbovirus which mosquitoes are responsible for its transmission has been recorded in Belgium in recent decades, environment and climate change, current and future, could favor the ... [more ▼]

Although no major arbovirus which mosquitoes are responsible for its transmission has been recorded in Belgium in recent decades, environment and climate change, current and future, could favor the emergence of vector-borne diseases in the country, by inducing changes on Culicidae populations. This study aims to determine the potential importance of agricultural environments, and especially livestock farms, to welcome and favor the proliferation of certain species of mosquito responsible for transmission of arboviruses. A taxonomic inventory was conducted in 2008 (III, VI and X) and 2009 (V and IX) in ten cattle farms, and in 2010 (X) in ten stables located in Belgium. The harvest of mosquitoes is based on larval sampling at the level of 14 biotopes such as water troughs, used tires, abandoned utensils and temporary puddles or not. The morphotaxonomic study of larvae and genitalia has allowed to identify eight species in 18 study stations. These are Anopheles claviger Meigen, 1804 ; A. maculipennis s.l. Meigen, 1818 ; Culiseta annulata Schrank, 1776 ; Cs. morsitans Theobald, 1901 ; Culex modestus Ficalbi, 1889 ; Cx. torrentium Martini, 1925 ; Cx. territans Walker, 1856 and Cx. pipiens s.l. L., 1758. Of the 1843 individuals examined in 2009, Cx. pipiens s.l. represents 79.98% of the total harvest; however, Cx. modestus represents only 0.92%. Used tires form the most favorable habitat for larval development of Culicidae. Therefore, despite the low diversity of mosquito observed within the livestock environments, they represent a significant risk for the reproduction of some potential vectors of arboviruses. In addition, some larval habitats constitute very favorable sites for proliferation of mosquito, causing a real problem of nuisance for animals of farms. [less ▲]

Place des insectes dans le régime alimentaire du Grand Corbeau Corvus corax (Aves, Corvidae) dans la région de Guelt es Stel (Djelfa, Algérie)

in Entomologie Faunistique = Faunistic Entomology (2012), 64(2),

La comparaison entre les disponibilités alimentaires du milieu et le régime alimentaire de Corvus corax (Linné, 1758) dans la région de Guelt-es-Stel montre qu’en fonction de la présence de l’espèce dans ... [more ▼]

La comparaison entre les disponibilités alimentaires du milieu et le régime alimentaire de Corvus corax (Linné, 1758) dans la région de Guelt-es-Stel montre qu’en fonction de la présence de l’espèce dans le régime alimentaire et sur le terrain, les valeurs de l’indice d’Ivlev (Ii) varient entre –1 et +1. Les espèces qui ont une valeur de Ii = +1 sont recherchées par le prédateur. Ils sont au nombre de 116 sur 167 espèces. Les espèces-proies les plus sélectionnées par le Grand Corbeau appartiennent surtout à la classe des Insecta (AR % = 80,8 %). Ces espèces semblent influencer le comportement du prédateur grâce à certains de leurs caractères particuliers. Les couleurs contrastées noir et blanc des élytres du coléoptère Anthia (Thermophilium) sexmaculata (Fabricius 1787) ou vert noir et blanc de Cicindela (Lophyra) flexuosa (Fabricius 1787), la teinte blanche de l’escargot Sphincterochila candidissima (Draparaud 1758), la brillance de la cuticule de Chrysomela bicolor (Linné 1758), de Messor structor (Latreille 1798) et de Messor barbara (Linné 1767), ainsi que la grande taille comme celles du criquet Euryparyphes quadridentatus (Brisout 1852) attirent l’attention du Grand Corbeau (Corvus corax). Par contre, les espèces qui ont une valeur de Ii = -1 sont présentes sur le terrain mais ne font pas partie du menu trophique de Grand Corbeau. C’est le cas de 27 espèces notamment Tetramorium sp. Mayr 1855 (Ouvrières) et Tapinoma nigerrimum (Nyl., 1886) (Ouvrières) qui se caractérisent par la petitesse de leurs tailles (2 à 5 mm). Bien plus, les espèces qui font partie du régime alimentaire du Grand Corbeau et qui sont absentes sur le terrain, en apparence du moins, ou peu représentées dans la nature, correspondent à des valeurs positives comme Messor arenarius (Fabricius 1787) (Ii = +0,66) ou Tetramorium biskrensis kahenae (Menozzi 1934) (Ii = +0,49). [less ▲]

Insect vectors of Lieschmania in Ghardaia (Algeria): Updated inventory of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)

Poster (2011, April 18)

Bio-systématique des moustiques (Diptera : Culicidae) dans et aux alentours des fermes d’élevage en Belgique

Conference (2010, November 06)

Bio-systématique des moustiques (Diptera : Culicidae) dans et aux alentours des fermes d’élevage en Belgique

Master's dissertation (2010)

« Biodiversité des Nématocères d’intérêt Agricole et médico-vétérinaire dans la région du M’Zab, Ghardaïa

Master's dissertation (2009)