1.Simulium (Gomphostilbia) sofiani, a new species of black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) from peninsular Malaysia
Takaoka, H.,* ; Sofian-Azirun, M. ; Hashim, R.
Tropical Biomedicine 2011;28(2):389-399
Simulium (Gomphostilbia) sofiani sp. nov. is described on the basis of reared
adult female, male, pupal and larval specimens collected from Cameron Highlands, Pahang
state, Malaysia. This new species is placed in the ceylonicum species-group within the
subgenus Gomphostilbia and is easily distinguished from all the related known species by the
combination of the following characteristics: an elongate sensory vesicle and yellow hair tuft
on the stem vein of the wing in the female, the greater number of large upper-eye facets (15
or 16 vertical columns and 15 or 16 horizontal rows) and almost entirely darkened hind
basitarsus in the male, and the gill bearing a long common basal stalk and 8 filaments
arranged as [(1+2)+ (1+2)] +2 filaments from dorsal to ventral in the pupa.
2.Evaluation of insect growth regulators, temephos and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis against Aedes aegypti (L) in plastic containers
Lau, K.W. ; Chen, C.D. ; Sofian-Azirun, M.
Tropical Biomedicine 2015;32(4):684-692
The residual activities of 5 insect growth regulators (IGRs) were studied and
compared to operational dosage of temephos (1 mg/L) and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis
(Bti) (0.008 mg/L). The IGRs, temephos and Bti were applied into plastic containers containing
5 litres of water. Thirty Aedes aegypti larvae were added into each container weekly. Efficacy
of these IGRs were evaluated for effective duration of each dosage and the percentage of
emergence inhibition (EI). An end-point of EI/mortality > 50% was considered to be effective.
Pyriproxyfen possessed the longest residual activity in both indoor (43 weeks) and outdoor
(26 weeks) conditions, followed by temephos (26 weeks in indoor and 16 weeks in outdoor).
Although the residual activity of Bti in indoor lasted 8 weeks which was longer than cyromazine
and diflubenzuron; however, it was least effective in outdoor which only lasted 2 weeks. This
study revealed that pyriproxyfen possessed good residual effect among test IGRs compared
to temephos and Bti. The use of IGRs can be an alternative long-term control measure in
stagnant water body.
3.Insecticide resistance development in Aedes aegypti upon selection pressure with malathion
Hidayati, H.* ; Nazni, W.A. ; Lee, H.L. ; Sofian-Azirun, M.
Tropical Biomedicine 2011;28(2):425-437
Bioassay test against malathion had been carried out with larval and adult stages
of Aedes aegypti. The mosquitoes were under selection pressure against malathion for fortyfive
consecutive generations. The rate of resistance development was measured by LC50 and
LT50 values. The larvae and adult females, after subjection to malathion selection for 45
generations, developed high resistance level to malathion, with resistance ratio of 52.7 and
3.24 folds, respectively over control mosquitoes. Cross-resistance towards the same and
different groups of insecticides was determined using the F44 and F45 malathion-selected
adult females. Insecticides tested were DDT (4.0%), permethrin (0.75%), propoxur (0.1%),
fenitrothion (1%), λ-cyhalothrin (0.05%) and cyfluthrin (0.15%). Results indicated that the
mosquitoes were highly resistant to DDT and fenitrothion, moderately resistant to propoxur,
tolerant to permethrin and λ-cyhalothrin, and very low resistant to cyfluthrin.
4.Vertical distribution of Aedes mosquitoes in multiple storey buildings in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Lau, K.W ; Chen, C.D ; Lee, H.L. ; Izzul, A.A ; Asri-Isa, M ; Zulfadli, M. ; Sofian-Azirun, M.
Tropical Biomedicine 2013;30(1):36-45
The aim of the present study was to determine the vertical distribution and
abundance of Aedes mosquitoes in multiple storey buildings in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia. Ovitrap surveillance was conducted for 4 continuous weeks in multiple storey
buildings in 4 residential areas located in Selangor [Kg. Baiduri (KB)] and Kuala Lumpur
[Student Hostel of University of Malaya (UM), Kg. Kerinchi (KK) and Hang Tuah (HT)]. The
results implied that Aedes mosquitoes could be found from ground floor to highest floor of
multiple storey buildings and data from different elevation did not show significant difference.
Ovitrap index for UM, KB, HT and KK ranged from 0 – 29.17%, 0 – 55.56%, 8.33 – 83.33% and
0 – 91.17% respectively. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were found breeding in HT, KK
and KB; while only Ae. albopictus was obtained from UM. The results indicate that the
invasion of Aedes mosquitoes in high-rise apartments could facilitate the transmission of
dengue virus and new approaches to vector control in this type of residential area should be
developed.
5.Laboratory bioefficacy of nine commercial formulations of temephos against larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.), Aedes albopictus Skuse and Culex quinquefasciatus Say.
Chen CD ; Lee HL ; Chan CK ; Ang CL ; Azahari AH ; Lau KW ; Sofian Azirun M
Tropical Biomedicine 2009;26(3):360-365
The bioefficacy of nine commercial formulations of temephos against Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae were evaluated in the laboratory. WHO larval bioassay with operational dosage of temephos at 1 mg/L was performed. The larval mortality was recorded every 5 minutes until complete mortality was achieved. All formulations of temephos exhibited various toxicity level against Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Generally, larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus was susceptible to all formulations of temephos, followed by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus.
6.Surveillance of Aedes mosquitoes in a university campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
O Wan Norafikah ; C D Chen ; H N Soh ; H L Lee ; W A Nazni ; M Sofian Azirun
Tropical biomedicine 2009;26(2):206-15
Ovitrap surveillance was initiated for eight continuous weeks to determine the distribution and abundance of Aedes sp. mosquitoes in the University of Malaya campus, Kuala Lumpur, and the impact of meteorological conditions on the Aedes populations. Two study areas within the campus were selected: Varsity Lake and Seventh Residential College. The abundance of Aedes populations in Varsity Lake was indicated by ovitrap index (OI) which ranged from 60.00% - 90.00%. The mean number of larvae per ovitrap of Aedes albopictus in Varsity Lake ranged from 11.23 +/- 2.42 - 43.80 +/- 6.22. On the other hand, the outdoor OI for Seventh Residential College ranged from 73.33% - 93.33%, respectively, while the mean number larvae per ovitrap for this area ranged from 19.33 +/- 4.55 - 35.27 +/- 5.46, respectively. In addition, the indoor OI of Seventh Residential College ranged from 0.00% - 30.00%, while the mean number of larvae per ovitrap for Ae. albopictus ranged from 0 - 5.90 +/- 3.55. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) of Ae. albopictus population between Varsity Lake and Seventh Residential College. The studies showed a correlation between OI and mean number of larvae per ovitrap for outdoor Ae. albopictus populations in Varsity Lake and Seventh Residential College (r = 0.794). There was also a correlation between the mean larvae number per ovitrap of Ae. albopictus obtained from eight weeks indoor ovitrap surveillance in Seventh Residential College with rainfall (r = 0.584). However, there was no correlation between the mean larvae number per ovitrap of Ae. albopictus in both study areas with temperature and relative humidity. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were found neither indoor nor outdoor in both study areas. This study indicated that the principal dengue vector in the university campus was most likely Ae. albopictus.
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7.Predation on pupa of Chrysomya rufifacies (Marquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) by parasitoid, Exoristobia philippinensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Ophyra spinigera larva (Diptera: Muscidae).
Heo CC ; Nazni WA ; Lee HL ; Jeffery J ; Baharudin O ; Chen CD ; Lau KW ; Sofian Azirun M
Tropical Biomedicine 2009;26(3):369-372
A forensic entomological study was conducted using monkey carcasses (Macaca fascicularis Raffles) that were placed in either an outdoor or indoor environment at a coastal area in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia during May until August 2008. We collected pupae of Chrysomya rufifacies (Marquart) from the carcasses and kept them individually. The emergence of 13 parasitic microhymenopteran, from one of the pupae occurring within a week were identified as Exoristobia philippinensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Another observation was made whereby a pupa of C. rufifacies was predated by a muscid larva, Ophyra spinigera (Stein). The larva squeezed into the pupa and consumed the contents. This paper report C. rufifacies as a new host record for E. philippinensis in Malaysia and highlighted the predatory behavior of O. spinigera larva in natural environment.
8.Distribution and abundance of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in recreation parks in Selangor State, Peninsular Malaysia
Chen, C.D. ; Takaoka, H. ; Tan, P.R. ; Lau, K.W. ; Low, V.L. ; Leong, C.S. ; Karen-Chia, H.M. ; Sofian-Azirun, M
Tropical Biomedicine 2016;33(3):583-588
A preliminary survey of larvae and pupae of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) was
conducted in three recreation parks [Templer Recreation Park (TRP), Congkak River Forest
Reserve (CRFR) and Ampang Forest Reserve (AFR)] located in Selangor State, which is
located 18 to 35 km from Kuala Lumpur city center, Malaysia. This study was initiated to
determine the distribution and abundance of filarial vectors, Simulium spp. A total of 12
species of black flies belonging to three subgenera (Gomphostilbia, Simulium and
Nevermannia) were collected. Simulium (Simulium) nobile was incriminated as the most
dominant species in all recreation parks. This study is a first report on the distribution and
abundance of black flies obtained from recreation parks in Malaysia.
9.First molecular genotyping of A302S mutation in the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor in Aedes albopictus from Malaysia
Tropical Biomedicine 2015;32(3):554-556
Given the lack of molecular evidence in altered target-site insecticide resistance
mechanism in Aedes albopictus (Skuse) worldwide, the present study aims to detect the
presence of A302S mutation in the gene encoding the gamma aminobutyric acid receptor
resistant to dieldrin (Rdl) in Ae. albopictus for the first time from its native range of South East
Asia, namely Malaysia. World Health Organization (WHO) adult susceptibility bioassay indicated
a relatively low level of dieldrin resistance (two-fold) in Ae. albopictus from Petaling Jaya,
Selangor. However, PCR-RFLP and direct sequencing methods revealed the presence of the
A302S mutation with the predomination of heterozygous genotype (40 out of 82 individuals),
followed by the resistant genotype with 11 individuals. This study represents the first fieldevolved
instance of A302S mutation in Malaysian insect species.
10.Biting behaviour of medically important mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Peninsular Malaysia
Chen, C.D. ; Wan-Norafikah, O. ; Nurin-Zulkifli, I.M. ; Faezah, K. ; Izzul, A.A. ; Abdullah, A.G. ; Lau, K.W. ; Norma-Rashid, Y. ; Sofian-Azirun, M.
Tropical Biomedicine 2017;34(1):199-211
Human-landing catch (HLC) technique was undertaken in nine selected study sites
within Peninsular Malaysia to determine the biting cycle of Aedes, Armigeres, Culex, and
Mansonia mosquitoes. HLC was conducted 24 hours on three different nights in a duration of
one week at each study site. Aedes albopictus were found in all study sites with bimodal
biting cycle, whereas the biting peak of Aedes butleri was recorded between 1600 and 1900
hr. For Armigeres, five study sites demonstrated similar biting peak hour (1900 – 2000 hr) for
Ar. kesseli four study sites showed biting peak at 1800 – 1900 hr for Ar. subalbatus. Culex
quinquefasciatus was collected from all study sites except in Sungai Penchala with its biting
activity beginning from 1900 hr. Both Mansonia annulifera and Mansonia uniformis captured
in two different study sites showed similar biting peaks (1500 – 1600 hr). It is recommended
that vector control activities be carried out at dusk as almost all mosquito species captured
started their biting activities at that time.