Journal of Medical Entomology (2021) 58, 2376-2384

Chanya Udom, Kanutcharee Thanispong, Sylvie Manguin, Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap and Wirasak Fungfuang (2021)
Trophic behavior and species diversity of the Anopheles barbirostris complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand
Journal of Medical Entomology 58 (6), 2376-2384
Abstract: Species of the Anopheles barbirostris complex (Myzorhynchus Series of the subgenus Anopheles) are potential vectors of malaria and filariasis parasites. Owing to the lack of reliable identification methods, the biting activity and host preference of the species within this complex have not been previous described. In this study, the trophic behavior and host preferences of the species in the complex were determined in Thailand, and a map of their geographical distributions constructed. Adult female mosquitoes in Chanthaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces were collected using human landings (indoor and outdoor) and cow-bait. Morphological characters were used to initially identify the mosquitoes, and then, species were further separated by multiplex PCR. Four species were identified in the An. barbirostris complex: An. wejchoochotei Taai and Harbach (Diptera: Culicidae), An. saeungae Taai and Harbach (Diptera: Culicidae), An. dissidens Taai and Harbach (Diptera: Culicidae), and An. campestris Reid (Diptera: Culicidae). The species showed exophagic and zoophilic behavior, except An. wejchoochotei in Chanthaburi, which displayed slight endophilic behavior. Indoor and outdoor blood feeding behavior of An. wejchoochotei and An. saeungae peaked at 2000 h. An updated distribution map of the An. barbirostris complex in Thailand is presented. With a better understanding of the sibling vector species and their spatial distributions, more specific and effective control strategies for vectors of malaria and filariasis in Thailand can be achieved.
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Database assignments for author(s): Sylvie Manguin, Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Anopheles campestris		Thailand
	Anopheles wejchoochotei		Thailand
	Anopheles dissidens		Thailand
	Anopheles saeungae		Thailand