A systematic mosquito collection was carried out for 3 years from November 2001 to September 2004 in western Lombok Island, Indonesia to clarify Anopheles fauna, and to confirm vector species in malaria endemic areas. Adult mosquitoes were collected at 14 sites in the study area by using double-walled mesh nets with human or cow bait. A total of 11 species were encountered. Anopheles vagus was the most predominant. The second most abundant species differed among the sub-study areas; An. sundaicus was abundant in the coastal plain area, and An. balabacensis in the mountainous area. Anopheles balabacensis showed high anthropophily and exophagy and An. sundaicus moderate anthropophily and exophagy. Malaria parasite detection from the collected mosquitoes was also carried out through the detection of circumsporozoite protein by the VecTest^<TM>. Fourteen and 4 samples, which were positive for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax antigen respectively, were found from An. subpictus, An. sundaicus and An. balabacensis. We conclude that malaria in the coastal plain area is transmitted by An. sundaicus and An. subpictus, whereas An. balabacensis is the primary vector in the mountainous area of Lombok Island.

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Putative serine protease genes including trypsin and chymotrypsin were identified in the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans during an EST project. Trypsin and chymotrypsin are major digestive enzymes involved in the parasite-host interactions of vector insects. In this study, two genes designated Gmmtry1 and Gmmchy1 were further characterized during blood digestion and in responses against parasite infection. Both Gmmtry1 and Gmmchy1 mRNA was expressed at high levels in the posterior region of the midgut. Gmmchy1 transcript increased following an infectious blood meal suggesting chymotrypsin is regulated by the presence of the trypanosome during the early establishment of the parasite infection in the midgut. The possible roles of trypsin and chymotrypsin proteases in determining the refractoriness of the tsetse fly against trypanosomes is also discussed.

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During 1991-2007 a total of 3,562 ixodid ticks were collected by flagging at altitudes from 20 to 1,470m in Toyama Prefecture. Two genera and nine species were identified as follows: Haemaphysalis flava, H. japonica, H. kitaokai, H. longicornis, H. megaspinosa, Ixodes monospinosus, I. nipponensis, I. ovatus, and I. persulcatus. Ixodes ovatus was the most dominant species at elevations of 400m and above, but was also distributed at the low altitudes. Haemaphysalis flava was predominant below 401m above sea level. Haemaphysalis kitaokai, H. megaspinosa, and I. monospinosus were newly recorded in Toyama Prefecture. Rickettsial DNA detected from I. monospinosus was closely related to Rickettsia helvetica, indicating a potential threat of spotted fever group rickettsial infection in Toyama Prefecture.

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Simulium (Simulium) serenum sp. nov. is described from reared female adult and pupal specimens collected from Hualien, Taiwan, and is placed in the griseifrons species-group within the subgenus Simulium. This new species is characterized by the cocoon with a deep cleft on the anterodorsal surface and a large window on each anterolateral surface, which separates it from all known species of this species group. This is the third species of the griseifrons species-group so far recorded from Taiwan.

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Three new black fly species, Simulium (Wallacellum) marilogense sp. nov., S. (W.) tenederoi sp. nov. and S. (W.) amplum sp. nov., are described based on reared adult, pupal and/or larval specimens collected from the Philippines. The male of S. (W.) ogonukii Takaoka is described for the first time.

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Three new species of the Simulium (Gomphostilbia) banauense species-group (i.e., S. (G.) atuganense sp. nov., S. (G.) quezonense sp. nov. and S. (G.) katangladense sp. nov.) are described from adult and pupal specimens collected from the Philippines. These new species are very closely related to S. (G.) liliwense Takaoka originally described from Luzon Island. Keys to separate each of these new species and three known related species of the banauense species-group are provided for the adult female, male and pupal stage.

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Cricotopus bifascia Tokunaga, 1936 is transferred to the genus Paratrichocladius Santos Abreu, 1918 and redescription is added based on the male morphology, particularly well developed but clearly separated antepronotum in the center, upright dorsocentrals originating from conspicuous pits and conspicuous humeral pits. Paratrichocladius yakukeleus Sasa et Suzuki, 2000 is a junior synonym of P. bifascius (Tokunaga, 1936). The most important morphological character of this species is to have black and yellow marks in the body like many Cricotopus species.

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