Yellowfever mosquito (Diptera:Culicidae) introduced into Landi Kotal, Pakistan, by tire importation.
Although the recent distribution of yellowfever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.), in Pakistan has been restricted to the port city of Karachi, adult and immature mosquitoes breeding in imported tires in warehouses at Landi Kotal (North-West Frontier Province) were identified as Ae. aegypti. The patterns of tire trade and the current disjunct distribution of Ae. aegypti indicated that the introduction into Landi Kotal may have been either from Karachi or India. Thermal fog application of pirimiphos-methyl and residual spray of malathion during 1993 reduced abundance in October-November. Living larvae or adults were not found during January 1994, apparently because of cold weather. However, Ae. aegypti reappeared during May-June 1994, most probably from eggs that overwintered. Population increased during late August when another round of spray using the same insecticides and fenthion as an additional larvicide again reduced abundance. Although this mosquito apparently has not spread into neighboring areas, its survival at Landi Kotal through all seasons despite control measures indicates its potential of becoming established in other areas of Pakistan.
Suleman
M
M
Zoology Department, University of Peshawar, Pakistan.
Arshad
M
M
Khan
K
K
D000330:Aedes; D000818:Animals; D003132:Commerce; D003465:Culex; D003634:DDT; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008294:Malathion; D008297:Male; D009032:Mosquito Control; D010154:Pakistan
D003634:DDT; D008294:Malathion