title: Insects as vectors: systematics and biology.
abstract: Among the many complex relationships between insects and microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, some have resulted in the establishment of biological systems within which the insects act as a biological vector for infectious agents. It is therefore advisable to understand the identity and biology of these vectors in depth, in order to define procedures for epidemiological surveillance and anti-vector control. The following are successively reviewed in this article: Anoplura (lice), Siphonaptera (fleas), Heteroptera (bugs: Cimicidae, Triatoma, Belostomatidae), Psychodidae (sandflies), Simuliidae (black flies), Ceratopogonidae (biting midges), Culicidae (mosquitoes), Tabanidae (horseflies) and Muscidae (tsetse flies, stable flies and pupipara). The authors provide a rapid overview of the morphology, systematics, development cycle and bio-ecology of each of these groups of vectors. Finally, their medical and veterinary importance is briefly reviewed.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodhain
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000635:transmission; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D007313:Insecta / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*