Over the last few months, the ArkLaTex has Seen above average rainfall. As a result, you can notice an increase of standing water. The mosquito population has slowly increased. Source: ARKLATEXHOMEPAGE
Scientists Release Controversial Genetically Modified Mosquitoes In High-Security Lab (via NPR.org)
The insects were created, using CRISPR, to carry a powerful “gene drive.” The mosquitoes could provide a potent weapon against malaria, but they raise fears about unpredictable environmental effects. Source: NPR.org
Polar Vortex May Have Killed Off Most Of The Stink Bugs (via 1240 WJIM)
I decided I am only going to write about the good things this craptastic winter weather brings, and here’s one: the frigid temps may have killed off most of those annoying stink bugs. Source: 1240 WJIM
Breakdown: How mosquitoes survive a cold winter
Why Cold Winter Doesn’t Mean Less Mosquitoes Source: r20.rs6.net
Mosquitoes Can Hear Over Surprisingly Long Distances (via Forbes)
An experiment in one of the world’s quietest rooms reveals that mosquitoes can hear as far away as 10 meters, and can even pick up frequencies associated with human speech Source: Forbes
A New Way to Keep Mosquitoes From Biting (via The Atlantic)
An appetite-suppressing drug makes them act as if theyâve already feasted on blood. Source: The Atlantic
Putting female mosquitoes on human diet drugs could reduce spread of disease (via ScienceDaily)
Researchers report that they have identified drugs that can reduce mosquito hunger for blood. Because movement of female mosquitoes from human to human — male mosquitoes do not consume blood — is the means by which mosquito-borne infections are passed along, researchers have theorized that reducing the frequency with which female mosquitoes feed is one way to lessen the spread … Read More
Mosquitos briefly awaken from their hibernation (via Appeal-Democrat)
Officials from the Colusa Mosquito Abatement District have received some questions from residents as to why mosquitoes are out and about and biting so early in the year. Source: Appeal-Democrat
Tracking ticks: Experts say deer ticks are surviving Maine winters (via WCSH)
Researchers also say that Lone Star ticks, which are common in the south, are surviving winters in Southern Maine. A bite can cause people to develop a red meat allergy, and in some cases a reaction to dairy products. Source: WCSH
Common insect repellents mask human odors from malaria mosquitoes (via r20.rs6.net)
Researchers found that two commonly used insect repellents, including DEET, mask human smell, making people invisible to Anopheles mosquitoes, which transmit malaria. “Mosquitoes use their sense of smell to find us, and my lab is interested in studying the mosquito’s sense of smell in order to figure out ways to stop them from finding us, and ultimately from biting us … Read More
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