• Entomological Research
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.540-549
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• 2018

Climate change due to global warming and changes in land use increase the development time and distribution, as well as the abundance, of mosquitoes, thereby negatively affecting human life and health. In this study, we investigated the habitat characteristics of mosquito occurrence sites in Danwon-gu, Ansan city, Korea, based on a daily record of civil pest complaints lodged at the Danwon-gu Community Health Center. We considered two types of factors (natural and artificial) known to affect mosquito occurrence. We confirmed a total of 554 cases of mosquito occurrence from March 2014 to August 2017. The total study area was $49.11km^2$, with urban areas constituting the largest proportion. Additionally, we investigated habitat preferences of mosquitoes in terms of terrain factors; generally, mosquitoes occurred at low elevations and on low slopes. Regarding the preference of oviposition sites, mosquitoes occurred at higher rates near streams and crops lands. The rate of mosquito occurrence tended to increase in areas with dense human populations. Regarding climatic factors, the rate of mosquito occurrence increased in areas with high temperature and low precipitation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.189-196
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• 2020

Mosquitos serve as vectors for diseases, causing inconvenience as well as a threat to human life and health. Concern about mosquitos introducing and spreading new diseases has been intensifying. We observed a variety of mosquito habitats based on land cover classification from Korea's Ministry of Environment, and the mosquito species that could appear were classified according to the each habitat type. Finally, we suggested the best control methods for each type of habitat considering habitat characteristics and the ecological traits of mosquitos. Urban areas harbor various habitats for pests, contributing significantly to mosquito habitats. Control must be performed regarding larva and adults because various sources for habitats exist. Public mosquito control programs such as educational training, as well as information brochures can be effective in managing mosquito populations and public health. Agricultural areas show high densities of mosquito larva to lentic zones such as reservoirs, wetlands, paddy fields. So, biological control using natural predators may be effective in controlling mosquito populations. Forests are major habitats for Aedes albopctus, so physical controls should be deployed for residents living nearby, and excessive deforestation should be minimized. Other areas including aquatic ecosystems should be adopted regarding biological control using Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis) and chemical control for eradicating mosquitos. We classified habitats into four types of land cover patterns considering ecological traits and habitat preference, and suggest adequate control methods for each habitat type. Our suggestion can be used to positively contribute toward effective managing mosquito's density and reducing the damage to public health.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.554-557
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• 2018

A catch basin sump is one major habitat for mosquito larvae, especially in urban areas. This study developed a device for mosquito control, specifically for the catch basin sump. It consists of a housing, is a little smaller than the catch basin sump, numerous floating materials, which the key component for mosquito control, and mesh nets. The small balls or pyramid-shaped floating materials inhibit mosquito enclosures and spawning by significantly decreasing the surface area of the water, which is essential for the mosquito life cycle. These floating materials were designed to keep the water flowing. The mesh nets were installed to prevent the outflow of floating materials. The efficiency of the floating materials was tested with 3 conditions (1, 2, 3 layers of floating materials) and a control group. The emergence of mosquito adults decreased by 20% in one-layer, and 70-80% in second and third layers. Therefore, this device is expected to certainly contribute to mosquito population control in the catch basin sump.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.12-24
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• 2013

Eradication of endemic malaria was declared in mid 1980's in Korea, but the number of malaria cases has been oscillating for the past 10 years since the reemergence of the disease in early 1990's. The occurrence of malaria has been concentrated near the demilitarized zone(DMZ), and the regional characteristics of the disease are evident. Considering the spatial variations of malaria incidence across the high-risk areas, the hotspot of the disease, it seems that the occurrence of the disease is influenced by the natural and human environment in the region. Malaria is an infectious disease that is transmitted to humans by the bites of vector-mosquitoes carrying malaria parasites, and it depends on specific climatic and sociodemographic factors. Malaria transmission is highly climate-sensitive, and temperature is the most important component. In addition, human contacts with vector-mosquitoes and the distance between human residence and mosquito habitats are crucial conditions determining malaria incidence rates. The present study aimed to test a hypothesis that the spatial characteristics of malaria incidence depended on local climatic conditions, relative proportions of mosquito habitats, and the distance between mosquito habitats and human residence using meteorological and satellite-based land cover data.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.362-373
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• 2021

This study was conducted to establish mosquito distribution density and habitat in Sejong city for the prevention of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. The overall distribution of mosquitoes in the Sejong City was investigated, and the population density of mosquitoes in the old and new city was analyzed. Mosquito populations were determined using MOSHOLE and Blacklight traps once a week overnight. We also compared the mosquito population density of the old city and the new city, and the daily mosquito population was calculated using the data from the smart mosquito trap(DMS). Of all the study sites, Geumnam-myeon had the highest number of mosquitoes captured, and the dominant species were Armigeres subalbatus and Culex pipienspallens. Mosquito species with the potential for transmitting diseases were mainly found in Yeonseo-myeon (106 individual), and Geumnam-myeon (101). Mosquito collection rates by MOSHOLE trap and Blacklight trap were 58.49% and 41.51%, respectively. We concluded that using CO₂ would be the most suitable approach for collecting mosquitoes. The mosquito population density in the old city (92.05±7.04) was approximately twice that of the new city(51.50±4.05). Since Sejong City is divided into old city and new city, it is difficult to spot remarkable effects in a standardized way. For effective quarantine, differentiation of quarantine must be established. This study results provide a basis for Sejong City's integrated mosquito control guidelines, and therefore effective control of which we believe will help control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases and reduce damage from mosquitoes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.307-314
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• 2015

The seasonal abundance of horse and deer flies (family Tabanidae) was analyzed using Mosquito Magnet$^{(R)}$ traps at 5 sites located near/in the demilitarized zone, northern Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea from late April to early October for 4 consecutive years (2010-2013). A total of 2,999 horse and deer flies (tabanids) belonging to 5 genera and 20 species were collected. Chrysops mlokosiewiczi (90.9%) was the most frequently collected, followed by Haematopota koryoensis (4.8%) and C. suavis (1.0%). The remaining 17 species comprised only of 3.3% of all species collected. C. mlokosiewiczi demonstrated bimodal peak populations during mid-June and early August, while H. koryoensis demonstrated a unimodal peak during mid-July. Overall numbers of tabanids collected were influenced by the previous year's winter temperatures and precipitation. Population abundance was influenced by habitat with most of tabanids collected from habitats near forested areas, followed by rice paddies, and a beef farm.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.334-343
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• 2014

The number of malaria cases has been undulating for the past 10 years in Korea since the reemergence of malaria in early 1990's. Considering the spatial variations of malaria incidence across the northmost border areas near the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the occurrence of the disease seems to be influenced by the natural and human environment in the region. Malaria is an infectious disease that is transmitted to humans by the bites of vector-mosquitoes that carry malaria parasites, and its incidence rate depends on specific climatic and sociodemographic factors. This study found that the spatial characteristics of malaria incidence have varied depending on relative proportions of mosquito habitats, distance between mosquito habitats and human residence, the physical and sociodemographic environments of the city by urbanization, and local topography.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2016

BtPlus is a group of biopesticides that are made of Bacillus thuringiensis and immunosuppressant. A new BtPlus that exhibits high insecticidal activity against mosquito larvae has been investigated in control efficacy in field conditions and its environmental safety against aquatic system. This study assessed the control efficacy of BtPlus against mosquito larvae with two different application methods. In aerial spraying application (100 mL per $3.3m^2$), BtPlus was effective at 50% or above formulation concentrations to control mosquito larvae. For a direct application to aqueous mosquito habitat, a semi-field mimicking paddy rice field was constructed. In this condition, BtPlus showed 80% and 100% control efficacies at 0.1% and 0.2% concentrations, respectively. BtPlus also showed 40% mortality against adults at 0.1% concentration in 10% sugar bait. However, its control efficacies against adults were much less than against larvae. Safety assessment of BtPlus against ecosystem was evaluated using young carp (Cyprinus carpio), a water flea (Daphnia magna), and a honey bee (Apis mellifera). BtPlus did not give any adverse effects on these nontarget organisms. Based on these results, BtPlus can be applied to control mosquitoes by direct aqueous application to paddy rice field.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.142-148
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• 2022

This survey was performed to monitor the spread of specific mosquito-borne pathogens at Jeonbuk. The frequency of occurrence of mosquito borne pathogens including Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, Zika virus, and yellow fever virus was assessed by collecting mosquitoes twice a month from March to December 2021 from various areas in Jeonbuk. A total of 15,975 mosquitoes from 15 species and 7 genera were collected. The highest number of 9,116 mosquitoes (trap index: TI, 506.4) were collected in the Wanju cattle pen, followed by the habitat for migratory birds and the downtown area in Jeonju. In the Gunsan habitat for migratory birds, 3,217 mosquitoes (TI, 178.7) were collected in the reed fields, 356 (TI, 19.7) in the men's toilets, and 1,948 (TI, 108.2) in the women's toilets. In Jeonju, 677 mosquitoes (TI, 37.6) were collected in the Deokjin park, 358 (TI, 19.8) in the Deokjin-gu office, and 303 (TI, 16.8) at the Jeonbuk National University. The largest population of mosquitoes was collected in the men's toilets in Gunsan and the Deokjin Park in downtown Jeonju. The results of the RT-PCR confirmation to determine the pathogen infection of the collected mosquitoes were all negative. These results provide a basis for tackling integrated mosquito-borne diseases in the Jeonbuk region.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2017

Background: As the habitat changes in Korea due to climate change, the emergence of disease-mediated vectors is increasing rapidly. Thus for the surveillance of mosquito- and chigger mite-borne disease, their seasonal prevalence and species composition were investigated at seven locations in Daegu, Gunwi and Sangju. Methods: Mosquitoes were collected twice every month from five collection sites using a black light and BG sentinel traps in Daegu and Gunwi from April through November. Chigger mites were investigated twice per month from wild rodents caught with Sherman live traps in Gunwi and Sangju from April through May and September through November. Results: A total of 2,361 female mosquitoes were collected. Cowshed (626 individuals, Trap index (TI) 44.7) and Kyungpook National University campus (846 individuals, TI 60.4) in Daegu had the highest number of mosquitoes in the black light and BG sentinel trap, respectively. The mosquitoes were collected more by BG sentinel trap than the black light trap. Nine mosquito species were trapped, and the Culex pipiens complex was the most commonly mosquito (1,397 individuals, 59.2%), followed by Anopheles sinensis (554 individuals, 23.5%). Anopheles sinensis (531 individuals, 51.9%) and Culex pipiens complex (1,142 individuals, 85.4%) were the most mosquitoes from black light and BG sentinel trap, respectively. In terms of seasonal prevalence, the highest abundance was in July, with 824 individuals collected. In chigger mites, eighty-one wild rodents of five species that are hosts of chigger mites were collected; among them, 53 and 25 individuals of Apodemus agrarius and Crocidura suaveolens, respectively were trapped. Leptotrombidium pallidum was a dominant species, with 2,467 individuals collected (67.8%). Conclusions: The mosquito was the dominant species in Culex pipiens complex and the highest in July and August. Apodemus agrarius was most abundant in wild rats and Leptotrombidium pallidum was dominant in the collected chigger mites.