{"title":"Wing geometric morphometrics to assess the population structure and dynamic patterns of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in a temperate urban landscape.","authors":"Maximiliano J Garzón, Nicolás J Schweigmann","doi":"10.1111/mve.70123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.70123","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We analysed the phenotypic variability of Aedes aegypti at two moments of the activity season (beginning and peak) across five geographic areas in Buenos Aires, a temperate-climate city in Argentina, using geometric morphometrics of the wing shape. In the global analysis, Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) showed slight shape variation between individuals from the beginning to the peak activity. Pairwise cross-validated reclassification yielded an accuracy of 68% for the beginning and 72% for the peak of activity. At the beginning of the activity, morphometric distances among areas were significant, cross-validated classification showed an overall accuracy of 68.9%, and no association was found between geographic and shape distances. During the peak of activity, no significant differences in morphological distances among areas were detected for the Centre-North, East-Westand East-South comparison using both Mahalanobis and Procrustes distances or for West-South comparison using Procrustes distances. Classification accuracy was 49%, and a significant correlation between the geographic and shape distances was observed. The phenetic tree grouped all geographic areas from the peak activity. Both the overall and partial analyses indicated that the wing shape was more variable at the beginning compared with the peak activity, where greater shape homogeneity was observed. The thermal characteristics of a temperate climate may modulate the exchange of individuals among areas throughout the season, resulting in morphological variation. Differences in wing shapes among geographic areas and no correlation between the geographic and morphological distances at the beginning may suggest that the activity season of Ae. aegypti could originate from morphologically divergent local populations. During the peak activity, the similarity in wing shapes among the geographic areas may indicate an enhanced dispersal flow of individuals during the period of highest relative abundance, resulting in a phenotypic homogenization of the wing shape. Patterns of wing shape changes over a relatively short time period may reflect specific dynamics within the urban environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":18350,"journal":{"name":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149167201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Denise C Wawman, Thomas Foxley, Emma Stone, Orly Razgour
{"title":"Not extinct but thriving-The rediscovery of the horseshoe bat fly Phthiridium biarticulatum (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) in the United Kingdom.","authors":"Denise C Wawman, Thomas Foxley, Emma Stone, Orly Razgour","doi":"10.1111/mve.70124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.70124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bat flies are haematophagous ectoparasites of bats, which have been infrequently studied in the United Kingdom. Phthiridium biarticulatum Hermann (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) is one of three species of bat fly that have been recorded in the United Kingdom. It was last recorded in 1959 and is considered extinct. We report the presence of P. biarticulatum on Lesser Horseshoe Bats Rhinolophus hipposideros (Bechstein) (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) at 14 sites across South West England, with a host infestation rate of 17.1% (58/339) of adult bats across 28 surveyed sites with maternity colonies in buildings. Using a species distribution model, we predict range suitability for P. biarticulatum across South West England and Wales. Our findings indicate that P. biarticulatum is not only present in the United Kingdom but may be common across the Lesser Horseshoe Bat's range, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring of the Nycteribiidae, a neglected group of parasites, given their potential to vector pathogens.</p>","PeriodicalId":18350,"journal":{"name":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149149857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haijian Wang, Yi Zhang, Chunwei Sun, Yingyu Yang, Miaomiao He, Zhixin Wu, Jianguo Tan, Fan He
{"title":"Relationships between meteorological factors and mosquito vector density in an Urban District of Shanghai, China (2018-2024).","authors":"Haijian Wang, Yi Zhang, Chunwei Sun, Yingyu Yang, Miaomiao He, Zhixin Wu, Jianguo Tan, Fan He","doi":"10.1111/mve.70119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.70119","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Weather-based early warning systems for mosquito-borne diseases require quantitative understanding of the non-linear and delayed effects of meteorological factors on vector dynamics, yet these remain poorly characterised for Aedes albopictus in subtropical urban settings. We analysed weekly Mosquito Oviposition Index (MOI) data from 64,340 ovitraps deployed in Shanghai during 2018-2024, using Generalised Additive Models and Distributed Lag Non-Linear Models to quantify lag-specific temperature effects over 4 weeks. Univariate Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) identified six significant meteorological predictors (p < 0.01), but multivariate GAMs retained only precipitation as independently significant (p = 0.008), with minimum temperature marginally so (p = 0.064). DLNM confirmed a significant overall temperature effect (F(9, 18) = 4.727, p = 0.0025), revealing a unimodal pattern: positive cumulative effects at 14-20°C, peaking at ~18-20°C and negative effects above 23°C. Lag dynamics were asymmetrical: cool conditions (13°C) had immediate positive effects (lag 0-1 weeks), whereas warm conditions (25°C) produced delayed negative effects (lag 2-3 weeks). Minimum temperature exerts significant non-linear, delayed effects on Aedes albopictus oviposition in urban Shanghai, with an optimal range of ~18-20°C and distinct lag-specific patterns. These quantitative estimates support the development of temperature-based early warning indicators for vector surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":18350,"journal":{"name":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149137170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
María Belén Natalini, Vincent Ciavatta, Stephanie Bellman, Sophia Di Cataldo, Francisco Sanchez Gavier, Gonzalo Vazquez Prokopec, Martín Kowalewski
{"title":"Detection of Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae in ticks from sympatric canids in northeastern Argentina.","authors":"María Belén Natalini, Vincent Ciavatta, Stephanie Bellman, Sophia Di Cataldo, Francisco Sanchez Gavier, Gonzalo Vazquez Prokopec, Martín Kowalewski","doi":"10.1111/mve.70121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.70121","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In northeastern Argentina, wild canids such as the pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) and the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) coexist with domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) across rural and peri-urban landscapes, creating opportunities for tick and pathogen exchange. Characterizing tick assemblages and associated pathogens in these hosts is essential to assess potential public health risks at the wildlife-domestic interface. Ticks were collected opportunistically from domestic dogs and road-killed foxes near two protected areas in Corrientes Province. Specimens were identified using morphological and molecular approaches and screened for Rickettsia spp. by PCR. A total of 30 adult ticks were obtained from 12 dogs and 8 foxes, representing four species: Amblyomma tigrinum, A. ovale, A. dubitatum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Amblyomma tigrinum was the most frequent species (50%). Seven individual ticks were confirmed as Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae in A. tigrinum, while one pooled sample was positive by screening only and was not confirmed. These findings expand the known geographic distribution of Ca. R. andeanae and provide molecular evidence of its circulation in ticks collected from both wild and domestic canids in northeastern Argentina. Our results highlight the importance of these hosts as sentinels for tick-borne pathogens and underscore the need for integrated One Health surveillance to better anticipate emerging potential risks in interface areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":18350,"journal":{"name":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149137178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effectiveness of different blood anticoagulants for artificial feeding of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the laboratory.","authors":"Aline Possati Cupolillo, Jéssica Rodrigues Assunção Bezerra, Andresa Borges de Araújo Fonseca, Rafaela Vieira Bruno, Luciana Ordunha Araripe","doi":"10.1111/mve.70122","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mve.70122","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Blood feeding is an essential feature to mosquitoes' colony maintenance, once females need blood from host to mature eggs. The once used methods of feeding directly on mammals or other vertebrates have been increasingly substituted for artificial feeders using pre-collected blood, in accordance with good laboratory practices and animal welfare. The artificial feeding method must allow females to lay viable eggs, in rates comparable with those of females fed directly on animals. Here, we tested the efficiency of artificially feeding mosquitoes Aedes aegypti versus the feeding on anaesthetised mouse in the laboratory. Moreover, we compared reproductive parameters of females fed on rabbit blood treated with three different anticoagulant methods (sodium citrate, heparin and defibrination) to select the best efficiency method. Our results show that artificial feeding was as attractive for females as the anaesthetised mouse, since no significant difference in the percentage of engorged females was found among methods. The average number of eggs laid per female was significantly lower when females fed on blood treated with the anticoagulant sodium citrate, while no difference was found among the other methods. Also, there was no significant difference among methods when egg viability was measured. Overall, our results confirm that different methods used for blood anticoagulation are similar in feeding and reproductive efficiency of mosquitoes Aedes aegypti, and are equivalent to feeding on anaesthetised mice in the laboratory.</p>","PeriodicalId":18350,"journal":{"name":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149128068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Keana Shahin, Katie M Clow, Olaf Berke, Ilaria Dorigatti, Victoria Ng
{"title":"Investigating the association between weather variables and Aedes albopictus abundance in Windsor, Ontario.","authors":"Keana Shahin, Katie M Clow, Olaf Berke, Ilaria Dorigatti, Victoria Ng","doi":"10.1111/mve.70104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.70104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) is notorious for transmitting several pathogens of public health importance. The mosquito has also displayed a great capacity for dispersal. Within the last 30 years, the mosquito has been documented on every continent except for Antarctica. The species was first noted in Canada in 2016 in Windsor-Essex, Ontario. Since then, Ae. albopictus has been found every subsequent year in active surveillance trapping (2017-2023). Despite the mosquito's establishment, there has been little research into how the Canadian environment is associated with its abundance. This study presents the first investigation into how weather variables such as precipitation, temperature, relative humidity and daylength impacted adult and larval Ae. albopictus abundance in Windsor, Ontario. We found weather variables 1 and 2 weeks prior to trapping to be associated with mosquito abundance but with differing thresholds. This suggests that Ae. albopictus has a specific niche within Ontario, Canada, and has adapted to the temperate climate. It is important now to further document the expansion of Aedes mosquito species into Canada as the climate continues to change.</p>","PeriodicalId":18350,"journal":{"name":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149128050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maare Mõtsküla, Heli Kirik, Nele Varik, Lea Tummeleht, Olavi Kurina
{"title":"Diapausing adult female mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in overwintering sites in Estonia in 2023-2024: Species composition and variation.","authors":"Maare Mõtsküla, Heli Kirik, Nele Varik, Lea Tummeleht, Olavi Kurina","doi":"10.1111/mve.70118","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.70118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In temperate regions, several mosquito species overwinter as diapausing females in sheltered habitats, enabling them to serve as early-season vectors of mosquito-borne pathogens. While overwintering species compositions have been documented in several parts of Europe, no comprehensive data exist for Estonia or for the Baltic region. This study aimed to investigate the species composition of diapausing female mosquitoes across natural and artificial overwintering sites in Estonia. Mosquitoes were collected during the winter season of 2023/2024 from 18 overwintering locations, including caves, bunkers and dugouts. Specimens were primarily identified morphologically, and species distribution patterns were analysed across sites. However, a subset of the Culex pipiens/Culex torrentium from the Piusa cave system was additionally identified to species level using molecular methods to test the accuracy of morphological identification. The relative temperature and humidity of each collection site were also recorded. A total of 5268 mosquitoes were analysed, of which 5090 (96.6%) were identified as Cx. pipiens/Cx. torrentium. Culiseta annulata (2.0%) and Culex territans (1.3%) were the next most frequent taxa, while species from the Anopheles maculipennis complex and Culiseta alaskaensis were rarely encountered. Species abundance varied among sites, with some, such as Astangu and Tartu Kalmistu paljand, supporting multiple taxa, while some others were dominated exclusively by Cx. pipiens/Cx. torrentium. Further molecular analysis of 300 randomly chosen Cx. pipiens/Cx. torrentium revealed 3/4 of the specimens to be Cx. torrentium, contrasting with the preliminary morphological identification. The highest mosquito abundances were recorded at overwintering sites where temperatures at the time of sampling ranged between 5.3 and 7.5°C and relative humidity ranged between 58% and 70%. Our study provides the first comprehensive overview of overwintering mosquito populations in Estonia. Culex pipiens/Cx. torrentium were the dominant overwintering species across selected hibernation sites, highlighting their ecological adaptability and potential epidemiological importance. The presence of other species was limited and spatially restricted. Based on molecular analysis of a randomly selected subset of specimens from the Piusa cave system, Cx. torrentium may be more abundant than Cx. pipiens at some sites. Furthermore, morphological identification is not suitable for differentiating between the overwintering females of Cx. pipiens and Cx. torrentium. These findings highlight the importance of integrating molecular tools into overwintering mosquito surveys to improve epidemiological assessments. Multi-season continuous microclimatic monitoring is needed to evaluate the relationship between microclimate parameters, mosquito abundance and species variation.</p>","PeriodicalId":18350,"journal":{"name":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149111812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Raúl Alfredo Marcó, Ana Carolina Alonso, José Fernando Gil, Marcela Montes, Magdalena Laurito, Paola Marcela Castillo, Raquel Miranda Gleiser, Carolina Mangudo
{"title":"Diversity and seasonal dynamics of mosquitoes in urban water drainage systems: Insights into sanitary relevant species in Salta, Argentina.","authors":"Raúl Alfredo Marcó, Ana Carolina Alonso, José Fernando Gil, Marcela Montes, Magdalena Laurito, Paola Marcela Castillo, Raquel Miranda Gleiser, Carolina Mangudo","doi":"10.1111/mve.70115","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.70115","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Urban environments offer favourable conditions for mosquito proliferation, supporting the transmission of diseases such as dengue and West Nile virus. Although fewer than 10% of the more than 3700 known mosquito species act as vectors, many thrive in cities due to climate, habitat availability and proximity to humans. Salta, northern Argentina, an understudied yet highly diverse region regarding mosquito fauna, is undergoing rapid urban growth. This study addresses a key gap by examining mosquito species developing in Salta's urban drainage channels. Understanding species composition in these settings is essential for guiding sustainable, targeted vector control, especially as urbanization and insecticide resistance alter transmission dynamics. Salta, the provincial capital, has experienced notable demographic expansion in recent decades. The city is intersected by drainage channels designed to manage rainwater and mitigate flooding. Fourteen sampling sites were selected across varied urban sectors, covering most of the channels and representing different channel conditions. Larvae and/or pupae were consistently found at over 80% of sites, and at least 10 mosquito species were identified across the genera Culex, Anopheles, Aedes and Lutzia, demonstrating the ecological significance of these habitats. Medically important species, including Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti, were detected. The former was dominant across all seasons, with its abundance negatively correlated with pH and positively with water depth. These findings provide the first documentation of drainage channels as mosquito larval habitats in the region and show that urban drainage infrastructure can support diverse mosquito assemblages, including species with contrasting ecological requirements. By highlighting the role of habitat heterogeneity and environmental conditions in shaping mosquito communities, this study contributes to a broader understanding of mosquito ecology and vector persistence in rapidly urbanizing environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":18350,"journal":{"name":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149111769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abdoul-Aziz M Maiga, Adandé A Medjigbodo, Hyacinthe K Toé, Aboubacar Sombié, Yvan G Fotso-Toguem, Luc S Djogbenou, David Weetman, Athanase Badolo
{"title":"Insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti across sub-Saharan Africa: An overview and perspectives for effective arbovirus control.","authors":"Abdoul-Aziz M Maiga, Adandé A Medjigbodo, Hyacinthe K Toé, Aboubacar Sombié, Yvan G Fotso-Toguem, Luc S Djogbenou, David Weetman, Athanase Badolo","doi":"10.1111/mve.70113","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.70113","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Arboviruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, including Zika, yellow fever and especially dengue and chikungunya, represent a growing public health concern in Africa. Insecticide-based strategies remain essential for the prevention and control of arboviral outbreaks. However, insecticide resistance in Ae. aegypti is globally widespread and appears to be rising in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we reviewed the distribution and phenotypic and molecular evidence of insecticide resistance in Ae. aegypti across sub-Saharan Africa and summarized the underlying resistance mechanisms and key knowledge gaps. Bibliographic databases were searched for studies published between January 2010 and December 2023. The review identified 40 studies from 18 of 47 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Among adults mosquitoes, resistance to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and pyrethroids was reported in multiple studies across West and Central Africa, while resistance to carbamates was also documented in several countries, comparatively fewer studies reported resistance to organophosphates. For larvae 7 of 40 studies assessed susceptibility to temephos, with potential resistance reported in only one study. Molecular investigations identified five kdr mutations including F1534C, V1016I, V410L, V1016G and S989P in 12 countries while metabolic resistance involving cytochrome P450s, carboxylesterases, glutathione S-transferases and other detoxification enzymes was reported in a smaller number of studies and countries. Overall, the evidence base remains geographically uneven and limited for several insecticide classes and resistance mechanisms. This review highlights important knowledge gaps, including the limited assessment of larvicides, emerging adulticide options, resistance intensity and Aedes-targeted vector control interventions, and underscores the need for more systematic and standardized insecticide resistance surveillance across sub-Saharan Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":18350,"journal":{"name":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149081342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Head lice among Greek schoolchildren: Prevalence, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and parental beliefs.","authors":"Michalis Linardakis, Elias Papadopoulos","doi":"10.1111/mve.70120","DOIUrl":"10.1111/mve.70120","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Head lice infestation (pediculosis capitis) remains a prevalent issue among school-aged children globally, with social and economic consequences that extend beyond the medical domain. This study investigates the prevalence of head lice infestation among Greek children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, examines associated sociodemographic and behavioural factors and explores parental beliefs and treatment practices. A structured online questionnaire capturing self-reported infestation frequency, treatment practices and parental beliefs was completed by 227 parents/guardians of children attending Greek kindergartens and primary schools. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, chi-square tests and Spearman correlations. Self-reported infestation frequency decreased significantly during the pandemic, consistent with reduced interpersonal contact. Manual removal of lice and children's higher social extroversion showed weak associations with more frequent infestation. Parental adherence to recommended treatment use was generally high, although misconceptions-particularly regarding pet transmission and hygiene-persisted. Although self-reported infestation frequency was not high in most households, parental misconceptions may hinder effective prevention and management. Educational interventions targeting these misconceptions could support more evidence-based responses and reduce the social stigma associated with lice infestation in school communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":18350,"journal":{"name":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149111804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}