Medical Entomology
Practical No. 6
Aim: SURVEY, COLLECTION, PRESERVATION AND IDENTIFICATION OFANY FIVE
ARTHROPOD VECTORS
INTRODUCTION: A vector is a living organism that transmits an infectious agent from an
infected animal to a human or another animal. Vectors are frequently arthropods, such as
mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas and lice. Vectors can transmit infectious diseases either actively or
passively. Hence, this practical is intended to introduce the entomology students to the common
methods of insect vector collection, preservation, and curation. The curation of a collection is an
enormous responsibility. As has been mentioned several times, preserved insect and arthropod
specimens can last for hundreds of years. Curation means taking care of collected specimens.
REQUIREMENTS: Insect Pins of various sizes, Pinning blocks, labels, storage boxes, suitable
collection equipment, Glass/Plastic specimen bottles, Microscopes, Professional
DSLR/Mirrorless Camera (optional)
SKILLS TO BE LEARNED BY STUDENTS: (1) Surveying insects in different habitats
(Forests, Gardens, Crop fields, Water bodies, Host animals infested with insect parasites, etc),
(2) Dry/wet preservation of collected insect specimens, (3) Labelling the insect specimens, (4)
Storage of insect specimens, (5) Protection/care of collection (6) Identification of collected
insects specimens up to the level of family.
SURVEY: Searching for and finding insects depends on the habits and habitat of insects. Insects
can be searched for in gardens, backyards, forests, agricultural crops, on trees, grass, and shrubs,
under logs and stones, in soil, or in water. Parasitic insects can be collected from the host body.
The diurnal insects such as butterflies can be collected during day time. Nocturnal insects such as
many species of moths can be collected during the night.
COLLECTION: Different types of insect collection methods or devices can be used for
collecting insects. Aquatic nets are suitable for collecting aquatic insects such as diving beetles,
dragonfly nymphs, Aquatic bugs, etc. Aerial nets are suitable for collecting butterflies,
dragonflies, and many other flying insects. A suitable trap (light trap, color trap, etc.) can be
quite useful for the successful collection of insects.
KILLING INSECTS: Use commercially available killing jars (or self-designed killing jars) for
killing insects. Cold anesthesia can be used to immobilize insects before killing them or to kill
insects as well. Use proper killing agents such as diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform, carbon
tetrachloride etc.
PINNING THE INSECT SPECIMENS: Freshly killed insects are pinned through their thorax (or
anterior part of the abdomen). Pinned insect specimens are useful for storage, labelling, and
handling. Insect pins facilitate the handling of dry preserved specimens. We can also attach
labels through pins. Use insect pins made of pure steel only.
PRESERVATION: Once killed properly, insects can then be relaxed (if needed), followed by
preservation in dry form or wet form depending on the type of insect or its life cycle stage. The
insect larvae/pupae can be preserved in liquid preservatives such as alcohol or formalin. The
adult insects and nymphs are usually preserved in dry form following standard protocols.
LABELLING: Label the specimen with respect to the locality, name of the collector, date of
collection, etc. It is essential that specimens preserved for later study or storage are labelled fully
and clearly. For liquid-preserved insects, one label should always be kept inside a
container/bottle, and waterproof or alcohol-proof permanent ink pens should be used for
labeling. A rectangular piece of thick card/paper can be used for pinned specimens. Sticky labels
can be pasted on the containers .
STORAGE AND CURATION: Store dry preserved insects in insect dustproof storage boxes
preferably with airtight lids. Insect boxes may be made of wooden, plastic, or other materials.
The wooden box with a transparent glass lid is more suitable for the display of insects.
IDENTIFICATION: Identification keys by expert taxonomists are available online or in the form
of handbooks, field guides, and manuals. The books on the identification of particular groups of
insects are available for purchase through online shopping sites or can also be ordered from the
publishers. In India, published literature such as handbooks/pictorial guides/field guides from the
Zoological Survey of India, BNHS, etc. can be used for identification. The PG students are
advised to identify insects at least up to the level of the family. The students should work under
the guidance of the subject teacher or project supervisor to learn basic steps in the collection,
preservation, and storage of insects. For identification up to the level of genus/species, the
specimens can be sent to ZSI (OR deposited into ZSI regional center museums) where accurate
and reliable identification can be done by expert taxonomists.
ADD THE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY FIVE VECTORS FOLLOWING GIVEN FORMAT
AND PASTE THE IMAGES.
1. SYSTEMATIC POSITION
2. MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS
3. ROLE AS A VECTOR