Annual report on the health and medical services of the state of Queensland.

  • Queensland. Department of Health.
Date:
[1962]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report on the health and medical services of the state of Queensland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    83/86 (page 83)
    APPENDIX 1 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL MOSQUITO CONTROL COMMITTEE, 1961-1962 The Committee has provided advice on mosquito problems, identification of specimens, assistance to other institutions and individuals engaged in mosquito work, and has continued its programme of research into the systematics, biology and distribution of Queensland mosquitoes. 1. FIELD WORK Collections were made in the following areas: Camp Mountain, 22nd, 30th September, 15th October; Upper Cedar Creek, Samford, 16th November; Carnarvon Gorge, 26th January-4th February; Toowoomba, 14th-16th March; Lowood, 18th March; Curtis I., 20th-23rd; Blenheim, 20th May; Maroon, 2nd-4th June. Camp Mountain Collection and rearing of Anopheles corethroides and a new species of Dixa. Upper Cedar Creek On the visit of Professor L. Brundin, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, a world authority on Chirono- midae, opportunity was taken to observe his special methods of collecting aquatic Diptera. Carnarvon Gorge Dr. Marks, as a member of the University of Queensland Carnarvon Scientific Expedition, collected species of biting Diptera, viz. Culicidae (9), Simuliidae (2), Ceratopogonidae (7), Phlebotominae (1), Tabanidae (4). Collecting methods included a battery-operated New Jersey light-trap. Culex annulirostris, Anopheles annulipes, Aedes milsoni, Aedes rubrithorax and Aedes notoscriptus were taken biting, but not in pest numbers. The known range of A. milsoni was extended by this collection, previous Queensland records being from Stanthorpe to Glasshouse Mountains. The collections suggest that some species with special habitat requirements may have a fairly continuous distribution along the inland parts of the Great Dividing Range between the more coastal sections to the north and south. Curtis I Sixteen species of mosquitoes were collected. These included an undescribed species of Aedes (Macleaya) not pre¬ viously found south of Townsville, and all stages of Aedes pseudonormanensis. The latter species 'has not previously been collected in coastal localities, and its pupa is undescribed. Anopheles annulipes, Culex annulirostris and Aedes vigilax were breeding in rock pools on the shore just above high tide- mark; the water, coming from seepages, was practically fresh. Blenheim, Laidley district In the very brackish water draining from a large salting Anopheles annulipes, Anopheles amictus hilli and Culex sitiens were breeding. The latter two species are normally found in brackish water resulting from high tides. C. sitiens was breed¬ ing here in very large numbers. Maroon A new species of Dixa was collected. 2. PUBLICATIONS The following papers were published during the year:—• Marks, E. N., 1961. Faunal Relationships of some Australian and Papuan Culicidae. Proc. XI. Congr. Ent., 1 : 185-187. Marks, E. N., 1962. Abstract from Past Proceedings. ]. ent. Soc. Qd. 1 : 49 (Note on the occurrence of Orthopodomyia andamansis in Queensland, a new generic record for Australia). Marks, E. N., 1962. Mosquitoes, Sand Flies and March Flies of the Carnarvon Gorge Area. Qd. Nat. 16 : 106-111. The following paper is in the press:— Marks, E. N. A Revision of the Subgenus Chaeto- cruiomyia Theobald (Diptera, Culicidae). 3. ACQUISITIONS A valuable South Pacific mosquito collection represent¬ ing 55 species and including paratypes of 21 new species, was received from Dr. J. N. Belkin, University of California, who is publishing a monograph on the mosquitoes of the South Pacific, in which work he had been assisted by loan of material from our collection. Paratypes of new Victorian species and other valuable specimens were received from Dr. N. D. Dobrotworsky. Paratypes of a new Aedes from Chatham Is. were received from Dr. L. J. Dumbleton. 4. IDENTIFICATIONS Specimens submitted for identification have provided valuable locality and seasonal records and research material. These came from the following:—- Queensland: J. L. Wassell (Port Stewart); D. Hunt- ley (Strathpine); 1 Mobile Malaria Control Unit (Babinda and Atherton districts—includes Anopheles corethroides from Atherton, the previous northern most record being Fraser I.); M. Tesch (Texas, Montville); C. Hembrow (Wallumbilla); K. Korboot (Tamborine Mt.); I. C. Yeo (Ballandean); J. Bancroft (Eidsvold); J. T. Brooks (Taringa—4 collections, 425 specimens); Queens¬ land Museum (Proserpine); M. Hawken (Clayfield). New South Wales: I. M. Mackerras. Victoria: N. Dobrotworiky, G. Douglas. Western Australia: E. J. Britten. New Guinea: Dr. J. J. H. Szent-Ivany; S. H. Christian (4 lots, including new life history material of an undescribed Aedes)-, B. McMillan (2 lots). In addition many specimens from the Toowong light trap collections have been identified. 5. PUBLIC HEALTH Collections were received for identification through the Department of Health and Home Affairs from— Coochie Mudlo Bauhinia Shire Council Toowoomba (2) Warwick Esk Shire Council Deagon Two collections were identified for Brisbane City Council. The Warwick collection of Aedes lineatopennis appears to be the southern most record of this species in Queens¬ land, possibly in Australia. Toowoomba At the request of the Toowoomba City Council, and in collaboration with their Chief Health Inspector, Dr. Marks undertook a field investigation in and near Toowoomba, 14-15th March, 1962, the object being to identify and to locate breeding places of sylvan mosquitoes which from time to time occur in Toowoomba. Heavy infestations of Culex annulirostris had occurred in the Toowoomba Range area in January and March, 1962, and this field study left little doubt that the main invasion of this species had come with easterly winds. Prolific breeding places, mainly shallow grassy swampy sites of a temporary nature, resulting from the wet season, were found between the foot of the range and Helidon. Adults of C. annulirostris were sheltering in great numbers in the dense vegetation on the eastern side of the range, from which they would disperse when conditions were favourable. In all, 13 species were collected, of which 7 were Aedes species which breed in temporary rain-filled pools. Collection of Aedes theobaldi at Helidon Spa was of interest; this is a common pest species after rain in western Queensland, but is seldom taken in the Moreton district.