This article summarises the 2013-14 wet season in Darwin urban in relation to rainfall, mosquito numbers and notified Ross River virus cases.

There has been some public concern over a possible increase in blowfly numbers since the introduction of Wheelie bins. Some opinion attributes this possible increase in blowfly numbers to the reduction in bin collection frequency from twice per week to once per week. To aid in resolving the issue the Medical Entomology Branch of the NT Department of Health and Community Services, set up an experiment to determine what link existed between Wheelie bins and blowfly numbers.

There are many examples of development in the Darwin region that have led to enormous populations of a range of mosquito species, severely effecting residents in nearby areas and requiring costly rectification. To aid planners in their design of the proposed Newton development, the Medical Entomology section of the department of Health and Families has made collections of biting midges and mosquitoes form march 1984 to April 1985 in and around the proposed development area between the Elizabeth and Blackmore Rivers, south-west of Palmerston. Additional surveys of biting midge breeding areas were made in late 1987. This report analyses the result and suggest methods of minimising the adverse effects of the biting insect present in the proposed development area, and outlines some construction guidelines to avoid exacerbating the problem.

There have been many instances of construction in or near tidal areas in the Top End of the Northern Territory that have resulted in ecological disturbance and subsequent mosquito breeding. Many of the deleterious disturbances have been the result of little or no recognition of the ecological consequences of construction practices, either during the construction period or on completion of the project. Much of the deleterious ecological disturbance can be avoided or minimized by consultation between engineers or construction authorities and people with ecological expertise.

In April 1992 the Darwin City Council approached the Medical Entomology Branch, Department of Health & Community Services to conduct a trial to determine the efficacy of Enviroblox insecticidal blocks against blowflies and their larvae in wheelie bins. These blocks consisted largely of napthalene with 2% permethrin. Initial trials indicated that the insecticidal activity of the blocks was not adequate for effective control (especially of larvae). A second batch of Enviroblox insecticidal blocks containing 10% dichlorvos with napthalene were tested against blowflies and their larvae. Under the trial conditions these blocks killed blowflies within half an hour and larvae within six hours. Shelltox Ministrips which contain 18.6% dichlorvos were found to kill blowflies and larvae as effectively as the insecticidal blocks. Larvae feeding on organic matter within plastic bags may be protected from the insecticide vapour in the bin air space. However once larvae escape from the bags to search for pupation sites or more food they are likely to come into contact with a lethal dose of insecticide. The report concludes that a trial of the blocks in household wheelie bins in part of Darwin should be undertaken to confirm the trial results reported here.

This article summerises the recent successful program to eliminate an incursion of the dengue mosquito, Aedes aegypti from Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.

Darwin, the northern gateway to Australia, is both vulnerable and receptive to a range of exotic and endemic mosquito borne diseases, including malaria, dengue, epidemic polyarthritis and Australian encephalitis. The Medical Entomology Branch has developed an integrated mosquito control program.

Medical Entomology of the Department of Health visited Katherine and Mataranka between 12th and 14th February 2014 to carry out mosquito surveillance and control due to high rainfall (417mm) that occurred in Katherine between 1st January and the 2nd February 2014. Operations included larval mosquito surveys at known potential mosquito breeding sites in Katherine based on the Katherine 2006 flood report, setting of adult mosquito CO2 baited EVS traps and exotic mosquito larval surveys at various locations in Katherine and Mataranka to confirm the absence of the dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti and other exotic mosquito species.

Medical Entomology (ME) of the Department of Health (DoH) visited Katherine on 14th and 15th April 2015 to undertake routine adult mosquito trapping to determine mosquito numbers in Katherine Town, inspect selected sites for mosquito breeding and undertake adult mosquito trapping and larval surveys to confirm the absence of exotic mosquitoes.

The Medical Entomology Annual Report 2009-10 is intended to present an overall picture of DHF mosquito surveillance and control activities carried out in the Northern Territory in 2009/10.

Vesteys Lake is one of the most significant and productive mosquito breeding sites in Darwin Urban for the northern salt marsh mosquito Aedes vigilax. Historically the area was a disturbed salt marsh/mud flat habitat with numerous tidal pools and drainage lines, which were breeding sites for Ae. vigilax and other mosquito species (PER 1988). Aedes vigilax is the principal pest mosquito in areas of Darwin Urban near the coast, and is a potential vector of Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV). The Conservation Commission of the NT commenced construction of the lake in 1988, and Darwin City Council assumed responsibility of the lake some time after construction was completed. The construction of the lake and surrounds resulted in the creation of new and extensive Aedes vigilax breeding sites. The lake itself has never become a mosquito breeding site, but the surrounding landscape has been a significant breeding site for Aedes vigilax from the inception of the lake to the present, 20 years later. The mosquito breeding sites were the result of suitable grades not being applied to many areas. There has been some works over the years by Medical Entomology and DCC (under the combined Mosquito Engineering Program) to remove mosquito breeding sites, which have been successful in reducing the extent of various mosquito breeding sites, but there are still further works required to prevent mosquito breeding.

The Operations Manager and the Development Planning and Vector Control Officer of the Medical Entomology Branch (MEB) went to Alice Springs on 4-5 September 2006 to inspect the Alice Springs storm water drains and the Ilparpa swamp. The purpose of the MEB visit was to both make recommendations on storm water drain maintenance and rectification works required in Alice Springs and to inspect the Ilparpa swamp drainage system to reduce mosquito pest and disease potentials for the people of Alice Springs. MEB staff met with local EH staff, Fiona Smith and Philip Ahchee and a representative of the Alice Springs local Town Council (ASTC).

The Murrumujuk development at Gunn Point plans to locate semi rural and urban areas close to the beach at Shoal Bay in proximity to a number at tidally influenced creeks and extensive mangrove areas. This report's aim was to determine if any significant mosquito or biting midge (sand-fly) problems are likely to exist in the area, and to provide information on rectification, avoidance and control measures that could reduce any pest or potential health problem posed by these biting insects.

A coastal wetland with important larval habitats for Aedes vigilax (Skuse), the northern salt marsh mosquito is located adjacent to the northern suburbs of Darwin. This species is a vector for Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus, as well as an appreciable human pest. To improve aerial larval control, we identified the most important vegetation categories and climatic/seasonal aspects associated with aerial control operations in this wetland after inundation with tide, rain and tide and rain combined. The analyses showed that the Schoenoplectus/mangrove areas require most of the control after inundation by tide only (30.1%), and also extensive control when tides and rain are coinciding (18.2%). Tide-affected reticulate vegetation requires extensive control after inundation by rain only (44.7%), and when tide and rain inundation coincide (38.0%). The analyses further showed that most of the control needs to be carried out between September and January, with a control peak in November and December. To maximise the efficiency of aerial salt marsh mosquito control operations in northern Australia, aerial control efforts should concentrate on Schoenoplectus/mangrove and tide-affected reticulate areas, especially between September and January.