Recent advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, such as the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for image recognition, have emerged as a promising modality with the capability to visually differentiate between mosquito species. Here we present the first performance metrics of IDX, Vectech’s system for AI mosquito identification, as part of Maryland’s mosquito control program in the USA. Specimens were collected over fourteen weeks from twelve CDC gravid trap collection sites, identified morphologically by an entomologist, and imaged using the IDX system. By comparing entomologist identification to the algorithm output by IDX, we are able to calculate the accuracy of the system across species. Over the study period, 2,591 specimens were collected and imaged representing 14 species, 10 of which were available in the identification algorithm on the device during the study period. The micro average accuracy was 94.9%. Of these 10 species, 7 species consisted of less than 30 samples. The macro average accuracy when including these species was 79%, while the macro average when excluding these species was 93%. In the next iteration of this technology, Vectech is translating the vector identification capabilities of IDX into systems capable of processing greater numbers of specimens at large public health facilities, and remote sensing systems that will allow public health organizations to monitor vector abundance and diversity from the office. These advances demonstrate the utility of artificial intelligence in entomology and its potential to support vector surveillance and control programs around the world.

Due to climate change and the rise in international transportation, there is an emerging potential for outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Consequently, the rapid detection of vector mosquito species, including those in the Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex genera, is crucial for effective vector control. Currently, mosquito population monitoring is manually conducted by experts, consuming significant time and labor, especially during peak seasons where it can take at least seven days. To address this challenge, we introduce an automated mosquito monitoring system designed for wild environments. Our method is threefold: It includes an imaging trap device for the automatic collection of mosquito data, the training of deep-learning models for mosquito identification, and an integrated management system to oversee multiple trap devices situated in various locations. Using the well-known Faster-RCNN detector with a ResNet50 backbone, we’ve achieved mAP (@IoU=0.50) of up to 81.63% in detecting Aedes albopictus, Anopheles spp., and Culex pipiens. As we continue our research, our goal is to gather more data from diverse regions. This not only aims to improve our model’s ability to detect different species but also to enhance environmental monitoring capabilities by incorporating gas sensors.

최근 기후변화 및 국제교역량, 여행객, 외국 이주민 등의 증가로 국내 농작물에 큰 피해를 입힐 수 있는 고위험 식물 병의 국내 유입이 꾸준히 증가하고 있고 이에 따라, 검역기관 종사자들의 업무량도 늘어나고 있다. 특히 ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’가 원인병원균인 감자 제브라칩병의 경우, 발생하게 되면 감자를 초토화시켜 막대한 피해를 야기한다. ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’의 감자와 토마토 등의 가지과(Solanaceae) 작물과 당근을 포함하는 산형과(Umbelliferae) 작물이 기주가 될 수 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 아직까지 국내에 유입되지 않은 감자 제브라칩병과 매개충인 토마토 감자 나무이(tomato potato psyllid; TPP; Bactericera cockerelli Sulc.)에 대한 예찰 조사를 수행하였다. 예찰 조사를 위해 전국을 7개 권역(경기-강원, 충청, 전북, 전남, 경북, 경남 및 제주)으로 나누고, 각 권역에 속하는 3개 지역 중심으로 수행하였는데, 경기-강원 권역은 인천, 화성, 춘천 및 홍천, 충청 권역은 공주, 세종 및 청주, 전북 권역은 익산, 완주 및 정읍, 전남 권역은 보성, 고흥 및 순천, 경북 권역은 상주, 김천 및 안동, 경남 권역은 거창, 함양 및 진주, 제주 권역은 구좌 및 성산 지역이 해당되며, 지역당 3개 지점을 두고 조사하였다. 매개충 TPP 조사를 위해 끈끈이 트랩을 이용한 조사를 병행하였다. 예찰 조사는 2018년 9월부터 10월까지 2주 간격으로 실시하였다. 2018년 예찰 조사결과, 감자 제브라칩병과 매개충인 TPP는 국내에는 확인되지 않았다. 이 연구는 식물병을 조기에 탐지하기 위해 구축된 전국적인 모니터링 네트워크를 통해 수행할 수 있었고, 국외 외래유입병들의 예찰 조사를 위한 지역 거점을 확보하는데 기여하였다고 평가된다.

최근 기후변화와 더불어 국제 교역량, 여행객 및 외국 이주민 등의 증가로 인해 국내 농작물에 큰 피해를 입힐 수 있는 고위험 식물 병의 유입 사례가 꾸준히 증가하고 있는 추세다. 특히, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’가 원인병원균인 감귤황룡병의 경우, 발생하게 되면 감귤과원에 큰 피해를 야기한다. 이에 본 연구에서는 아직까지 국내 유입되지 않은 감귤황룡병과 매개충인 아시아감귤나무이(Asian citrus psyllid; ACP; Diaphotima citri)에 대한 예찰 조사를 남부지역에 집중된 유자 재배지 중심으로 수행하였다. 유자는 감귤황룡병의 기주가 될 수 있는 운향과(Rutaceae)에 속하는 작물로 기후 특성상 우리 나라 전라남도와 경상남도 해안지역을 중심으로 주로 재배되고 있다. 예찰 조사는 전남과 경남에 속하는 각 3개 지역 중심으로 수행하였는데, 전남 권역은 고흥, 보성 및 광양 중심으로 그리고 경남 권역은 거제, 통영 및 남해 지역이며, 지역당 3개 지점을 두고 조사하였다. ACP 포획을 위해 끈끈이 트랩을 이용한 조사를 병행하였다. 예찰 조사는 2018년부터 2020년까지 3년에 걸쳐 수행하였고 2018년은 6월부터 10월까지, 2019년과 2020년은 4월부터 10월까지 2주 간격으로 실시하였다. 예찰 조사 결과 감귤황룡병과 매개충 ACP는 국내에서는 아직 확인되지 않았다. 이 연구는 식물병을 조기에 탐지하기 위해 구축된 전국적인 모니터링 네트워크를 통해 수행할 수 있었고, 국외 고위험 식물 병들의 예찰 조사를 위한 지역 거점을 확보하는데 기여하였다고 평가된다.

As the malaria surveillance agency, the Korean Center for Control and Prevention (KCDC) has been monitoring malaria vector mosquito density and Plasmodium vivax infection since 2009. Anopheline mosquitoes were collected at 35 sites in Incheon, northern Gyeonggi and northern Gangwon Province using black light trap daily from April to October 2015. P. vivax infection of malaria vector mosquitoes tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In 2015, a total of 57,926 malaria vector mosquitoes were collected among 138,119 mosquitoes. Three P. vivax positive pools were detected among 1,556 pools (13,745 individuals) and its minimum infection rate was 0.22. According to the monitoring result of malaria vector mosquitoes, early summer (June-July) could be an appropriate time for a malaria elimination campaign until September.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is considered as potential vector of Zika virus in Republic of Korea (ROK). Vector control during mosquito season is one of critical factors for decline of viral transmission. Total 14 oversea travel-associated Zika cases by mosquito bite were reported throughout ROK from January to September 2016 and vector control and monitoring at surroundings of patient’s residences was carried out during three weeks after confirmation of the virus. Although population density rates of Ae. albopictus were remarkably various according to ecological surroundings, population density of Ae. albopictus near forest was higher than urban. All captured Aedes mosquitoes were used for detection of three flavivirus, Zika, Dengue and Chikunguya, using RT-PCR and any virus was not detected. Population density of Ae. albopictus decreased > 65% on average after vector control and in one area > 95% of population density decreased. Our data might reveal that vector monitoring and control at surroundings near residences of oversea travel-associated Zika patients might effectively prevent viral transmission by mosquito bite and naturalization of the virus in ROK.

Vector mosquitoes are related with various diseases on human, such as malaria (Anopheles sinensis (L.), An. sinensis), Japanese encephalitis (Culex tritaeniorhynchus (L.), Cx. tritaeniorhynchus), yellow fever (Aedes albopictus (L.)), dengue hemorrhagic fever (Ae. albopictus) and filariasis (Ae. albopictus), as well as nuisance insect pests (Culex pipiens pallens Foskal, Cx. p. pallens). Continued and repeated use of conventional insecticides such as organophosphorus and carbamates, pyrethroids has often resulted in the widespread development of resistance and has undesirable effects on non-target organisms and environment. Particularly, widespread insecticide resistance has been a major obstacle in the cost-effective integrated vector management program. In theRepublic of Korea (ROK), studies on mass vector mosquito control using insecticides were mainly carried out until 1970’s such as a fuselage-mounted ULV spray system to C-46 aircraft, effectiveness of ground aerosols ULV premiumsumihtion, a helicopter application of ULV Dibrom and residual toxicity of organophosphates in animal shelters for Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Plasmodium vivax malaria vector mosquito control. Regional insecticide resistance of vector mosquitoes has been annually evaluated since ,early 1980’s, the first detailed study on susceptibility of seven mosquito species to 13 organophosphorus insecticides revealed the DDT and lindane resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhyunchus. Marked annual and regional variations of insecticide resistance have been observed. In comparative resistance, the resistance ratios of various insecticides were compared among each other using two strains of vector mosquitoes that were collected from same locality. An. sinensis from Koyang-si in 1992 and 1981 demonstrated >100 folds and >3000 folds of higher resistance to DDT and to bio-resmethrin. An. sinensis from Paju-si in 2008 demonstrated 30 folds of higher susceptibility to fenthion than those collected in seven years ago. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus from Gwanju in 2010 and in 1992 showed >100 folds of higher resistance to pyrethroids. In comparative regional resistance monitoring, Cx. p. pallens from six localities in the ROK in 2008 and six geospatially-distant field Cx. tritaeniorhynchus strains in 2011 showed marked regional resistance variations. Field populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus from agricultural areas demonstrated extremely higher insecticide resistance to pyrethroids than those from non-agricultural areas. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations from rice paddies had been under heavy selection pressure due to pyrethroids, which were used for a long time to control agricultural pests in the localities. These results indicate that careful selection and rotational use of these insecticides may results in continued satisfactory control against field populations of vector mosquitoes