Interesting Read On Mosquitos

[jaideeguy]

stumbled upon this on google news and thought it would be of interest to some. I've never been to the insect museum in CM, but now want to.

Mosquito couple are main draw at Chiang Mai's insect museum

By Peter Janssen Dec 21, 2010, 3:06 GMT

Chiang Mai, Thailand - Manop Rattanarithikul, 77, and his wife Rampa, 73, are two of the more interesting specimens to be found at Chiang Mai's Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders.

Manop, the museum's owner, operator and sole employee, is one of Thailand's two leading mosquito experts. His wife, Rampa, is Thailand's second leading mosquito expert.

Rampa will receive the John N. Belkin award from the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) in March next year. She will be the first Thai recipient of the award which recognizes trail-blazing research on mosquitoes. It's named after American entomologist John N. Belkin, author of the two-volume The Mosquitoes of the South Pacific.

Rampa officially retired earlier this year after finishing her six-volume opus on the mosquitoes of Thailand. It's a long read. There are 459 mosquito species in Thailand, of which Rampa, employed by the US's Armed Forces Institute of Medical Science of the Smithsonian for more than 50 years as a mosquito researcher in Thailand, discovered 24 of them.

Manop, a malaria expert previously employed by the US Operation Mission of Thailand, also discovered a few new mosquito species in the course of his long, back-biting career, one of which bears his name - Toxorhynchites manopi - a monster of a blood-sucker that luckily doesn't prey on people.

The larvae of the Toxorhynchitos manopi likes to eat the larvae of the Aedes aegypti, or the striped-leg mosquito that is the vector for dengue fever, also called haemorrhagic fever and breakbone fever.

If Manop had his way, the Thai government would be breeding millions of his namesake to rid the country of dengue fever.

'Instead of fogging and spraying the government just needs to breed a colony of Toxorhynchitos manopi because the larvae of this species is the natural predator of the larvae of Aedes aegypti,' Manop said. 'That's the best way to control the Aedes aegypti.'

But looking at the size of the Toxorhynchitor manopi, called the 'President of Thai mosquitoes,' one wonders if the public would appreciate such an anti-dengue campaign.

'The big problem is that the government people are ignorant,' Manop said, warming to his favourite topic. 'When people do fogging in Chiang Mai they kill millions of mosquitoes but if you checked them, you would find that not more than 1,000 are Aedes aegypti (dengue). That means you are killing mosquitoes that might be good for giving natural vaccines to birds and animals.'

Of the 459 mosquito species in Thailand only three are vectors for malaria and one, Aedes aegypti, is a vector for dengue. A handful of others are vectors for other dangerous viruses for humans such as Japanese encephalitis and filariasis (elephantiasis).

Out of the remaining 449 mosquito species maybe 50 can feed on human blood, while the rest feed on other animals, often acting as a vector for diseases that are specific to that animal.

'When a mosquito bites a bird or animal they put the disease into the creature's stomach, and nature can make it a natural vaccine,' Manop said.

He speculated that new diseases, such as the H1N1 virus, or bird flu, may have cropped up because of mankind's predilection for wiping out all mosquitoes.

While Manop and his wife are chiefly mosquito experts, mosquitoes are only one part of the Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders.

In fact, many objects in the museum are just curiousities that Manop picked up in the course of his mosquito-chasing life, such as the horns of a giant Thai buffalo, or a room full of wood art created by termites and some Roman coins.

Upstairs is the dead insect collection, except for one shelf of creepy-crawlers labelled 'These are Not Insects.'

His collections includes 436 mosquito species samples, which might benefit from a magnifying glass case, 4,668 insect species from around the world and 1,109 butterfly species.

Manop opened the museum ten years ago. 'I opened the museum because I like to look at my collection every morning,' Manop said. 'It makes me feel happy.'

Unfortunately none of his four children are interested in following in his footsteps.

'A foundation once offered me 4 million dollars for my collection but I said no,' Manop said. 'If I had my way I would move the museum to a bigger place and give it to the people of Chiang Mai, so people from around the world could come and visit.'

Until that happens, the museum is to be found on Nimmanhemin Road, Soi 13, Chiang Mai. The 300 baht (10 dollars) admission fee is well worth it, if Manop is there to talk you through the place.

[Thaddeus]

Very interesting indeed.

[nikster]

Yep, great stuff.

I am not 100% sure I buy into the plan to breed huge mosquitoes to kill the smaller ones.... what if they suddenly take a liking to humans...

[ThaiWx]

Very interesting read, thanks. Never realized that there are so many different species and how low percentage of the disease carriers there are.

[venturalaw]

Thank you very much for sharing. I pass the museum almost daily on my way to having lunch at my favorite restaurant and was wondering about it. I will definitely make a point of stopping in some day.

[sfokevin]

Just a general observation about mosquitos here...

When I am anywhere with my Thai partner he is always attacked by the little buggers while I am ignored... I assume this is due his thin skin and virtually fat free body vs my fatty body that shields my Infrared Heat signature also I assume they know that they have to drill deep to get to my veins

[ThaiWx]

Just a general observation about mosquitos here...

When I am anywhere with my Thai partner he is always attacked by the little buggers while I am ignored... I assume this is due his thin skin and virtually fat free body vs my fatty body that shields my Infrared Heat signature also I assume they know that they have to drill deep to get to my veins

Just the opposite with me. I can sit down to an outside dinner with a bunch of Thai friends/family, all wearing light clothing, sandals, etc., and I get chewed up bad (only farang) while everyone else goes untouched.

[nikster]

Just a general observation about mosquitos here...

When I am anywhere with my Thai partner he is always attacked by the little buggers while I am ignored... I assume this is due his thin skin and virtually fat free body vs my fatty body that shields my Infrared Heat signature also I assume they know that they have to drill deep to get to my veins

I don't think it's fat vs no fat - but very clearly there is something that makes some people much more attractive to Mozzies than others. I am a major mozzie magnet, and so is my Thai wife. But her mom can walk through swarms without getting bitten once. Her mom is extremely skinny. In my experience most Thais have no problems with mosquitoes. They give me funny looks when I start to spray repellent all over myself... because *they* don't get bitten

Since living in Thailand I have actually developed a sort of 6th sense for mosquitoes. I know when they're around before I see them, and before they bite me. I think it's because the mosquitoes "land" on your skin more than once before finding a place to bite, and when that happens I start feeling itchy right away. So if I pay attention I never get bitten - I either leave the premises or use repellent.

I've actually learned a lot from a Jungle guide I took a trek with once. He didn't use repellent but when in the Jungle or when mosquitoes appeared he'd just walk away at a brisk pace. In the evening he'd use smoke from the campfire to keep them at bay, and mosquito nets for the sleeping bag of course. The main thing he taught me is that it's relatively easy to manage mosquitoes if you pay attention - no need to get covered in bites like some tourists...

[Thaddeus]

I don't think it's fat vs no fat - but very clearly there is something that makes some people much more attractive to Mozzies than others.

It is known with some degree of certainty that mozzies do like some blood types over others, but even if you aren't of the preferred type and you are the only thing around, they will bite you.

Mozzies bite everyone, some people may claim that they never get bitten, but they do, it's just their skin doesn't react. Some people are born with this trait, others develop it over time, ever heard anyone say "I used to get bitten but I don't anymore" guess what they are still getting bitten.

When I only used to come here for short periods, I would lotion up every day, When I decided to live here I didn't want to smell like a chemical lemon 24/7 so I didn't bother, whenever I got bitten my skin would come up in a lump, it would itch like mad and that would go on for several hours, now, six years later, it does the same thing, but only for a minute or so, I expect if I stay here long enough, I will end up not reacting at all.

And that is actually a bad thing, those who claim not to be bothered by them are still being bitten by them, and therefore take no precautions at all, this means they have a higher risk of being infected by something nasty. The locals know this, why do do think practically every street shop sells mozzie killer sprays and those spiral smoke burners.

I know I still get bitten, so I always wear long trousers outside and you will never see me shirtless or barefoot.

P.S. if anyone mentions Vegemite, ignore them, it's an urban legend and has no basis in fact.

[mcgriffith]

from Wikipedia:

"Female mosquitoes are attracted by moisture , lactic acid , carbon dioxide , body heat and movement".

[mcgriffith]

BTW Thaddeus, spot on post.

[jayjay0]

Been here for six years Have given it a thought every so often but just not got around to it.

Interesting we had to take a tuk tuk this morning and I noticed one of the ads was for the Mosquito museum. Going to move it up on my list of things to do.

I had heard that if you spray Listerine on you they will stay away. Or spray it around the door and they will not enter.

[ThaiWx]

Been here for six years Have given it a thought every so often but just not got around to it.

Interesting we had to take a tuk tuk this morning and I noticed one of the ads was for the Mosquito museum. Going to move it up on my list of things to do.

I had heard that if you spray Listerine on you they will stay away. Or spray it around the door and they will not enter.

I was told that burning dried up orange peels keeps 'em at bay and my father in law has done this for our dogs outside at night. I know that since I've been visiting here in 1987 and moved here in 93, they still chew me up as much now as they did then! I think I realized why the Thai folks around me don't get bitten like I do. It's because I attract them all to me!

[wolf5370]

I only get bitten when sitting in restaurants/cafes/bars with shorts on at night. I spend all my time at home shirtless - the back door is open most of the night for the dogs and I rarely get bothered with them (though I do splat them if I see them) - the dogs get bitten more than me (actually the dog I brought over from the UK got bitten terribly all the time - day or night - and I used dog friendlt coils to try and keep them at bay best I could - the Thai dogs I have now are never surrounded by mozzies like poor old Rocky used to be - having said that, Rocky seemed immune to fleas where the Thai ones seem to get them so easily even without socialising!). If I go out at night I wear jeans and trainers. The rest of the time I'm in shorts and flip-flops and bare chested. We don't have aircon at home, but a fan on 1 (low) at night keeps them away from me while I sleep.

I never react badly anyway, small itchy lump at worse and then for a few days. I had dengue once, but I got over it in just 2 days.

[ThaiWx]

I only get bitten when sitting in restaurants/cafes/bars with shorts on at night. I spend all my time at home shirtless - the back door is open most of the night for the dogs and I rarely get bothered with them (though I do splat them if I see them) - the dogs get bitten more than me (actually the dog I brought over from the UK got bitten terribly all the time - day or night - and I used dog friendlt coils to try and keep them at bay best I could - the Thai dogs I have now are never surrounded by mozzies like poor old Rocky used to be - having said that, Rocky seemed immune to fleas where the Thai ones seem to get them so easily even without socialising!). If I go out at night I wear jeans and trainers. The rest of the time I'm in shorts and flip-flops and bare chested. We don't have aircon at home, but a fan on 1 (low) at night keeps them away from me while I sleep.

I never react badly anyway, small itchy lump at worse and then for a few days. I had dengue once, but I got over it in just 2 days.

What were your symptoms with the Dengue? I get bitten so often and guess I've been lucky so far. Just like to know what to expect if/when I get it.

[wolf5370]

I only get bitten when sitting in restaurants/cafes/bars with shorts on at night. I spend all my time at home shirtless - the back door is open most of the night for the dogs and I rarely get bothered with them (though I do splat them if I see them) - the dogs get bitten more than me (actually the dog I brought over from the UK got bitten terribly all the time - day or night - and I used dog friendlt coils to try and keep them at bay best I could - the Thai dogs I have now are never surrounded by mozzies like poor old Rocky used to be - having said that, Rocky seemed immune to fleas where the Thai ones seem to get them so easily even without socialising!). If I go out at night I wear jeans and trainers. The rest of the time I'm in shorts and flip-flops and bare chested. We don't have aircon at home, but a fan on 1 (low) at night keeps them away from me while I sleep.

I never react badly anyway, small itchy lump at worse and then for a few days. I had dengue once, but I got over it in just 2 days.

What were your symptoms with the Dengue? I get bitten so often and guess I've been lucky so far. Just like to know what to expect if/when I get it.

Headache like you would not believe, sweats, body aches (due to fever), zero energy (I mean can barely get up to go to the toilet -and then out of breath and exhausted like just run a marathon!) - sweat is thick and soaks the bedsheets. Can't think (probably due to headache) - all you want to do is sleep but headache makes it hard to - paracetamol doesn't touch it. Usually lasts anout 10 days on - but loss of energy can last longer. With me I was only bad for 2 days and then energy slowly returned over the next week, but there is a reason that it lasted so short in me - expect it to be a full 'fun' 2 weeks.

Edited December 24, 2010 by wolf5370

[ThaiWx]

I only get bitten when sitting in restaurants/cafes/bars with shorts on at night. I spend all my time at home shirtless - the back door is open most of the night for the dogs and I rarely get bothered with them (though I do splat them if I see them) - the dogs get bitten more than me (actually the dog I brought over from the UK got bitten terribly all the time - day or night - and I used dog friendlt coils to try and keep them at bay best I could - the Thai dogs I have now are never surrounded by mozzies like poor old Rocky used to be - having said that, Rocky seemed immune to fleas where the Thai ones seem to get them so easily even without socialising!). If I go out at night I wear jeans and trainers. The rest of the time I'm in shorts and flip-flops and bare chested. We don't have aircon at home, but a fan on 1 (low) at night keeps them away from me while I sleep.

I never react badly anyway, small itchy lump at worse and then for a few days. I had dengue once, but I got over it in just 2 days.

What were your symptoms with the Dengue? I get bitten so often and guess I've been lucky so far. Just like to know what to expect if/when I get it.

Headache like you would not believe, sweats, body aches (due to fever), zero energy (I mean can barely get up to go to the toilet -and then out of breath and exhausted like just run a marathon!) - sweat is thick and soaks the bedsheets. Can't think (probably due to headache) - all you want to do is sleep but headache makes it hard to - paracetamol doesn't touch it. Usually lasts anout 10 days on - but loss of energy can last longer. With me I was only bad for 2 days and then energy slowly returned over the next week, but there is a reason that it lasted so short in me - expect it to be a full 'fun' 2 weeks.

Well I now see there's no guessing whether or not you have it, Kind of obvious to say the least. Thanks for the information and Happy holidays!