Entomological surveillance is a traditional method to measure presence, distribution, and seasonal variation of vectors in urban areas, and is essential to targeted control activities to prevent arbovirus transmission. Ovitraps as one of the main components of surveillance programs, enable determination of female oviposition behavior, as well as identification of seasonal variations of the vector. The goals of this study were 1) to detect the mosquitos (Aedes aegypti Linnaeus) and (Aedes albopictus Skuse) (Diptera:Culicidae), in Paranaguá city, 2) to assess ovitrap positive index (OPI), egg density index (EDI), and their relationship with meteorological variables, and 3) to evaluate the vertical transmission of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The study was carried out in urban areas of Paranaguá city, an important port region of Brazil, from June 2017 to November 2018. The city was divided into 16 area-clusters. Three-hundred and thirty-one ovitraps were installed monthly, remaining for four days in selected places. Kernel density maps were done to compare the spatiotemporal distribution of collected eggs. Areas which maintained constant oviposition associated with vector activity were identified and were found to overlap the area-clusters with the highest EDI. As viral RNA was not detected, vertical transmission was likely not a maintenance mechanism of arbovirus circulation in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus vectors. This study reiterates the importance, efficiency, and feasibility of ovitraps to monitor the presence and dynamics of Aedes spp. populations.

Histological effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were observed in Chironomus sancticaroli larvae which underwent acute exposure. 2,2′,4-triBDE (BDE-17), 2,2′,4,4′-tetraBDE (BDE-47) and 2,2′,4,4′,5-pentaBDE (BDE-99) were evaluated at 0.5, 2.0 and 20 μg L-1. Cytoplasm vacuolisation of oenocytes was observed in the larvae exposed to BDE-17 and BDE-47. Cuénot cells were disrupted at the brush border as an effect of the three evaluated congeners highlighting BDE-47 at 2.0 μg L-1; 60% of larvae displayed this disruption. The midgut showed changes in the morphology of apex cells located next to the lumen of region I exposed to BDE-17 and BDE-47, while BDE-99 induced a narrowing of the lumen diameter. Significant cytoplasm vacuolisation of the larvae exposed to BDE-47 and BDE-99 was observed in region II of the midgut. Salivary glands showed acidophilic granules in the cytoplasm exposed to BDE-17 and BDE-47. The results showed that the tissues of C. sancticaroli were sensitive to flame retardants; these histopathologies can compromise the health and physiology of this organism, highlighting the concern with the presence of PBDEs in freshwater sediments.

Gaps and trends in species distribution knowledge can negatively influence biodiversity studies, emphasizing the need to map these limitations and assess inventory completeness. This study analysed spatial inventories of Culicidae, insects with high medical relevance, to identify priority research areas in Brazil. Records from 1900 to 2021 were collected from digital databases and literature, excluding those without scientific names, coordinates or sampling years. Sampling effort and inventory completeness were assessed across ecoregions, states and grid cells at 0.5° and 1° size resolution. Metrics analysed included record counts, the percentage of observed and expected richness ratio (completeness index, Cc) and accumulation curve slope (Cs). Units were classified as ‘well‐surveyed’ based on different thresholds, and priority zones were defined based on the last quartile of cells with the greatest distance and climatic uniqueness. A total of 9899 records from 22 scientific collections and 356 articles highlight comprehensive datasets in Southeast and Amazonas states, with limited data in the Northeast region. The Atlantic Forest contained the most complete information, yet well‐surveyed areas covered less than 1% of Brazil. This scenario shows that Brazilian Culicidae inventories are under construction due to low spatial representativeness and sampling biases for vector species, roads and urban areas. Filling these gaps with new sampling designs will enhance predictions of epidemiological risks and Culicidae species loss, especially in Acre, Pará, West‐Amazon, Northeast‐Atlantic, Brazilian Diagonal and Araucaria‐Pampean zones.