Rove beetles of the genus Paederus cause dermatitis when they come in contact with human skin. This condition is prevalent in some tropical and subtropical regions, such as in northern Pakistan, where it was recorded for the first time by US troops. Despite much research from other countries on this subject, few studies, mostly clinical, have been performed in a Pakistani context. A survey was carried out in villages, towns and cities of Punjab province, Pakistan, to explore the rove beetle population dynamics and to develop a model to elucidate the symptoms, preventive measures and treatment strategies for this dermatitis.

Inspite of its multiferious (scavenger, predator and medical importance) role which it plays in the ecosystem, its ecology is rarely investigated. So, the present study aims to investigate and relate Paederus fuscipes assemblages to cultivated soils and forest parameters of the Punjab, Pakistan during 2008-2009 with six different collecting methods (pitfall traps, light traps, flight intercept traps, Berlese funnel traps, sweep net and visual observation). Maximum population was collected with the help of pitfall trap. It was recorded only from cropped areas mainly having decayed organic matter. Not a single individual was recorded from forest areas. It was mainly recorded from maize (Zea maize) and berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) crops due to presence of soft bodied insects. It preferred damp soil rich in organic matter for egg laying under natural conditions. Maximum activity was observed near the ground. Maximum population was recorded during March and July-August. Light had attractive effect on it, so maximum activity was observed during night also. Its activity is greatly influenced by light and soil moisture contents.

The population of mosquitoes is mainly influenced by the biotic and abiotic factors. Although Aedes aegypti was reported until 1960’s in the Punjab, Pakistan, the population has increased dramatically since 2009 and caused severe epidemics in 2011 due to heavy floods and rains. Thus, this study was carried out to know the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the population of Aedes aegypti. Mosquitoes were collected from fresh, sewage, and rain water ponds, fish ponds, rice fields, tyres, tree holes, and manmade storage containers present in and around residential homes twice during every winter (October–February), summer (March–June) and monsoon season (July–September) from marked rural areas. More mosquitoes were collected in 2010 and 2011 due to floods than other years with heavy rains. High population (52.4%) was recorded during the rainy season due to high temperature (28–36 °C) and high relative humidity (up to 75%), while low population was recorded during the winter due to low temperature (< 5 °C) and low relative humidity (< 22%). Specimens were recorded indoors when outside temperature was below freezing point. Ae. aegypti was largely collected from tyres and urban areas mostly during the rainy season from small water containers. Years, months, seasons, temperature and relative humidity were statistically significant concerning the population dynamics of mosquitoes. Abiotic factors (temperature & relative humidity) along with habitat have significant impact on population dynamics of mosquitoes.

The efficacy of essential oils from some medicinal plants as a larvicidal and pupicidal agent was tested against Aedes albopictus. The oils were extracted from different plant parts (leaves, branches and rhizomes) with Soxhlet apparatus using acetone as a solvent. The mortality was determined after 8, 16, 24 and 48 hours with different concentrations (100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm) along with a control treatment. Data was analysed by Probit analysis to calculate LC50 and LT50. Results revealed that early immature stages were more susceptible than later ones. Ginger was more effective with the lowest LC50 values after 8 and 16 hours against all tested life stages followed by peppermint, basil, eucalyptus and neem. In addition, basil was efficacious after 24 and 48 hours. Therefore, we conclude that these oils can be used in combination for the management of mosquito immature stages.