ARTHROPOD RESEARCH LABORATORY

ARTHROPOD RESEARCH LABORATORY

TIDREC's Arthropod Research (AR) Unit is dedicated to advancing the understanding and control of diseases transmitted through vectors. This unit specializes in various entomological studies, critical for addressing diseases spread by mosquitoes, flies, and ectoparasites. The unit's projects primarily focus on discovering insecticides to effectively manage insect vectors, especially mosquitoes. Functioning as an expert partner, the unit collaborates with developers, manufacturers, and users of insecticide products, offering various services and promoting cooperation. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the AR Unit conducts a diverse range of bioassay tests, driving innovative research, education, and training initiatives. The unit also houses the Blackfly Gallery, which preserves various types of specimens of black fly species in Southeast Asia. TIDREC's AR Unit is committed to finding effective solutions for vectors and vector-borne diseases and making a positive impact on creating a safer, healthier society.

The ARL also houses a Blackfly Gallery where most of the type specimens of new black fly species discovered in Southeast Asia are deposited.

The featured research activities of this unit are as follows:

Discovery of 132 new species of black flies in the Oriental Region

Black flies are biting insects of medical and veterinary importance. This is because females of certain species not only cause dermatoses like itching, rash and edema to humans and cattle but also are vectors of human and zoonotic onchocerciases, when they bite. Comprehensive knowledge of the fauna of black flies is essential as basic information to solve the problems or to promote a wide range of black fly research.

Since November 2010, University of Malaya Simuliidae Research Project researchers have collaborated and carried out field surveys in eight countries to explore the simuliid fauna in the Oriental Region, and discovered 132 new species which belong to five subgenera of the genus Simulium (30 species from Malaysia, 48 species from Vietnam, 25 species from Thailand, 10 species from Nepal, 10 species from Indonesia, three from Myanmar, four species from Taiwan, one species from Laos and one species from India), bringing the total number of black flies in the Oriental Region to 576. The researchers provided a new classification scheme to facilitate species identification, as well as describing these new species.

Person in charge

Name: Associate Prof. Dr. Low Van Lun                                                                                                                                    

Email: vanlun_low@um.edu.my

Name: Dr. Zubaidah Ya'cob                                                                                                                  

Email: zyacob@um.edu.my