Management of insect and other arthropod parasites and vectors of human diseases
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Date
2026-05-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Nature
Abstract
This chapter provides a thorough overview of the management of insects and other arthropod parasites and vectors of human diseases. It covers key insect vectors in the orders: Diptera (mosquitoes, black flies, tsetse flies, sand flies, biting midges, horse flies, house flies, blow flies, flesh flies, and bot flies), Hemiptera (kissing bugs), Siphonaptera (fleas), Phthiraptera (lice), and noninsect orders: Arachnida (ticks and mites) and Crustacea (copepods). Each section details the taxonomy, morphology, life cycles, ecological roles, and disease transmission mechanisms of the vectors while emphasizing their public health and economic impacts. Notable diseases include malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, Lyme disease, and plague. The chapter also discusses and emphasizes the importance of integrated vector management interventions to limit population bionomics and linked pathogen transmissions. In summary, it underscores the need for ongoing research and coordinated efforts to reduce the global burden of arthropod-borne diseases.
Description
This paper directly supports UN SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Uganda’s NDP IV (which focuses on disease control and the development of human skills) by addressing the impact of insect-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and trypanosomiasis—common problems in Uganda. By explaining the types of disease-carrying insects, how diseases spread, and combined methods to control these insects, the paper offers proven ways to lower disease rates. This matches NDP IV’s goal of improving productivity through a healthier population. In the end, the research encourages lasting insect control, cutting deaths and economic losses, and helping improve national health security and move toward universal health care.
Keywords
Mosquitoes, Tsetse flies, Sand flies, Ticks, Fleas, Lice, Kissing bugs, Malaria, Dengue, Trypanosomiasis
Citation
Owino, E. A., Ajamma, Y. U., Mburu, D., Opoke, R., Opiro, R., & Dugassa, S. (2026). Management of insect and other arthropod parasites and vectors of human diseases. In Fundamentals of Entomology: A Faculty Manual (pp. 175-223). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.