Objective To formulate a catalogue of alien vectors and pathogenic organisms for early warning and effective prevention of alien species invasion. Methods The authors searched literature, online databases, and published catalogues for alien vectors and pathogens that can seriously threaten the health of human and animals and agricultural and ecological security. They were evaluated for the risk of invasion to China by using a suitable habitat prediction model and a comprehensive evaluation system of multiple indicators. Candidate species with the potential of invasion were included in this catalogue. Results A total of 304 alien species were screened out and listed in this catalogue for China, including 69 vectors and 235 pathogenic organisms. Among them, 275 species (47 vectors and 228 pathogens) had high probability of invading China. Conclusion This catalogue can be used as an early warning directory to prevent alien vectors and pathogenic organisms from invading China, which provides a reference for relevant departments to formulate preventive management strategies and measures.

Objective To assess the risk of Anopheles barbirostris invading China under future climate change scenarios, and to provide a basis for monitoring and early warning. Methods The maximum entropy model was used to predict the recent global potential distribution and project the future potential distribution of An. barbirostris in China. The main environmental factors affecting the distribution of An. barbirostris were analyzed based on the contribution rate of environmental factors. The vector risk assessment index system was established to calculate the comprehensive risk value of invasive species. Results A total of 99 effective distribution points of An. barbirostris were identified. The rainfall in September played a leading role in affecting the distribution of potential suitable areas of An. barbirostris. The omission rate of model training was roughly the same as the theoretical omission rate, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.988. Under the current climate scenario, the potential suitable areas of An. barbirostris in China were mainly in Guangdong province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Hainan province as well as the eastern Sichuan Basin. In 2081-2100, China has the largest potential suitable area (207.51×10 ⁴ km ²) under the shared socioeconomic pathway 585 climate scenario, and the area of suitable area will show an increasing trend under various climate scenarios. Through the risk assessment index system, it was calculated that the comprehensive risk value of An. barbirostris was 0.57, so An. barbirostris belonged to the medium-risk invasive species. Conclusions An. barbirostris is a species with a medium invasion risk. In the future, the mosquito vector surveillance system should be improved according to the distribution of its suitable areas, and scientific prevention and control strategies should be formulated.

Objective To determine the current and future suitable areas of Elizabethkingia anophelis, and to provide a reference for preventing its outbreak and spread in China. Methods With 21 pieces of information on the geographical distribution of E. anophelis and data on 56 climatic factors, a MaxEnt model was used to estimate the suitable areas of E. anophelis in the world and China. R 4.2.2 software was used to adjust model parameters, and construct the receiver operating characteristic curve. The area under the curve was calculated to evaluate the accuracy of the model. The results were visualized using ArcGIS 10.5 software. Results Annual precipitation (bio12, 27.0%) and the minimum temperature in January (tmin01, 22.2%) contributed most to the distribution of E. anophelis. Under current climatic conditions, the highly suitable areas for E. anophelis were mainly distributed in the southeastern United States, northern South America, western Europe, central Africa, and parts of southeastern Asia; in China, they were mainly distributed in the wet regions south of the Qinling-Huaihe Line. Under future climatic conditions, climate changes of varying intensities generally promoted the suitable areas of E. anophelis in the world and China, especially under high radiative forcing. Conclusions There are large suitable areas for E. anophelis in the world and China under both current and future climate conditions, which are expected to be promoted with the change of climate in the future. Authorities should take measures to control greenhouse gas emissions to limit the increase of E. anophelis’ suitable areas. Provinces with its highly suitable areas should strengthen surveillance, risk assessment and response.

Objective To observe the effect of feeding Aeromonas hydrophila on the transcriptome and metabolome of adult Culex pipiens pallens, and to further study the function of A. hydrophila. Methods Transcriptome and metabolome sequencing were performed on adult Cx. pipiens pallens fed with A. hydrophila and its control group, and a conjoint analysis was performed on the results of transcriptome and metabolome. Results A total of 305 differentially expressed genes were identified in the transcriptome. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the genes were mainly glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and protein metabolism pathways. A total of 575 differential metabolites were obtained in the metabolome, and functional enrichment analysis showed that the main metabolites were citric acid cycle and amino acid metabolism pathway. Conjoint analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome revealed that five pathways were co-enriched, which were glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, citric acid cycle, alanine, aspartic and glutamic acid metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism. The enrichment of citric acid cycle had the highest significance. Conclusions A. hydrophila can activate the glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism pathways of Cx. pipiens pallens, and provide essential energy, protein, and lipid for Cx. pipiens pallens.

Objective To determine the species and positive rate of Rickettsia carried by gamasid mites on the body surface of rodents in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Inner Mongolia), China, and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of local infectious diseases. Methods DNAs of gamasid mites on the body surface of rodents in different areas of Inner Mongolia were extracted, and the 17 kDa gene sequence was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The outer membrane protein A ( ompA) sequence was amplified for samples positive for the 17 kDa gene. The PCR products obtained by amplification were sequenced, and the phylogenetic tree was constructed after homology comparison between the sequencing results and the sequences from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, USA. Results Rickettsia was detected in 11 of 536 gamasid mites, and the total positive rate was 2.05%. The species of Rickettsia included R. heilongjiangensis, a sibling species of R. felis, and an unknown species of Rickettsia. Their host mites included Haemogamasus mandschuricus, Eulaelaps cricetuli, Hg. kitanoi, Haemolaelaps glasgowi, and deutonymphs of Parasitus sp ., with the positive rates of 8.89%, 3.39%, 2.22%, 0.68%, and 12.50%, respectively. The hosts that carried gamasid mites positive for Rickettsia included Spermophilus dauricus, Allactaga sibirica, and Lasiopodomys brandtii. Conclusion Gamasid mites on the body surface of rodents in Inner Mongolia carry a variety of Rickettsia, including the species that are human pathogen.

Objective To investigate the species and prevalence of viruses carried by sandfly specimens in Wuxiang county, Shanxi province, China. Methods Sandfly specimens were collected in Wuxiang county, Shanxi province in June 2018, and virus isolation was conducted using two cell lines of golden hamster kidney cells (BHK-21 cells) and Aedes albopictus egg cells (C6/36 cells) preserved in the laboratory. The positive isolate was subjected to viral RNA extraction and cDNA library preparation, followed by viral gene amplification, nucleotide sequence determination, and phylogenetic analysis. Results The SXWX1816-2 strain caused cytopathic effects in mammalian cells (BHK-21 cells), but no cytopathic effect in insect cells (C6/36 cells). The results of nucleotide sequence determination and analysis of the virus genome showed that the lengths of nucleotide sequences in the coding region of M and S genes of the virus were 4 089 and 1 611 nt; the results of nucleotide and amino acid sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis of M and S genes of the virus showed that the SXWX1816-2 strain belonged to the Phlebovirus genus from the Phenuiviridae family, which shared the highest homology and closest phylogenetic relationship with Wuxiang virus (WUXV) previously isolated in China. Conclusions This study clarifies the taxonomic status of the virus (SXWX1816-2) isolated from natural sandflies in China. The results provide important basic data for the research on viruses carried by blood-sucking insects in China, especially the virus carried and transmitted by sandflies.

In 2021, the national surveillance of rodent-borne pathogens of disease vectors had been started up, and a total of 123 prefectures were selected as national surveillance sites. Sampling was completed at 95 surveillance sites. A total of 17 910 rodent specimens were collected, and 16 891 of them were tested. The completion rate of pathogen detection was 94.31%. The overall infection rate of eight monitored rodent-borne pathogens around China was 2.43% (407/16 716) for Hantavirus, 0.02% (4/16 154) for Dabie bandavirus (i.e., severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus), 5.75% (624/10 850) for Leptospira interrogans, 0.11% (5/4 470) for Rickettsia mooseri, 0.05% (5/10 790) for Orientia tsutsugamushi, 2.39% (75/3 136) for Bartonella, and 0.04% (2/5 075) for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Francisella tularensis was not detected. More than ten species of rodents were found to be infected with different pathogens in 18 provinces across China. The infection rates of pathogens in rodents in southern regions were relatively high, and the positive rates of pathogens carried by various rodents differed. Rattus norvegicus and Apodemus agrarius were the species in which the most pathogens were detected.

Objective To analyze the policies,strategies,techniques,actions,and achievements in the surveillance and control of vectors and vector-borne diseases in China since 2012. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze and summarize the epidemiologic situation and challenges of vectors and vector-borne diseases,the surveillance of vectors,and the advances in the control of vectors and vector-borne diseases in China in the past ten years.The Mann-Kendall test was used to analyze the trend of the incidence rate of vector-borne diseases in the past decade using R 4.0.4 software. Results A series of policies,strategies,measures,and techniques were formulated and released for sustainable vector management in China in the past decade.The vector surveillance program in China had been continuously upgraded and improved,and a national vector surveillance network integrating ecology,etiology,and insecticide resistance had been established and improved.The number of national vector surveillance sites (1 097) in 2021 was increased by 54 times,and the funds input in national vector surveillance was increased by 127 times.Direct network reporting was realized for surveillance data,and there was a significant increase in the timely utilization rate of surveillance data,which provided better support for risk assessment,prediction and early warning,decision making,and control effect evaluation.The total annual incidence rate of vector-borne diseases in China in 2021(3.060/100 000) was reduced by 8.66% compared with that in 2007-2011(3.350/100 000),and the total annual mortality rate of vector-borne diseases in 2021(0.016/100 000) was reduced by 33.33% compared with that in 2007-2011(0.024/100 000).China had achieved the goal of malaria elimination and mitigated the accelerating increases in the incidence rates of dengue fever,scrub typhus,and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. Conclusion In 2012-2021,leapfrog development has been achieved for the policies,strategies,techniques,and actions for the surveillance and control of vectors and vector-borne diseases in China,and there are significant reductions in the incidence and mortality rates of vector-borne diseases.In view of the natural and social driving factors at present,the prevention and control of vectors and vector-borne diseases still face severe challenges,and therefore,it is urgent to further promote the strategies and measures for sustainable vector management,implement Global Vector Control Response 2017-2030,build proactive defense based on"reverse microbial etiology",so as to prevent and control major vector-borne diseases.

Objective To investigate the species of ticks and tick-borne viruses in Huanan county,Jiamusi city,Heilongjiang province,China. Methods Ticks were collected in Huanan in May 2020 and identified according to morphological keys.Real-time PCR was used to detect the RNA of viruses in the collected ticks,i.e.,tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV),severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV),Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV),Langat virus (LGTV),Powassan virus (POWV),and Alongshan virus (ALSV).High-throughput sequencing was used to obtain the genome sequences of detected viruses. Results A total of 890 ticks were collected,including 475 Ixodes persulcatus(210 males and 265 females),360 Dermacentor silvarum(260 males and 100 females),and 55 Haemaphysalis concinna(5 males and 50 females).One batch of tick specimens ( n=10;JMS20) was positive for TBEV,which was carried by female I. persulcatus.Other viruses were not detectable.Phylogenetic analysis showed that this TBEV strain was closely related to the Far Eastern subtype of TBEV. Conclusion Ticks in Jiamusi city still carry TBEV,and our results provide basic data for the prevention and control of tick-borne virus diseases in the region.

Objective To understand the infection and genotypes of Borrelia burgdorferi carried by free-living ticks in Arxan,Inner Mongolia,China,and to provide a basis for local prevention and control of Lyme disease. Methods From May 2020 to May 2021,the drag-flag method was used to collect free-living ticks in Arxan.Tick species were identified by morphology and specific 16S rDNA gene sequencing.Genomic DNA was extracted from 113 randomly selected ticks.Nested-PCR targeting the 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region was used to detect B.burgdorferi,and sequence analysis was performed to determine the genotypes of B.burgdorferi in ticks.The B.burgdorferi carried by 102 Ixodes persulcatus were isolated and cultured in BSK II medium.Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) was used to genotype the isolates. Results A total of 295 free-living ticks were collected,which were dominated by I. persulcatus(282/295,95.59%),followed by Dermacentor silvarum(13/295,4.41%).PCR detection of 113 ticks showed that 24 of 100 I. persulcatus carried B. burgdorferi,and the infection rate was 24.00%.Of these,17 were infected with B.garinii(17/24,70.83%),and 7 were infected with B.afzelii (7/24,29.17%). B.burgdorferi was not detected in 13 D.silvarum.Two strains of B. burgdorferi were isolated from the 102 I. persulcatus,which were identified as B. garinii through MLSA. Conclusion The free-living ticks in Arxan in May were dominated by I. persulcatus.The infection rate of B. burgdorferi in I. persulcatus was 24.00%,and the infection was caused by B. garinii and B. afzelii.Two B. garinii strains were isolated from ticks,which suggests that natural infection of spirochetes of Lyme disease was present in Arxan of Inner Mongolia.Local government should pay attention to the risk of B. burgdorferi infection as a causative agent of Lyme disease,monitor the populations,vector ticks,and hosts,and establish a system for the scientific prevention and control of Lyme disease.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the population densities of Meriones unguiculatus and its nest fleas and meteorological factors in M.unguiculatus plague foci in Hebei province,China. Methods The monitoring data of M.unguiculatus and its nest fleas in M.unguiculatus plague foci in Hebei province from 2001 to 2013,as well as meteorological data such as precipitation,temperature and humidity during the same period were collected.The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the flea infestation rate and flea index of nest fleas among groups by the density of M.unguiculatus (≥ 1.00 rodents/hm ² as high-risk group,0.21-0.99 rodents/hm ² as warning group,≤ 0.20 rodents/hm ² as standard group).Nest flea index were also compared among groups by total precipitation,average temperature,and average relative humidity (four groups each according to their interquartile ranges).Multiple correspondence analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between the density of M.unguiculatus,nest flea index,and meteorological factors. Results The flea infestation rate distribution was statistically different between different groups by total precipitation ( H=10.220, P=0.017),and when the precipitation was ≥ 426.00 mm,the flea infestation rate was highest.The nest flea index distribution statistically differed between those groups by total precipitation,average relative humidity,and M.unguiculatus density ( H=27.807,12.685,7.130,all P<0.05).When the precipitation was ≥ 426.00 mm,average relative humidity was ≥ 58.71%,and M.unguiculatus density was ≥ 1.00 rodents/hm ²,the nest flea index values were all highest,with statistical differences from those of the lowest groups ( t=4.722,2.999,2.504,all P<0.05).The multiple correspondence analysis showed strong associations of the flea index P _75-100 with the total precipitation P _50-75,the average relative humidity P _25-50,and M.unguiculatus density in the high-risk group,and strong associations of the flea index P _50-75 with the total precipitation P _75-100 and average relative humidity P _75-100. Conclusion Precipitation and M.unguiculatus density are important factors affecting the rodent nest flea index in M.unguiculatus plague foci in Hebei province.When determining the site,extent,and time of flea control,host density and meteorological conditions should be considered for precise flea control to prevent plague among rodents.

Objective To investigate the effect of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus endemic to China in controlling the larvae of Aedes albopictus, and to provide new ideas for biological control of mosquitos. Methods M. anguillicaudatus individuals were divided into two juvenile and adult groups. After weighing and fasting for 24 h, they were put into tanks with 100, 200, 400, and 1 000 larvae/basin. Gambusia affinis with the same weight was used as control group (multiple G. affinis fish with the same average weight as the two groups of M. anguillicaudatus were used). The numbers of larvae and pupa were counted at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 h to compare the ability to devour the larvae of Ae. albopictus between M. anguillicaudatus at different growth stages and between M. anguillicaudatus and G. affinis. Results Each juvenile M. anguillicaudatus devoured 984 larvae per day on average, while each adult M. anguillicaudatus devoured 647 larvae per day on average. With the same density of Ae. albopictus larvae, juvenile M. anguillicaudatus devoured more larvae than G. affinis of the same weight ( F=58.051, P<0.001), whereas adult M. anguillicaudatus devoured fewer larvae than G. affinis of the same weight ( F=23.162, P<0.001). A 7-day experiment was conducted with juvenile M. anguillicaudatus for continuous devouring of larvae. The results showed stable daily devouring of larvae in the short and medium term. There were no significant differences in the number of mosquito larvae devoured per day ( χ ²=2.650, P=0.266), and the number was significantly higher than that of G. affinis of the same weight ( χ ²=16.758, P=0.001). Conclusion M. anguillicaudatus has good ability to devour Ae. albopictus larvae, and can be used as a new method to control mosquito larvae in small water bodies in residential areas.

Objective To study the effect of sublethal dose of Aedes albopictus densovirus-7 (AalDV-7) infection on the deltamethrin resistance of Ae. albopictus. Methods The laboratory resistant strain of Ae. albopictus was established by applying deltamethrin insecticide to the laboratory susceptible strain. Ae. albopictus larvae were infected with a sublethal dose of AalDV-7 (10 ⁸ geq/ml). The half-lethal concentration (LC ₅₀) for larvae and the biological mortality of adult mosquitos in the infected and uninfected groups were determined using the resistance bioassay, and were compared by the t test and χ ² test using the SPSS 19.0 software, respectively. Results The laboratory strain of Ae. albopictus resistant to deltamethrin was successfully established after 15 consecutive generations of screening. After sublethal dose of AalDV-7 infection, the LC ₅₀ for larvae decreased from 0.030 0 mg/L to 0.018 5 mg/L (moderate resistance) ( t=12.521, P<0.001), and the biological mortality of adult mosquitoes increased from 65.7% to 78.1% ( χ ²=5.079, P=0.015), with the resistance level unchanged. Conclusion Sublethal dose of AalDV-7 infection reduces the deltamethrin resistance of Ae. albopictus larvae and acts as a synergist to some extent, providing a new theoretical basis and strategy for solving mosquito resistance.

Objective To investigate the Rickettsia infection and species of pet-dog-parasitizing ticks by the molecular biological technique. Methods Tick samples were collected from the body surfaces of pet dogs in pet centers in Wudang district, Guiyang, China from March to May 2021. Tick species identification and the polymerase chain reaction detection and genotyping of citrate synthase gene ( gltA) and outer membrane protein A gene ( ompA) of tick-borne Rickettsia were performed. Results A total of 133 ticks were collected from the body surfaces of pet dogs. The morphological characteristics and tick 16S rRNA amplification confirmed that all collected ticks were Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Rickettsia-specific ompA gene amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that R. sanguineus were infected with R. raoultii. Conclusion R. sanguineus is found to parasitize the body surfaces of pet dogs and be infected with R. raoultii, indicating a risk of Rickettsia infecting humans through pet-dog-parasitizing ticks. It is recommended for the local health authorities to make further assessment of the pathogenicity and public health risks of pet-dog-parasitized tick-borne Rickettsia.

Hantaviruses are important pathogenes of natural focal diseases that causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. According to the latest classification of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, hantaviruses can be divided into 53 species, 7 genera, and 4 subfamilies. Hantaviruses are widely found in Rodentia, Chiroptera, and Insectivora, and later also found in reptile, Actinopterygii, and Agnatha. There are many species of bats, which are the second largest group of mammals in the world after rodents. At present, 1 446 species have been reported, accounting for about 22% of global mammals. In addition, bats have strong flight ability and are widely distributed in all continents except Antarctica. As the host animal of viruses, bats bear a variety of viruses, and many emerging infectious pathogens such as Marburg virus, Hendra virus, and Nipah virus have been confirmed to come from bats. Bats have also been associated to Ebola virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In recent decades, more and more bat-borne hantaviruses have been discovered. Bats and bat-borne hantaviruses have an important research value. Therefore, this paper reviews the latest classification of Hantavirus and bat-borne hantaviruses.

Repellents can repel blood-sucking insects and reduce bites by affecting their olfactory system,thus preventing the occurrence of insect-borne diseases. Repellents are widely used because of their safety at the recommended dose. However,with the long-term accumulation of observation data,the toxicity cases caused by repellents have attracted extensive attention,such as toxic encephalopathy in children induced by diethyltoluamide and asthma-like allergic reaction induced by permethrin. Therefore,summarizing the long-term toxicity of repellents and deeply exploring the intrinsic mechanism provide a theoretical basis for the development of safer repellents and have an important scientific and application value. This paper reviews the latest progress of studies on safety events and mechanisms of currently applied major repellents, and considers the development trend and research direction of repellents.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infectious disease that is widely distributed in urban or peri-urban areas in the tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate zones worldwide and threatens the health of populations in more than 100 countries and regions. Global climate change, urbanization, and urban population growth have created favorable conditions for the spread of dengue fever virus. At present, due to a lack of vaccines applicable for mass vaccination, Aedes vector control is the main measure for the prevention and control of dengue fever, and accurate and timely risk prediction for dengue fever can provide an important basis for precise prevention and control, and decision-making. In recent years, the development of geospatial big data promotes the identification of the driving factors for dengue fever at different spatial and temporal scales, and the advances in artificial intelligence, especially the emergence of various deep learning networks, provide new techniques for the risk prediction of dengue fever. Through a comprehensive analysis of the various types of driving factors for dengue fever and their mechanism of action, geospatial big data, and artificial intelligence techniques, this article elaborates on the application of geospatial big data in identifying the driving factors for dengue fever from the aspects of urban land use, climate and environment conditions, and population movement, as well as the current status of the application of artificial intelligence algorithms in predicting the risk of dengue fever transmission. Based on the current research status of geospatial big data and artificial intelligence, it is proposed that future research should develop spatiotemporal risk predictive models at different spatial and temporal scales and the performance of such models should be evaluated in terms of the difference between predicted and true values, the spatiotemporal aggregation patterns of dengue fever, and the actual needs of dengue fever prevention and control.

Objective To investigate the basic concept of "rodent-borne diseases" suitable for national vector surveillance and the list of "rodent-borne diseases" in China. Methods Related keywords were used to search for the articles on "rodent-borne diseases" in the databases and websites of SinoMed,CNKI,Wanfang Data,Super Star Digital Library,PubMed,and Web of Science,and the definition of "rodent-borne diseases" was summarized to determine its concept and coverage. A total of 27 diseases were selected to form the list of major "rodent-borne diseases" in China for expert consultation. Results A total of 178 references were used to formulate the basic concept of "rodent-borne diseases" and its inclusion criteria,and 18 experts consulted all agreed to the concept of "rodent-borne diseases". The information table of "rodent-borne diseases" in China was developed, including 5 viral diseases,12 bacterial diseases, and 8 parasitic diseases. Conclusion "Rodent-borne diseases" are a group of infectious diseases that seriously affect human health,and its basic concept and inclusion conditions are proposed to provide a reference for the comprehensive surveillance of disease-related pathogens carried by rodents and promote the establishment of more perfect control strategies.

Objective To investigate differentially expressed miRNAs between male and female Aedes albopictus and their target mRNAs,explore miRNA-mRNA regulatory relationship in male and female Ae. albopictus,and predict the potential function of key genes, and to provide evidence for clarifying the regulatory mechanisms of sex differentiation of Ae. albopictus. Methods Through small RNA library construction and mRNA sequencing analysis,differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs between female and male Ae. albopictus were identified. Bioinformatic tools were used to predict the target mRNAs of the differentially expressed miRNAs. The miRNA-mRNA interaction networks were constructed using the overlapping results between the predicted target mRNAs and the sex differentially expressed mRNAs. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed on the target mRNAs of miRNAs to predict the possible functions of miRNAs. Results A total of 74 sex differentially expressed miRNAs were screened out,including 8 sex-specific miRNAs. A total of 470 female-specific miRNA-mRNA pairs (down-regulated miRNAs,up-regulated mRNAs) and 481 male-specific miRNA-mRNA pairs (up-regulated miRNAs,down-regulated mRNAs) were acquired. The interaction network and functional enrichment analyses determined 4 mRNAs associated with the sex differentiation and reproduction of Ae. albopictus and 17 miRNAs that directly regulated these mRNAs. Conclusion We constructed sex differentially expressed miRNA-mRNA interaction networks of Ae. albopictus,and acquired 17 miRNAs and 4 mRNAs that were related to sex differentiation, laying the foundation for further research on the role of miRNAs in regulating the sex differentiation of Ae. albopictus.

Objective To project the suitable region in China for Amblyomma maculatum distribution and the grade of the region through analysis of climatic environmental factors and the distribution of A. maculatum, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of invasive species. Methods The collated distribution data, combined with environmental data provided by WorldClim, were collected to project the suitable region of A. maculatum using the ecological niche model based on the genetic algorithm for rule-set prediction(GARP). SPSS 25.0 software was used to perform the one-sided Chi-square test, plot the receiver operating characteristic curve, and calculate the area under the curve (AUC) to validate the model. Results A total of 11 environmental factors were included in the model through screening. The AUC of the model was 0.927, suggesting good predictive ability of the model. The potential suitable regions of A. maculatum in China were located in South China, East China, and Central China. The high, middle and low suitable habitats are distributed from southeast to northwest, and the farthest reaches Sichuan, Shaanxi, Shanxi and northern Hebei. Conclusion The GARP ecological niche model is more reliable in projecting the suitable region of A. maculatum. There are a lot of suitable regions in China, and the relevant departments should carry out targeted prevention.