This research cluster deals with the taxonomy, phylogenetics and biodiversity of mosquitoes, using both morphological and molecular techniques, and the insecticide resistance of mosquitoes. So far, we have recognized more than 20 new mosquito species in several countries, including Bhutan, Indonesia, Japan and Thailand. We believe that many hidden species are still waiting to be discovered everywhere.

          With regard to insecticide resistance, we are the pioneer group of researchers dealing with the insecticide resistance of mosquitoes in Thailand. We found that several species of mosquitoes are resistant to insecticides, determined by bioassays and molecular methods. This problem hampers the efficacy of mosquito control using insecticide-based methods. We were the first to describe the F1534C mutation, a novel mutation in the knockdown resistance (kdr) gene of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti, which is a major resistant mechanism against permethrin. Allele-specific PCR and real-time PCR techniques were successfully developed for detecting kdr mutations, which are useful for monitoring resistance allele frequency in wild mosquito populations at low cost. We were also the first to develop innovative methods for fighting against a wide range of species of insecticide resistance mosquitoes by using the residual spray with pyriproxyfen, an insect growth regulator which is normally used for controlling the larval stages. The methods have already been evaluated in the laboratory and small-scale in the field with satisfactory results. Evaluation of the impact on wild populations is ongoing. Moreover, the study of insecticide resistance is extended to house flies, fleas and ticks, which are nuisance pests and vectors transmitting pathogens to humans and animals.

1. Somboon P., Phanitchakun T., Namgay R., Harbach R.E. Review of the Mimeticus Subgroup of Culex (Culex) (Diptera: Culicidae), With an Assessment of the Specific Status of Three Nominal Species Described From India. Journal of medical entomology 2023;60;255-271;JIF 2.435: Q2.
2. Madang S., Saingamsook J., Saeung A., Somboon P. A Simple CO2 Generating System Incorporated with CDC Light Trap for Sampling Mosquito Vectors. Insects 2022;13;JIF 3.141: Q1.
3. Mashlawi A.M., Al-Nazawi A.M., Noureldin E.M., Alqahtani H., Mahyoub J.A., Saingamsook J., Debboun M., Kaddumukasa M., Al-Mekhlafi H.M., Walton C. Molecular analysis of knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene of Aedes aegypti populations from Saudi Arabia. Parasites and Vectors 2022;15;JIF 4.052: Q1.
4. Chamnanya S., Yanola J., Nachaiwieng W., Lumjuan N., Walton C., Somboon P. Novel real-time PCR assay detects widespread distribution of knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations associated with pyrethroid resistance in the mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, in Thailand. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 2022;186;JIF 4.996: Q1.
5. Wilkerson R.C., Somboon P., Harbach R.E. Reconsideration of the status of subspecies in the Japonicus Group of the subgenus Hulecoeteomyia Theobald of Aedes Meigen (Diptera: Culicidae). Zootaxa 2022;5162;198-200;JIF : 1.028: Q3.
6. Jariyapan N., Tippawangkosol P., Sor-Suwan S., Mano C., Yasanga T., Somboon P., Depaquit J., Siriyasatien P. Significance of eggshell morphology as an additional tool to distinguish species of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae). PLoS ONE 2022;17;JIF  3.752: Q2.
7. Chanmol W., Jariyapan N., Preativatanyou K., Mano C., Tippawangkosol P., Somboon P., Bates P.A. Stimulation of metacyclogenesis in Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis for mass production of metacyclic promastigotes. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 2022;12;JIF 6.073: Q1.
8. Somboon P., Phanitchakun T., Namgay R., Harbach R.E. The Anopheles baileyi species complex (Diptera: Culicidae: Anophelinae) in Bhutan. Acta Tropica 2022;226;JIF 3.222: Q2.
9. Somboon P., Phanitchakun T., Namgay R., Harbach R.E. The Anopheles lindesayi Species Complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in Bhutan. Journal of Medical Entomology 2022;59;1236-1251;JIF 2.435: Q2.
10. Somboon P., Namgay R., Harbach R.E. Uranotaenia (Pseudoficalbia) bhutanensis (Diptera: Culicidae), A New Species From Bhutan. Journal of Medical Entomology 2022;59;1303-1307;JIF 2.435: Q2.
11. Takaoka H., Namgay R., Somboon P. A new species and four newly recorded species of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) from bhutan. Tropical Biomedicine 2021;38;81-85;JIF 0.717 : Q4.
12. Somboon P., Phanitchakun T., Saingamsook J., Namgay R., Harbach R.E. Culex (culex) longitubus, a new species of the mimeticus subgroup (diptera: Culicidae) from Bhutan. Journal of Medical Entomology 2021;58;2196-2205;JIF 2.435: Q2.
13. Somboon P., Phanitchakun T., Saingamsook J., Yoshihide M., Namgay R., Harbach R.E. Culex bhutanensis, a new species of the Mimeticus Subgroup of the nominotypical subgenus of the genus Culex Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Bhutan. Acta Tropica 2021; 217;JIF 3.222: Q2.
14. Nachaiwieng W., Yanola J., Chamnanya S., Lumjuan N., Somboon P. Efficacy of five commercial household insecticide aerosol sprays against pyrethroid resistant Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in Thailand. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 2021;178;JIF 4.996: Q1.
15. Somboon P., Phanitchakun T., Saingamsook J., Namgay R., Harbach R.E. Reinertia, a New Subgenus of the Genus Aedes Meigen and Its Type Species Aedes (Reinertia) suffusus (Diptera: Culicidae), Newly Recorded from Bhutan. Journal of Medical Entomology 2021; 58;1138-1148;JIF 2.435: Q2.