INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY

Abstract:
The paper deals with the application of user-friendly programs in mosquito control. Identification of Indian anopheline mosquitoes in malaria control operations is a paramount importance. The WHO monograph which describes the taxonomic data in the form of a pictorial key is generally difficult to understand by a non-taxonomist. Expert system is a new dimension of Information Technology concerned with knowledge-based computer program, which can be used, in taxonomic studies. Utilizing the principles of ID3 algorithm, a novel rule- based system for the fast identification of 54 species of anopheline mosquitoes is developed and termed as ANOMOS. In order to understand the flight adaptation of different mosquitoes AEROD is developed for the rapid estimation of aerodynamic parameters. This program has several ideal features like calculation of wing beat frequency (both practical and theoretical), and rapid estimation of biophysical characters. The output of the program will help in studying the vectorial capacity and migratory behavior of the mosquitoes. The utility of probit analysis in the fields of entomology toxicology and biology is emphasized. PROBIT is user-friendly, menu-driven computer program developed for bioassay studies of mosquitoes. The data generated from the program will give an idea to estimate the lethal dose of a compound to be evaluated in the field conditions for the control of mosquitoes.