LESSON 1
INTRODUCTION TO ARTHROPOD CONTROL
Section I. IMPORTANCE OF ARTHROPOD CONTROL
1-1. GENERAL
a. There are many species of arthropod pests that seriously affect military
operations by spreading disease, reducing efficiency, and causing property losses. The
potential for loss of life and reduction in effective man-hours due to arthropod-borne
diseases such as malaria, typhus, dengue, encephalitis, filariasis, Rocky Mountain
spotted fever, tularemia, dysentery, cholera, and typhoid fever make an effective vector
control program imperative. Current integrated pest management (IPM) practices have
reduced the transmission of these diseases to the lowest point in military history;
however, only through a continuing program will this record be maintained.
b. Many arthropods, such as cockroaches, have three developmental stages:
the egg, the nymph, and the adult. Other arthropods, such as flies and mosquitoes,
have four developmental stages: the egg, the larva, the pupa, and the adult. Ticks and
mites also have four developmental stages referred to as the egg, the larva, the nymph,
and the adult. See Table 1-1.
c. An important characteristic of many arthropods is that the immature stages
(larvae and pupae or nymphs) have requirements different from those of the adults.
They must have sufficient food for their development. Unless the female arthropod lays
her eggs in a suitable place, the eggs will not hatch or the hatching larvae will have
insufficient food for their development. Thus, one key to effective arthropod control is to
make sure there are no places suitable for their growth.
1-2. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ARTHROPOD CONTROL
Responsibilities within the Army for various aspects of arthropod control are
defined in AR 40-5, AR 420-76, AR 40-574, and other directives.
a. Commanders. The commander at each level of command is responsible for
the enforcement of regulations, including those designed to protect personnel of his
command from animals which may be reservoirs or vectors of disease and which may
damage property, equipment, and supplies.
MD0171
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