Sanitary entomology and zoology

The Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “Giorgio Nicoli” (CAA) is a private company committed in developing new techniques for controlling blood-sucking arthropods and applying the most advanced integrated environment-friendly biological pest control technologies aimed to control mosquito populations in large scale territory. For years CAA representative have been members of the most important scientific associations in this sector:

Entomological Society of America
Society of Vector Ecology
American Mosquito Control Association
Società Italiana di Parassitologia
Centro Studi di Biologia Ambientale.

C.A.A. is also a founding member of the European Mosquito Control Association (EMCA).

Indigenous mosquitoes

Aedes albopictus

Other species

Activities for Indigenous mosquitoes

Standardised mapping of larval breeding sites and subsequent geographical data recording on Desktop GIS (QGIS 3.x open source);
Organisation of integrated biological mosquito control projects based primarily on territorial management systems, the use of selective larvicides with a low environmental impact (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) and predators (Gambusia holbrooki, Aphanius fasciatus);
Coordination, technical direction and scientific supervision in mosquito control campaigns over large areas, in collaboration with public authorities and service providers.
Consulting services to public authorities planning to issue calls for tenders, to aid them in formulating specifications for the provision of control services and supply of products;
Quality control of treatments performed by companies under public contract.
Assessment of mosquito control projects results using standardised adult monitoring systems and cost/benefit analyses;
Laboratory and field researches using new techniques and products with the aim of improving currently available control strategies;
Continuous maintainance of mosquito colonies in climate-controlled cells for experimental purposes, without the use of laboratory animals.

Activities on Aedes albopictus

(Asian Tiger mosquito)

Technical direction of control programs tailored on the local condition and requests;
Monitoring with standardized ovitraps and procedures;
Public awareness campaigns aimed at improving community participation;
Research activities on new products and techniques, including the Sterile Insect Technique.

Other species of public health concern

(sand flies, midges, ticks, cockroaches, flies and chironomids)

Technical and scientific support to local health authorities and municipalities in controlling household pests;
Research in the field of integrated biological pest control methods against flies in livestock farming;
Studies on the geographic distribution and evaluation of the sanitary risks related with the presence of sand flies, culicoids midge and ticks.