The Jakarta Post 7 Jan 10;
An unidentified species of mosquito has emerged as the number one enemy of farmers in the Riau regency of Inderagiri Hulu, as the insect has killed dozens of their cattle over the last month.
Local veterinarians have been unable to identify the type of the mosquito to find what caused the cattle’s deaths.
“We are still conducting a laboratory examination of the species,” head of the provincial husbandry agency Patrianov told Antara on Thursday.
He said the mosquito was most active at night, targeting mostly cows and goats.
“Local farmers have protected their cattle with mosquito nets, but to no avail,” Patrianov said.
There have been a few reports of chicken fatalities due to the mosquito, he added.
A resident, Ruli, said the mosquito bit humans, but caused no fatalities.
“But its bite causes more pain than common mosquitoes,” Ruli said.
