VECTOR Library Category Definitions

Understanding the search categories and terms in the VECTOR Library to help you find exactly what you need

Library Categories

The VECTOR Library organizes information about vector-borne diseases into specific categories to help you find resources efficiently. Understanding these categories will help you narrow your search and find the most relevant information.

VECTR Library - Category Definitions

Educational Material Type

The VECTOR Library contains a wide variety of educational materials in different formats. Use this category to find specific types of resources:

Audio Recording/Podcast

Audio content that discusses vector-borne diseases, prevention methods, or related topics.

Blog

Online articles or posts that provide information, updates, or perspectives on vector-borne diseases.

Community Science Project

Participatory research initiatives that involve community members in collecting data or implementing vector control measures.

Course

Structured educational programs with multiple lessons on vector-borne disease topics.

Infographic

Visual representations of information or data related to vectors and vector-borne diseases.

Lesson Plans

Structured guides for teaching about vector-borne diseases in educational settings.

Pamphlet or Trifold

Print materials that can be folded into sections, providing concise information on vector-borne disease topics.

Pesticide Education/Certification

Materials for training on proper pesticide use for vector control, often for certification purposes.

Photographs

Images of vectors, disease symptoms, or control measures for educational purposes.

Popular Press Article

Articles in newspapers, magazines, or popular online media covering vector-borne disease topics.

Rack Card

Printed informational cards typically displayed in racks for public distribution.

Short Video

Brief video content providing information on vectors, diseases, or prevention methods.

Slide Deck/PPT Presentation

Presentation materials in slide format for educational or training purposes.

Social Media Post

Content created specifically for social media platforms to raise awareness about vector-borne diseases.

Social Media Short/TikTok Post

Brief content formatted for short-form video platforms.

Webinar Recording

Recorded online seminars or presentations on vector-borne disease topics.

Website

Complete websites dedicated to vector-borne disease information.

Website Article/Factsheet

Online articles or factsheets providing specific information on vector-borne disease topics.

Other

Educational materials that don't fit into the other defined categories.

Search Tip: When searching for educational materials, consider your preferred learning format. Visual learners might benefit from infographics or videos, while those who prefer text might choose factsheets or articles.

Vector Group

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted by different groups of arthropods. The VECTOR Library categorizes vectors into these main groups:

Biting Midges

Small flies in the genus Culicoides that can transmit viruses and parasites through their bites.

Also known as: No-see-ums, punkies

Deer Keds

Fly species that are ectoparasites primarily of deer but can occasionally bite humans.

Includes: Lipoptena cervi (European deer ked), Melophagus ovinus (Sheep ked)

Fleas

Small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds and can transmit diseases.

Includes: Cat fleas, dog fleas, human fleas, rat fleas

Kissing Bugs

Blood-feeding insects in the subfamily Triatominae that can transmit Chagas disease.

Also known as: Conenose bugs, assassin bugs, triatomine bugs

Lice

Small, wingless insects that live as ectoparasites on humans and other animals.

Includes: Head lice, body lice, pubic lice, cattle lice

Mosquitoes

Flying insects that feed on blood and can transmit numerous pathogens through their bites.

Includes: Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, and other genera

Multiple

Resources that address more than one vector group.

Sand Flies

Small flying insects that can transmit leishmaniasis and other diseases.

Includes: Lutzomyia species (New World sand flies)

Ticks

Arachnids that attach to hosts and feed on blood, potentially transmitting various pathogens.

Includes: Hard ticks (Ixodidae) and soft ticks (Argasidae)

Other

Vector groups not specifically categorized in the other groups.

Search Tip: When searching by vector group, you can narrow your results further by combining with geographic region, as different vector groups may be more prevalent in certain areas.

Vector Names

Species are listed by the Entomological Society of America common name or by the scientific name. Other common names are included for reference. If there are common names missing in English, Spanish, or another language, please reach out to us to add those to this quick reference table.

Group Scientific Name ESA Common Name Other Common Name(s)
Biting midge Culicoides sonorensis Biting midge, No-see-um
Flea Ctenocephalides canis dog flea
Flea Ctenocephalides felis cat flea
Flea Echidnophaga gallinacea Sticktight flea Stickfast flea, Hen flea, Poultry flea, Chicken flea
Flea Nosopsyllus fasciatus Northern rat flea
Flea Orchopeas howardi Squirrel flea
Flea Oropsylla montana Rock squirrel flea
Flea Pulex irritans Human flea
Flea Spilopsyllus cuniculi Rabbit flea, European rabbit flea
Flea Xenopsylla cheopis Oriental rat flea Plague flea, Rat flea
Ked Lipoptena cervi European deer ked, deer ked
Ked Lipoptena mazamae
Ked Melophagus ovinus Sheep ked
Ked Pseudolychia canariensis
Kissing bug Triatoma protracta Western bloodsucking conenose Western conenose bug, western conenose
Kissing bug Triatoma recurva
Kissing bug Triatoma rubida
Kissing bug Triatoma sanguisuga Bloodsucking conenose Eastern bloodsucking conenose
Louse Bovicola caprae Goat biting louse
Louse Bovicola crassipes Angora biting louse
Louse Bovicola limbatus
Louse Gliricola porcelli Slender guineapig louse Cavy lice
Louse Haematopinus eurysternus Shortnosed cattle louse
Louse Haematopinus suis Hog louse
Louse Linognathus africanus
Louse Linognathus stenopsis Goat sucking louse
Louse Bovicola limbatus
Louse Linognathus vituli Longnosed cattle louse
Louse Pediculus humanus capitis Head louse
Louse Pediculus humanus corporis Body louse
Louse Pthirus pubis Crab louse Pubic louse
Louse Solenoptes capillatus Little blue cattle louse
Mite Chorioptes bovis Chorioptic scab mite
Mite Demodex bovis Cattle follicle mite
Mite Dermanyssus gallinae Chicken mite
Mite Ornithonyssus sylviarum Northern fowl mite
Mosquito Aedes aegypti Yellow fever mosquito
Mosquito Aedes albopictus Asian tiger mosquito
Mosquito Aedes atlanticus
Mosquito Aedes bahamensis
Mosquito Aedes canadensis Woodland pool mosquito
Mosquito Aedes dorsalis Pale marsh mosquito
Mosquito Aedes hendersoni
Mosquito Aedes increpitus
Mosquito Aedes japonicus Asian rock pool mosquito
Mosquito Aedes melanimon Wetlands mosquito
Mosquito Aedes nigromaculis Irrigated-pasture mosquito
Mosquito Aedes notoscriptus Australian backyard mosquito
Mosquito Aedes pertinax
Mosquito Aedes scapularis
Mosquito Aedes sierrensis Western treehole mosquito
Mosquito Aedes sollicitans Saltmarsh mosquito Eastern saltmarsh mosquito
Mosquito Aedes squaminger California salt marsh mosquito
Mosquito Aedes taeniorhynchus Black salt marsh mosquito
Mosquito Aedes triseriatus Eastern treehole mosquito
Mosquito Aedes trivittatus Plains floodwater mosquito
Mosquito Aedes vexans Vexans mosquito Inland floodwater mosquito
Mosquito Anopheles freeborni Western malaria mosquito
Mosquito Anopheles gambiae African malaria mosquito
Mosquito Anopheles punctipennis Woodland malaria mosquito
Mosquito Anopheles quadrimaculatus Common malaria mosquito
Mosquito Anopheles stephensi Asian malaria mosquito
Mosquito Coquillettidia perturbans Cattail mosquito
Mosquito Culex biscaynensis
Mosquito Culex cedecei
Mosquito Culex coronator
Mosquito Culex erraticus
Mosquito Culex iolambdis
Mosquito Culex nigripalpus Florida SLE mosquito
Mosquito Culex pilosus
Mosquito Culex pipiens Northern house mosquito
Mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Southern house mosquito
Mosquito Culex restuans White-dotted mosquito
Mosquito Culex salinarius Unbanded saltmarsh mosquito
Mosquito Culex tarsalis Western encephalitis mosquito
Mosquito Culex territans Northern frog biting mosquito
Mosquito Culiseta alaskaensis
Mosquito Culiseta inornata Winter marsh mosquito
Mosquito Culiseta melanura Black-tailed mosquito
Mosquito Culiseta morsitans
Mosquito Deinocerites cancer Crabhole mosquito
Mosquito Haemagogus janthinomys
Mosquito Mansonia titillans
Mosquito Orthopodomyia alba
Mosquito Orthopodomyia signifera
Mosquito Psorophora ciliata Gallinipper
Mosquito Psorophora columbiae Dark ricefield mosquito
Mosquito Psorophora cyanescens
Mosquito Psorophora ferox White-footed woods mosquito
Mosquito Psoroptes bovis Psoroptic scab mite
Mosquito Sabethes cyaneus Iridescent paddle mosquito
Mosquito Toxorhynchites rutilus Elephant mosquito
Mosquito Uranotaenia sapphirina
Mosquito Wyeomyia mitchellii
Mosquito Myeomyia smithii
Mosquito Wyeomyia vanduzeei Bromelaid inhabiting mosquito
Sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis New World sand fly
Sand fly Lutzomyia shannoni
Tick Alectorobius kelleyi Bat tick
Tick Amblyomma americanum Lone star tick
Tick Amblyomma maculatum Gulf Coast tick
Tick Amblyomma variegatum Tropical bont tick
Tick Argas persicus Fowl tick
Tick Dermacentor albipictus Winter tick
Tick Dermacentor andersoni Rocky Mountain wood tick
Tick Dermacentor hunteri Big-horn sheep tick
Tick Dermacentor nitens Tropical horse tick
Tick Dermacentor occidentalis Pacific Coast tick
Tick Dermacentor similis Western dog tick
Tick Dermacentor variabilis American dog tick
Tick Haemaphysalis leporispalustris Rabbit tick
Tick Haemaphysalis longicornis Asian longhorned tick Longhorned tick
Tick Ixodes angustus
Tick Ixodes brunneus
Tick Ixodes cookei Woodchuck tick, Groundhog tick
Tick Ixodes dentatus Bird tick
Tick Ixodes gregsoni
Tick Ixodes holocyclus Australian paralysis tick
Tick Ixodes marxi Squirrel tick
Tick Ixodes muris Mouse tick
Tick Ixodes pacificus Western blacklegged tick Pacific blacklegged tick
Tick Ixodes scapularis Blacklegged tick Deer tick
Tick Ixodes uriae Seabird tick
Tick Ornithodoros coriaceus Pajaroello tick
Tick Ornithodoros hermsi Relapsing fever tick
Tick Ornithodoros parkeri
Tick Ornithodoros turicata Relapsing fever tick Turicata tick, Pajahuello, Talaja, Talajes, Tlalajas, Tlalajes, Turicatas
Tick Otobius megnini Ear tick Spinose ear tick
Tick Rhipicephalus annulatus Cattle tick Cattle fever tick
Tick Rhipicephalus microplus Southern cattle tick
Tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus Brown dog tick

Audience

Resources in the VECTOR Library are targeted to different audiences based on their needs and roles. Filter by audience to find materials relevant to your specific situation:

Agricultural Workers

People who work in farming, ranching, and other agricultural settings where vector exposure may occur.

Extension Professionals

Staff of Cooperative Extension Services who provide education and outreach to communities.

Gardeners

Individuals engaged in gardening activities who may be exposed to vectors in outdoor settings.

General Public

Materials designed for the broader public audience without specialized knowledge.

Livestock and Equine Caretakers

People who work with farm animals and horses that may be affected by vector-borne diseases.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hikers, campers, hunters, and others who engage in recreational activities in outdoor environments.

Parks and Recreation

Staff and managers of parks, recreational areas, and public spaces.

Pesticide Applicator

Professionals who apply pesticides for vector control.

Pet Caretaker

Pet owners and others who care for companion animals that may be affected by vector-borne diseases.

Public Health Professionals

Individuals working in public health departments, agencies, and organizations focused on disease prevention and control.

Veterinarian or Veterinary Professionals

Professionals involved in animal healthcare who may encounter vector-borne diseases in their practice.

Wildlife or Other Outdoor Workers

People who work with wildlife or in outdoor environments where vector exposure is common.

Youth

Educational materials specifically designed for children and adolescents.

Search Tip: Filtering by audience can help you find resources at the appropriate technical level and with content relevant to specific roles in vector-borne disease prevention and control.

Source Type

The VECTOR Library Database includes materials from three main source types, representing the three phases of our database development:

Cooperative Extension

Resources from Cooperative Extension services across the United States and U.S. Territories, focused on practical education and community outreach.

Examples: Extension fact sheets, Community education materials, Field guides

Public Health Agencies

Materials from federal, state, territorial, and local public health agencies providing official guidance and information.

Examples: CDC guidelines, State health department resources, Local health authority materials

Academic Sources

Resources from universities, research institutions, and scientific publications providing research findings and scholarly information.

Examples: Journal articles, University publications, Research reports

Search Tip: The source type can indicate the nature of the information provided. Cooperative Extension resources often focus on practical applications, public health agencies provide official guidance, and academic sources offer research findings and in-depth analysis.