‘March 1977 :
Oo

Chief, Fnewetak Planning Group

n:

Medical Entomology Survey Officer

t:

Medical Entomological Surveillance of Enewetak Atoll

}

1. GENERAL:
as

(,

|
ACV

feo

(D

BEST COPY AVAILABLE

By the direction of DASG a medical entomological survey was conducted
on selected coral islets ot the Enewetax

Atoll to determine all real

.and potential entomological problems to be encountered during cleanup
operations,

Biologically and ecologically the islets are still evekying-and: represent

a fragile and unstable biological commnity.

higher animal life forms has been artificisl.

The introduction of
This situation has

allowed a number of species to inhabit the istets unchecked by natural

predation,

A variety of factors have successfully limited the tlc establishment
of various pests,
_

1)

Limited accessability of the islets.

2)

High winds.

3)

d.
2.

Limited land area, breeding sites, appropriate food sources and

harborage.

These factors have, for the most part, restricted the establishment
of medically important arthropoda on the islets.

MUTHODOLOGY:
a.

A total of 12 islets were selected for surveillance. Selection was

based on the following criteria:

1)

Size.

2)

Vegetation and structural harborage.

3)

Operational aspects related to cleanup mission,

_ 4)
5)

Information provided by Mid Pacific Marine Laboratory

Civilians and natives.

(MPML)

Information provided by engineers surveying various islets.

fentetesace,

Select target paragraph3