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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #240598
Title: Behavioral response of Culex quinquefasciatus to DUET(TM) insecticide

Author
item Clark, Gary
item Allan, Sandra - Sandy
item COOPERBAND, MARIAM - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item JANY, WILLIAM - Clarke Mosquito Control

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2009
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: DuetTM insecticide contains the active ingredients prallethrin, sumithrin, and piperonyl butoxide. The excitatory effects of prallethrin reportedly cause resting mosquitoes to take flight and contact more droplets, thus improving insecticide efficacy. This premise was tested with female Culex quinquefasciatus using insecticide formulations that contained different combinations of these active ingredients. Ultra low volume (ULV) droplets were introduced into a wind tunnel. The response of individual resting mosquitoes was video recorded before, during, and after exposure, and behavior analyzed for excitation using behavioral analysis software. Mosquitoes exposed to insecticides moved faster when sprayed. Prallethrin produced increased flight activity during spray and sumithrin produced increased activity during the post-spray period. Mortality and the number and size of droplets on their bodies were also quantified, providing direct evidence between the volume of droplets and mortality.