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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 #372044
Research Project: Integrated Pest Management of Mosquitoes and Biting Flies

Location: Mosquito and Fly Research

Title: Semi-field evaluation of ultra-low volume (ulv) ground spray of aqalure® 20-20 against irradiated aedes aegypti

Author
item ARYAPREMA, VINDHYA - Anastasia Mosquito Control District
item BLORE, KAI - Anastasia Mosquito Control District
item Aldridge, Robert
item KLINE, JEDIDIAH - Orise Fellow
item Linthicum, Kenneth - Ken
item XUE, RUI-DE - Anastasia Mosquito Control District

Submitted to: Journal of the Florida Mosquito Control Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/4/2021
Publication Date: 4/29/2021
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/7361615
Citation: Aryaprema, V.S., Blore, K., Aldridge, R.L., Kline, J., Linthicum, K., Xue, R. 2021. Semi-field evaluation of ultra-low volume (ulv) ground spray of aqalure® 20-20 against irradiated aedes aegypti. Journal of the Florida Mosquito Control Association. 68(1):63-69.

Interpretive Summary: Sterile insect technique (SIT), in which males sterilized with radiation are released to compete with wild males and control mosquitoes, is being evaluated in mosquito control programs. The optimal use of SIT in vector control should be within an integrated vector management (IVM) program, including the use of ultra-Low Volume (ULV) ground-spray of adulticides. We conducted small scale spray trials to determine the impact of ULV ground-spray of Aqualure® 20-20 pesticide on caged irradiated Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. We found that irradiated Ae. aegypti males and females were as susceptible to adulticide sprays as their non-irradiated counterparts, with the highest mean percent mortalities of both groups have been achieved within 24h post-treatment. We conclude that the simultaneous release of SIT mosquitoes and ULV sprays in an IVM program might not be compatible.

Technical Abstract: Sterile insect technique (SIT) using irradiated mosquitoes is an effective control method capable of being assimilated into integrated vector management (IVM) programs. Chemical control of mosquitoes using ultra-low volume (ULV) spray applications of pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides is already an essential component of IVM programs. Prior to their release in nature, irradiation of mosquitoes for SIT use can significantly impact the mosquito’s biology, specifically its host-seeking and feeding behavior. Little is known about how radiation exposure might impact a mosquito’s susceptibility to pyrethroid insecticides. The present study was carried out to evaluate the influence of Aqualuer® 20-20 ULV applications on irradiated Aedes aegypti. Caged mosquito trials indicated that both male and female irradiated Ae. aegypti were as susceptible as their non-irradiated counterparts of the same population to Aqualuer 20-20 ULV application, with the highest mean percent mortalities achieved at the first 24h post-treatment period at both 30.5 m and 61 m downwind of the spray application path.