Abstract
Recently, genetic strategies aimed at controlling populations of disease-vectoring mosquitoes have received considerable attention as alternatives to traditional measures. Theoretical studies have shown that female-killing (FK), antipathogen (AP), and reduce and replace (R&R) strategies can each decrease the number competent vectors. In this study, we utilize a mathematical model to evaluate impacts on competent Aedes aegypti populations of FK, AP, and R&R releases as well as hybrid strategies that result from combinations of these three approaches. We show that while the ordering of efficacy of these strategies depends upon population life history parameters, sex ratio of releases, and switch time in combination strategies, AP-only and R&R/AP releases typically lead to the greatest long-term reduction in competent vectors. R&R-only releases are often less effective at long-term reduction of competent vectors than AP-only releases or R&R/AP releases. Furthermore, the reduction in competent vectors caused by AP-only releases is easier to maintain than that caused by FK-only or R&R-only releases even when the AP gene confers a fitness cost. We discuss the roles that density dependence and inclusion of females play in the order of efficacy of the strategies. We anticipate that our results will provide added impetus to continue developing AP strategies.
Highlights
Because many insect-vectored diseases remain endemic despite implementation of traditional control measures, several novel genetic pest management (GPM) vector control strategies have been proposed to reduce vector capacity and transmission of pathogens (Whitten and Foster 1975; Hemingway et al 2006; Sinkins and Gould 2006)
We study the effects of different release scenarios on population dynamics as releases are occurring as well as the long-term impact on the competent vector population once releases conducted for a finite period of time come to an end
We present the density of competent vectors relative to the wild-type equilibrium density
Summary
Because many insect-vectored diseases remain endemic despite implementation of traditional control measures, several novel genetic pest management (GPM) vector control strategies have been proposed to reduce vector capacity and transmission of pathogens (Whitten and Foster 1975; Hemingway et al 2006; Sinkins and Gould 2006) These strategies have generally aimed to achieve either vector population reduction (Whitten 1969; Heinrich and Scott 2000; Thomas et al 2000; Gong et al 2005; Alphey et al 2010) or replacement (Davis et al 2001; Burt 2003; Hay et al 2010) via field release of engineered strains of the vector. Field cage tests of this same construct only resulted in some reduction in population density, suggesting a high fitness cost to the specific engineered strain in a tropical environment (Facchinelli et al 2013)
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