Dispersal of Engineered Male Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes.

Peter Winskill,Margareth L Capurro,Andrew R Mckemey,Christl A Donnelly,Danilo O Carvalho,Luke Alphey,Charles Apperson

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0004156

Abstract

Background Aedes aegypti, the principal vector of dengue fever, have been genetically engineered for use in a sterile insect control programme. To improve our understanding of the dispersal ecology of mosquitoes and to inform appropriate release strategies of ‘genetically sterile’ male Aedes aegypti detailed knowledge of the dispersal ability of the released insects is needed.Methodology/Principal FindingsThe dispersal ability of released ‘genetically sterile’ male Aedes aegypti at a field site in Brazil has been estimated. Dispersal kernels embedded within a generalized linear model framework were used to analyse data collected from three large scale mark release recapture studies. The methodology has been applied to previously published dispersal data to compare the dispersal ability of ‘genetically sterile’ male Aedes aegypti in contrasting environments. We parameterised dispersal kernels and estimated the mean distance travelled for insects in Brazil: 52.8m (95% CI: 49.9m, 56.8m) and Malaysia: 58.0m (95% CI: 51.1m, 71.0m).Conclusions/SignificanceOur results provide specific, detailed estimates of the dispersal characteristics of released ‘genetically sterile’ male Aedes aegypti in the field. The comparative analysis indicates that despite differing environments and recapture rates, key features of the insects’ dispersal kernels are conserved across the two studies. The results can be used to inform both risk assessments and release programmes using ‘genetically sterile’ male Aedes aegypti.

Highlights

Dengue, an arbovirus, has seen recent re-emergence and spread on a global scale [1] and is responsible for an estimated 390 million infections annually [2]
In order to efficiently plan releases of these, individuals’ detailed knowledge of how they disperse in the field is required
We present an analysis of the dispersal of these engineered male Aedes aegypti using data from field experiments in Brazil

Summary

Introduction

An arbovirus, has seen recent re-emergence and spread on a global scale [1] and is responsible for an estimated 390 million infections annually [2]. The vector of dengue is the Aedes mosquito, with Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus responsible for the majority of disease transmission [3]. The release of ‘genetically sterile’ male Aedes mosquitoes has been demonstrated to be a valuable additional tool by which the vector can be controlled [4]. Understanding the ability of the released ‘genetically sterile’ insects to disperse, and their behaviour whilst doing so, is an important step in designing robust, efficient and effective releases. The principal vector of dengue fever, have been genetically engineered for use in a sterile insect control programme. To improve our understanding of the dispersal ecology of mosquitoes and to inform appropriate release strategies of ‘genetically sterile’ male Aedes aegypti detailed knowledge of the dispersal ability of the released insects is needed

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion