Abstract
BackgroundTo develop an efficient sterile insect technique (SIT) programme, the number of sterile males to release, along with the spatial and temporal pattern of their release, has to be determined. Such parameters could be estimated from a reliable estimation of the wild population density (and its temporal variation) in the area to treat. Here, a series of mark-release-recapture experiments using laboratory-reared and field-derived Aedes albopictus males were carried out in Duparc, a selected pilot site for the future application of SIT in the north of La Reunion Island.MethodsThe dispersal, longevity of marked males and seasonal fluctuations in the population size of native mosquitoes were determined from the ratio of marked to unmarked males caught in mice-baited BG-Sentinel traps. The study was conducted during periods of declining population abundance (April), lowest abundance (September) and highest abundance (December).ResultsAccording to data collected in the first 4 days post-release, the Lincoln index estimated population size as quite variable, ranging from 5817 in April, to 639 in September and 5915 in December. Calculations of daily survival probability to 4 days after release for field and laboratory males were 0.91 and 0.98 in April, respectively, and 0.88 and 0.84 in September, respectively. The mean distance travelled (MDT) of released field males were 46 m, 67 m and 37 m for December, April and September experiments, respectively. For released laboratory males, the MDT was 65 m and 42 m in April and September, respectively.ConclusionsTheoretically, the most efficient release programme should be started in July/August when the mosquito population size is the lowest (c.600 wild males/ha relative to 5000 wild males estimated for December and April), with a weekly release of 6000 males/ha. The limited dispersal of Ae. albopictus males highlights the nessecity for the widespread release of sterile males over multiple sites and in a field setting to avoid topographical barriers and anthropogenic features that may block the migration of the released sterile male mosquitoes.
Highlights
To develop an efficient sterile insect technique (SIT) programme, the number of sterile males to release, along with the spatial and temporal pattern of their release, has to be determined
Unlike earlier studies [24, 25], the present study focuses on a pre-release comparison of the survival and dispersal ability of laboratory reared and field derived Ae. albopictus males in a candidate urban field site chosen for the pilot testing of sterile male release
An important utility of the results is to rationalize the release scenario by collecting, analyzing and interpreting relevant field data and by developing a release strategy that can help to effectively control Ae. albopictus population using SIT in Duparc, a candidate field selected for SIT testing in the North of La Reunion Island
Summary
To develop an efficient sterile insect technique (SIT) programme, the number of sterile males to release, along with the spatial and temporal pattern of their release, has to be determined. Such parameters could be estimated from a reliable estimation of the wild population density (and its temporal variation) in the area to treat. The tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is well adapted to domestic environments on La Reunion Island It has a wide range throughout most of the coastal areas in the island and is abundant compared to other species. The SIT is a biological control method used to control insect pests by releasing a large number of sterile males into the wild population. These sterile males will compete with wild fertile males to mate with females in the field and thereby reduce the fertility of the target population [10, 11]
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