Abstract
Aedes aegypti, the Dengue and Zika vector, is a domestic mosquito that is difficult to control. The challenge lies in the mosquito’s preference to lay its eggs in cryptic habitats such as fence post openings, buckets and bird baths, cups. Additionally, current methods of control are labor-intensive. We employed the WALS strategy to evaluate the operational efficacy of applying VectoBac WDG using a truck-mounted mister to control local populations of Ae. aegypti in urban settings with difficult-to-reach larval mosquito habitats. Our study was conducted in Cortez (Manatee County), Florida, USA (27° 27’ N, 82° 40’ W). We selected two study sites, one untreated control (21.9 ha) and one treatment site (23.1 ha) where historical data have shown high populations of Ae. aegypti based on weekly ovitrap surveillance. Weekly BGs and ovitraps (10–15 traps/site) were deployed to monitor adult population dynamics. A total of 50 bioassay jars were placed in the field each afternoon of the Bti application (8 application events) at fixed locations to collect droplets and gauge efficacy. We found significant reduction in female adults (P = 0.0002) and landing rate counts (P = 0.0058) as a result of treatment. Larval bioassays during the eight applications confirmed Bti deposit in a variety of coverage types regardless of placement in the yards. WALS applications with a truck-mounted mister can be effective at reducing disease carrying mosquito populations in residential areas and can be implemented in an integrated vector management program.
Highlights
The incidence of infectious diseases is increasing as globalization and urbanization become more prominent driving the distribution of vectors and introduction of diseases to non-endemic areas [1,2,3]
The present study describes a large-scale field trial evaluating the operational efficacy of WALs strategy, applying VectoBac water-dispersible granule (WDG) with truck-mounted equipment (A1 Super Duty Mister) under an open-field setting as well as operational trials in urban and suburban locations to control local populations of Ae. aegypti
The objective of this study was to evaluate the operational efficacy of applying VectoBac WDG to reduce Ae. aegypti populations in one urban environment of Manatee County
Summary
The incidence of infectious diseases is increasing as globalization and urbanization become more prominent driving the distribution of vectors and introduction of diseases to non-endemic areas [1,2,3]. Exotic arthropod-borne viruses such as Dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) have had sporadic outbreaks throughout Florida causing largely febrile illness, some leading to severe complications [2, 4]. The lack of vaccines and effective antiviral treatments against these arboviruses and their diseases, emphasizes the need for integrated mosquito control to reduce transmission and disease outbreaks [1, 5]. The primary vectors, Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse, 1894) are challenging to control due to their exploitation of diverse and hidden receptacles or foliage as egg-laying sites [2].
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