Release of chemosterilized males for the control of Anopheles albimanus in El Salvador. I. Characteristics of the test site and the natural population.

Abstract

Studies between 1968 and 1971 in the Apastepeque area of El Salvador revealed characteristics of a natural population of Anopheles albimanus which suggested that the site was suitable for a feasibility study of the chemosterilized male release technique for the control of a natural, isolated population of the species. The site is characterized by year-round anopheline breeding in an isolated 100-acre volcanic lake (Lake Apastepeque), augmented by rainy season breeding in a nearby pasture (Laguna Ciega). The dispersal of the adult mosquito population is restricted to an area of about 15 km2, being limited by blood and shelter sources. Densities of adult A. albimanus fluctuated in a repetitive and predictable seasonal pattern that resulted in the formulation of release schedules and evaluation methodology for field releases of sterile males during 1972.