Behavioral Responses of Two Dengue Virus Vectors,Aedes aegyptiandAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae), to DUET and its Components

Abstract

Ultralow volume droplets of DUET, prallethrin, and sumithrin at a sublethal dose were applied to unfed (nonbloodfed) and bloodfed female Aedes aegypti L. and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in a wind tunnel. Control spray droplets only contained inert ingredients. Individual mosquitoes were videotaped before, during, and after spraying and various behaviors analyzed. During the spray periods of all three pesticide treatments, mosquitoes spent a greater percentage of time moving, and the distance moved was greater than for mosquitoes in the control treatments. In the postspray period, the percent of time moving increased for mosquitoes exposed to all pesticide treatments compared with the controls. After treatment, all females spent more time walking compared with controls, with unfed Ae. aegypti females walking more after exposure to DUET and sumithrin than after exposure to prallethrin and the control. Pesticide exposure increased flying in both species. Sumithrin exposure increased activity and velocity of unfed mosquitoes more than bloodfed mosquitoes. DUET and sumithrin treatments enhanced activity of Ae. aegypti females more than Ae. albopictus females.

Droplet Characterization and Penetration of an Ultra-Low Volume Mosquito Adulticide Spray Targeting the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus, within Urban and Suburban Environments of Northeastern USA

“…We used a novel adulticide, DUET™ Dual-action Adulticide (Clarke Mosquito Control), which causes a benign agitation that potentially flushes mosquitoes from resting places and increasing contact with airborne droplets. [ 21 , 22 ] DUET adulticide combines the pyrethroids sumithrin (5%, 43.02 g Active Ingredient per L) and prallethrin (1%, 8.59 g AI per L) with the synergist piperonyl butoxide (5%, 43.02 g AI per L). Prallethrin induces an excitatory response at sublethal concentrations and exposes mosquitoes to lethal doses of airborne sumithrin and piperonyl butoxide.…”