Survivorship-Reducing Effect of Propylene Glycol on Vector Mosquito Populations and Its Potential Use in Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits

Abstract

Arthropod control mechanisms are a vital part of public health measures around the world as many insect species serve as vectors for devastating human diseases. Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is a widely distributed, medically important mosquito species that transmits viruses such as yellow fever, Dengue, and Zika. Many traditional control mechanisms have become less effective due to insecticide resistance or exhibit unwanted off-target effects, and, consequently, there is a need for novel solutions. The use of attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSBs) has increased in recent years, though the toxic elements are often harmful to humans and other vertebrates. Therefore, we are investigating propylene glycol, a substance that is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for human consumption. Using a series of feeding assays, we found that propylene glycol is highly toxic to Ae. aegypti adults and a single day of exposure significantly reduces the survivorship of test populations compared with controls. The effects are more pronounced in males, drastically reducing their survivorship after one day of consumption. Additionally, the consumption of propylene glycol reduced the survivorship of two prominent disease vectors: Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) and Culex pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758). These findings indicate that propylene glycol could be used as a safe and effective alternative to pesticides in an ATSB system.

Diols and sugar substitutes in attractive toxic sugar baits targetingAedes aegyptiandAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes

“…Mosquito Rearing: Larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus "McGregor" strains (Lindsley et al 2022) were reared in a laboratory growth chamber under standard conditions: 27 •C, 70% RH, 12:12 LD in distilled water and were provided ground koi fish food mixed with baker's yeast ad libitum. Pupae were collected and placed into cages (BugDorm-1; MegaView Sci.…”

“…albopictus , and Cu. pipiens under controlled laboratory conditions (Pullmann Lindsley et al . 2022).…”

“…To build upon our previous study (Lindsley et al 2022) and add to our understanding of alternative mosquito toxins for ATSB design, we tested a group of fourteen compounds, comprised of diols and sugar substitutes, in a series of feeding assays for toxicity to two disease vector species, Ae. aegypti and Ae.…”

Diols and sugar substitutes in attractive toxic sugar baits targeting Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes

“…aegypti , Ae. albopictus , and Culex pipiens under controlled laboratory conditions (Lindsley et al 2022). 1,2-propanediol is a generally-recognized-as-safe (GRAS) compound, meaning that it has been approved by the FDA for use in food and commercial products (Burdock and Carabin 2004, Steele et al 2016) and could be incorporated into ATSBs.…”

“…To build on our previous study (Lindsley et al 2022) and add to our understanding of alternative mosquito toxins for ATSB design, we tested a group of 14 compounds, comprised of diols and sugar substitutes, in a series of feeding assays for toxicity to 2 disease vector species, Ae. aegypti and Ae.…”