Effectiveness of ultra-low volume nighttime applications of an adulticide against diurnal Aedes albopictus, a critical vector of dengue and chikungunya viruses

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 7; no. 11; p. e49181
• Main Authors: Farajollahi, Ary, Healy, Sean P, Unlu, Isik, Gaugler, Randy, Fonseca, Dina M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 08.11.2012; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Aedes - pathogenicity; Aedes - physiology; Aedes - virology; Aedes aegypti; Aedes albopictus; Agricultural practices; Agriculture; Alphavirus Infections - transmission; Alphavirus Infections - virology; Animals; Aquatic insects; Asian tiger mosquito; Biology; Chikungunya Fever; Chikungunya virus; Chikungunya virus - pathogenicity; Control programs; Culicidae; Dengue; Dengue - transmission; Dengue - virology; Dengue fever; Dengue Virus - pathogenicity; Diptera; Disease; Disease control; Diurnal; Epidemics; Humans; Insect control; Insect Vectors; Insecticides; Integrated pest management; Medicine; Mosquito Control - methods; Mosquitoes; Night; Nighttime; Pest control; Pesticides - standards; Technology application; Tropical diseases; Urban areas; Vector-borne diseases; Viral diseases; Viruses; West Nile virus; United States > US
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049181

Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, continues expanding its geographic range and involvement in mosquito-borne diseases such as chikungunya and dengue. Vector control programs rarely attempt to suppress this diurnal species with an ultra-low volume (ULV) adulticide because for maximum efficacy applications are conducted at night. During 2009-2011 we performed experimental nighttime applications of a novel adulticide (DUET®) against field populations of Ae. albopictus within an urban site composed of approximately 1,000 parcels (home and yard) in northeastern USA. Dual applications at mid label rate of the adulticide spaced one or two days apart accomplished significantly higher control (85.0 ± 5.4% average reduction) than single full rate applications (73.0 ± 5.4%). Our results demonstrate that nighttime ULV adulticiding is effective in reducing Ae. albopictus abundance and highlight its potential for use as part of integrated pest management programs and during disease epidemics when reducing human illness is of paramount importance.