Research Accomplishment Reports 2009

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Biology, Ecology & Management of Emerging Disease Vectors

S.L. Dobson
Department of Entomology

 

Non-Technical Summary

Outputs:

Development of an integrated control strategy and specific recommendations for area-wide control of the Asian tiger mosquito.

Development of models that predict risk for key mosquito-borne diseases.

Assess the feasibility of initiating large field cage experiments on the sterile insect technique.

Outcomes or Projected Impacts:

An interactive and interdependent network of scientific expertise to deal with new mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.

Impact on the general public by understanding, assessing, and mitigating the threat posed by mosquitoes of public health importance.

Enhanced capacity to detect and predict outbreaks of vectors and associated diseases.

Provide for and encourage environmentally sound, scientifically based, and professional control by mosquito control agencies.

2009 Project Description

We have completed initial investigations of dispersal and survival of marked male Aedes albopictus in the field using MRR experiments. Additional effort will be devoted to comparing marking methods for persistence in the field and potential impacts on male survivorship and dispersal. Comparisons of longevity, dispersal rate and survivorship will be used to determine the advantages/disadvantages with the differing approaches. The experimental design (e.g. collection times, types of habitat) and mathematical interpretation of results will be coordinated with other participants. Pending appropriate regulatory approval, males infected with differing Wolbachia infection types may also be compared using the developed approaches. A large greenhouse mesocosm has been used to examine a Wolbachia-based microbial biopesticide approach against Ae. albopictus. Additional tests will be to compare the percent 'incompatibly mated' females with the percent incompatible males will allow assessment of male competitiveness for mates.

2009 Impact

Development of an integrated control strategy and specific recommendations for area-wide control of the Asian tiger mosquito.

Assess the feasibility of initiating large field cage experiments on the sterile insect technique.

Provide for and encourage environmentally sound, scientifically based, and professional control by mosquito control agencies.