Does prior exposure to an insecticide alter the vector competence of dengue virus in Aedes aegypti?

On-Demand

Presenting Author(s)

RA

Robert L. Aldridge (he/him/his)

Biological Science Laboratory Technician
USDA-ARS
Gainesville, Florida

Co-Author(s)

BA

Barry W. Alto

Associate Professor
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory
Vero Beach, Florida
CC

C. Roxanne Connelly, BCE

Entomologist
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Fort Collins, Colorado
BO

Bernard Okech

University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
BS

Blair Siegfried

Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania
Kenneth J. Linthicum, BCE

Center Director
USDA-ARS
Gainesville, Florida

Control of Aedes aegypti L. is a way to control the transmission of pathogens dangerous to humans and animals. Larvicides are a common means of control of mosquito vectors. The effect of larvicides in relation to pathogen transmission is not well understood for previously exposed (to larvicide) Ae. aegypti infected with a pathogen, such as dengue virus (DENV). This research documents effects that 5 sublethal concentrations (LC50) of formulated larvicides have on the interaction between the pathogen and vector. We evaluated vector competence following exposure to sublethal concentrations of the 5 larvicides, and although there were significant differences between treatments (Altosid and Nyguard), there was no interaction between treatment and time (in days) after DENV exposure.