87 - Progress and challenges for the Aedes aegypti (L.) sterile insect technique program on Captiva Island (Lee County, Florida)

Abstract: Lee County Mosquito Control District (LCMCD) founded a sterile insect technique (SIT) program in 2017. After years of entomological baseline collection and laboratory advances to mass rear Aedes aegypti, operational releases of sterile males began in June 2020. Suppression of wild Ae. aegypti was achieved in a pilot area on Captiva Island through consistent releases of sterile male Ae. aegypti. This success led to further expansion of releases to target wild populations of Ae. aegypti in new areas further south on the island. While the operational program of Ae. aegypti SIT has made progress in the advancement of field activities and releases, there were several factors that complicated these developments. Although these challenges played a significant part in the release capabilities, the SIT department proved to be resilient and recovered well enough to still observe impacts on the population of Ae. aegypti in the expanded release areas. This presentation will discuss the challenges and successes of maintaining an operational SIT program, our current status, and plans for the future