85 - Development of SIT as an IPM tool for the Control of Aedes aegypti

Abstract: Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have an increasing geographic range and their significant public health threat as a vector of Zika, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses is expanding. Control of its immature stages is difficult given the challenge in treating their cryptic development sites. Sterilization of insect pest populations through radiation using Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has been in use for controlling agricultural pests and has been available for mosquito control since the mid-1950s; however, SIT is not currently used by mosquito districts in the U.S. as a routine control method in Integrated Vector Management plans. We developed methods to sterilize male Ae. aegypti mosquitoes with radiation in a SIT program that can used by mosquito districts in the U.S. as a routine control method in Integrated Vector Management plans. We describe the program and present our findings on the feasibility and impact of deploying an SIT program for the control of Ae. aegypti.