Abstract: Modifying the Standard Bottle Bioassay: Creative Solutions for Cielo®
The bottle bioassay is a reliable, simple and rapid surveillance tool for monitoring insecticide resistance to pyrethroid and organophosphate chemistries in local mosquito populations. However, as control products with new modes of actions (MOAs), new active ingredients, and new formulation science are developed for mosquito control, the bottle bioassay methodology and technique may need to be modified to remain the universal standard for mosquito control resistance screening.
For example, the standard bottle bioassay protocol of diluting an active ingredient in acetone, coating the test bottles, and then introducing mosquitoes after the bottles are dry does not lend itself to formulations featuring solid chemistries. One such active ingredient is imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid chemistry found in Cielo®, a space spray prequalified by WHO (PQT/VC Ref No.: 020-006) for use outside of the United States. As a solid chemistry, imidacloprid requires help from formulation design, including solvents and surfactants, to effectively penetrate a mosquito cuticle and deliver a lethal dose.
This presentation will highlight modifications developed to preserve the utility of the bottle bioassay as a resistance screening tool for Cielo and other next-generation mosquito control formulations. This presentation will also demonstrate the importance of bottle bioassay protocol refinements in support of responsible stewardship for emerging mode of action chemistries.
