Aquatain AMF efficacy on juvenile mosquito stages in control of Culex pipiens complex and Aedes albopictus. Issue 2 (11th March 2020) - Kavran, Mihaela
Abstract: Aquatain ® mosquito formulation (AMF) is a silicone‐based monomolecular film, which has recently been approved for use in the European Union. The physical mode of action based on lowering water surface tension prevents mosquito larvae/pupae respiration. Additionally, AMF disables gravid females from landing on the water surface and obstructs the natural oviposition process. Due to multistage effects on mosquitoes, AMF could be a product of choice for defined water body and container breeders such as Culex pipiens L. complex, principal vector of West Nile virus in Europe, and the invasive Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (both Diptera: Culicidae), vector of dengue and chikungunya viruses. The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of AMF, to determine the susceptibility of the immature forms of C. pipiens and A. albopictus, and the persistence/longevity of the product to suppress the eclosion of adults. AMF achieved high mortality rates of juvenile A. albopictus and C. pipiens under laboratory conditions. However, in the field C. pipiens larvae showed higher susceptibility to AMF than A. albopictus . Pupae of the two mosquito species were highly susceptible to the presence of AMF. When C. pipiens juveniles were exposed to AMF in the wild, effects lasted for 21 days in densely covered water bodies and 56 days in water recipients with less vegetation. In both breeding sites, natural habitat and artificial water recipient, the two mosquito species with high impact on public health in Europe could successfully be suppressed by application of AMF (1 ml m −2 ). Abstract : Aquatain ® mosquito formulation (AMF) prevents respiration of mosquito larvae and pupae. Its multistage effects suggest that AMF could control surface water bodies against container breeders like Culex pipiens complex and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). AMF achieved high mortality rates of juvenile stages of both species under laboratory conditions. In the field C. pipiens larvae were more susceptible than A. albopictus . Pupae of both species were highly susceptible. In natural habitat and artificial water recipients, AMF could suppress both mosquitoes.