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Gato R, Menéndez Z, Rodríguez M, Gutiérrez-Bugallo G, Del Carmen Marquetti M. Advancing the art of mosquito control: the journey of the sterile insect technique against Aedes aegypti in Cuba. Infect Dis Poverty 2024; 13:61. [PMID: 39198869 PMCID: PMC11360771 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-024-01224-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, poses a significant public health threat worldwide. Traditional control methods using insecticides are increasingly challenged by resistance and environmental concerns. The sterile insect technique (SIT) offers an eco-friendly alternative that has been successfully applied to other insect pests. This article aims to briefly review Ae. aegypti management in Cuba, highlighting the accomplishments, challenges, and future directions of the SIT. MAIN BODY Here we provide a brief summary of the extensive history of Ae. aegypti control efforts in Cuba. After a successful eradication campaign in the 1980s, a resurgence of dengue cases has been observed in recent years, suggesting that traditional control methods may have limited effectiveness under current conditions. In response, Cuba initiated a phased approach to develop and evaluate the feasibility of SIT for Ae. aegypti control, starting in 2008. Initial research focused on Ae. aegypti mating behavior and sterilization methods, followed by successful laboratory and semi-field trials that demonstrated population suppression. The first open-field trial in 2020 confirmed the efficacy of the SIT in reducing Ae. aegypti populations under real-world conditions. Currently, the research is in a phase involving a cluster-randomized superiority-controlled trial. This planned trial will compare the standard vector control program with the same program augmented by the SIT, aiming to assess the impact of the SIT on dengue incidence as the primary outcome. Implementing robust epidemiological trials to evaluate the effectiveness of the SIT is complex due to potential spillover effects from mosquito and human movement across study areas. Additionally, conducting the SIT requires significant development and operational investments. Despite these challenges, the ongoing Cuban trial holds promise for establishing the SIT as an effective and sustainable tool for Ae. aegypti control and for reducing the burden of mosquito-borne diseases. CONCLUSIONS The phased evaluation conducted in Cuba confirms the efficacy of the SIT against Ae. aegypti, highlighting its potential for sustainable mosquito-borne disease management. The effective implementation of multi-site trials will be crucial in providing evidence of the potential of the sterile insect technique as part of a strategy to reduce the incidence of arboviral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Gato
- Sterile Insect Technique Laboratory, Department of Vector Control, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, Havana, Cuba.
| | - Zulema Menéndez
- Sterile Insect Technique Laboratory, Department of Vector Control, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, Havana, Cuba
| | - Misladys Rodríguez
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, Havana, Cuba
| | - Gladys Gutiérrez-Bugallo
- Toxicology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Vector Control, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, Havana, Cuba
| | - María Del Carmen Marquetti
- Ecology Laboratory, Department of Vector Control, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, Havana, Cuba
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Trefry SV, Aldridge RL, Sprague TR, Lowen RG, Erasmus JH, Pitt ML, Hahn DA, Nasar F, Gibson S, Linthicum KJ. Gamma-Irradiated Female Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Exhibit Greater Susceptibility to Mayaro Virus. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 111:421-428. [PMID: 38917780 PMCID: PMC11310611 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an alphavirus endemic in many parts of Central and South America transmitted to humans by Aedes aegypti. Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment of Mayaro infection, and therefore it is essential to control transmission by reducing populations of Ae. aegypti. Unfortunately, Ae. aegypti are extremely difficult to control with traditional integrated vector management (IVM) because of factors such as growing resistance to a dwindling list of registered insecticides and cryptic immature and adult habitats. The sterile insect technique (SIT) by irradiation is gaining traction as a novel supplemental tool to IVM. The SIT is being used operationally to release large numbers of sterilized colony-reared male mosquitoes in an intervention area to overwhelm females in the natural population, eventually causing population decline because of high frequencies of unfertilized eggs. However, little is known about the effect of irradiation on vector competence for mosquito-borne viruses such as MAYV in females that may be accidentally reared, irradiated, and released alongside males. In this investigation, we exposed female Ae. aegypti pupae to radiation and evaluated vector competence after inoculation with MAYV. Infection and dissemination rates of irradiated (10 and 40 Gy) Ae. aegypti were higher than those of non-irradiated cohorts at 7 and 14 days after infection. Although these results indicate a need to maintain effective sex sorting prior to irradiation and release of Ae. aegypti, our results are consistent with several previous observations that vectorial capacity and vector competence are likely lower in irradiated than in nonirradiated females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie V. Trefry
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Robert L. Aldridge
- Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Thomas R. Sprague
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland
- BioFactura Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Robert G. Lowen
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Jesse H. Erasmus
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Margaret L. Pitt
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Daniel A. Hahn
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Farooq Nasar
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Seth Gibson
- Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kenneth J. Linthicum
- Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Gainesville, Florida
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Gong JT, Mamai W, Wang X, Zhu J, Li Y, Liu J, Tang Q, Huang Y, Zhang J, Zhou J, Maiga H, Somda NSB, Martina C, Kotla SS, Wallner T, Bouyer J, Xi Z. Upscaling the production of sterile male mosquitoes with an automated pupa sex sorter. Sci Robot 2024; 9:eadj6261. [PMID: 39083578 DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adj6261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Effective mosquito population suppression has been repeatedly demonstrated in field trials through the release of male mosquitoes to induce sterile mating with wild females using the incompatible insect technique (IIT), the sterile insect technique (SIT), or their combination. However, upscaling these techniques requires a highly efficient and scalable approach for the sex separation of mass-reared mosquitoes to minimize the unintentional release of females, which can lead to either population replacement or biting nuisance, a major bottleneck up to now. Here, we report the successful development of an automated mosquito pupa sex sorter that can effectively separate large numbers of males from females for population suppression of Aedes aegypti, A. albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus. The male production capacity of the automated sex sorter was increased by ~17-fold compared with manual sex separation with the Fay-Morlan sorter and enabled one person to separate 16 million males per week. With ~0.5% female contamination, the produced males exhibited high flight ability and mating performance. The field trial demonstrates that the quality of A. albopictus males produced using the automated sex sorter is suitable for inducing population suppression. These results indicate that the automated sex sorter offers the potential to upscale IIT and SIT against mosquito vectors for disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Tao Gong
- Guangzhou Wolbaki Biotech Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Wadaka Mamai
- Insect Pest Control Sub-programme, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
- Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement (IRAD), Yaoundé, Cameroun
| | - Xiaohua Wang
- Guangzhou Wolbaki Biotech Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Zhu
- Guangzhou Wolbaki Biotech Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongjun Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Julian Liu
- Guangzhou Wolbaki Biotech Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Qixian Tang
- Guangzhou Wolbaki Biotech Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanhui Huang
- Guangzhou Wolbaki Biotech Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Jixin Zhang
- Guangzhou Wolbaki Biotech Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiayi Zhou
- Guangzhou Wolbaki Biotech Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Hamidou Maiga
- Insect Pest Control Sub-programme, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale de l'Ouest (IRSS-DRO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Nanwintoum Séverin Bimbilé Somda
- Insect Pest Control Sub-programme, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Science et Technologie (UFR/ST), Université Norbert ZONGO (UNZ), Koudougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Claudia Martina
- Insect Pest Control Sub-programme, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simran Singh Kotla
- Insect Pest Control Sub-programme, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Wallner
- Insect Pest Control Sub-programme, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jérémy Bouyer
- Insect Pest Control Sub-programme, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
- ASTRE, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, University of Montpellier, Plateforme Technologique CYROI, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Zhiyong Xi
- Guangzhou Wolbaki Biotech Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Naidoo K, Oliver SV. Gene drives: an alternative approach to malaria control? Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41434-024-00468-8. [PMID: 39039203 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-024-00468-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Genetic modification for the control of mosquitoes is frequently touted as a solution for a variety of vector-borne diseases. There has been some success using non-insecticidal methods like sterile or incompatible insect techniques to control arbovirus diseases. However, control by genetic modifications to reduce mosquito populations or create mosquitoes that are refractory to infection with pathogens are less developed. The advent of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene drives may advance this mechanism of control. In this review, use and progress of gene drives for vector control, particularly for malaria, is discussed. A brief history of population suppression and replacement gene drives in mosquitoes, rapid advancement of the field over the last decade and how genetic modification fits into the current scope of vector control are described. Mechanisms of alternative vector control by genetic modification to modulate mosquitoes' immune responses and anti-parasite effector molecules as part of a combinational strategy to combat malaria are considered. Finally, the limitations and ethics of using gene drives for mosquito control are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kubendran Naidoo
- SAMRC/Wits Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Shüné V Oliver
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Diouf EG, Brévault T, Ndiaye S, Piou C. Exploration of the potential of a boosted sterile insect technique to control fruit flies in mango orchards. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38923745 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An innovative version of the sterile insect technique (SIT) for pest control, called boosted SIT, relies on the use of sterile males coated with a biocide to control a target wild pest population of the same species. The objective of the present study was to assess the relevance of such technology to control the fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis and fruit losses in mango orchards using. An agent-based simulation model named BOOSTIT was used to explore the reduction of fruit losses thank to sterile male fruit flies control and economic benefits according to different strategies of sterile male release. The simulation considered a landscape of 30.25 ha made up of four mango orchards. RESULTS The SIT and the boosted SIT reduced fruit losses when releases were made before the mango fruiting period. According to model simulations, releases should be performed at least seven times at 2-week intervals and with a sterile/wild male ratio of at least 10:1. Considering the benefit/cost ratio (BCR), few releases should be done with a late start date. The BCR showed economic gains from the two control methods, the number of saved fruits and BCR being higher for SIT. CONCLUSION Our simulations showed that SIT would have better results than the boosted SIT to contribute to an effective control of Bactrocera dorsalis at the scale of a small landscape. We highlight the need for laboratory studies of other types of pathogen to find a suitable one with higher incubation time and lower cost. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Gnilane Diouf
- Bios Department, CIRAD, UMR CBGP, Montpellier, France
- Bios Department, CBGP, CIRAD, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier Univ, Montpellier, France
- ENSA, Université Iba Der Thiam, Thiès, Senegal
| | - Thierry Brévault
- Persyst Department, CIRAD, UPR AIDA, BIOPASS, Centre de Recherche ISRA-IRD, Dakar, Senegal
- AIDA, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Cyril Piou
- Bios Department, CIRAD, UMR CBGP, Montpellier, France
- Bios Department, CBGP, CIRAD, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier Univ, Montpellier, France
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6
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Bidi KA. Feedback stabilization and observer design for sterile insect technique models. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2024; 21:6263-6288. [PMID: 39176426 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2024274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
This paper focuses on the feedback global stabilization and observer construction for a sterile insect technique model. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is one of the most ecological methods for controlling insect pests responsible for worldwide crop destruction and disease transmission. In this work, we construct a feedback law that globally asymptotically stabilizes an SIT model at extinction equilibrium. Since the application of this type of control requires the measurement of different states of the target insect population, and, in practice, some states are more difficult or more expensive to measure than others, it is important to know how to construct a state estimator, which from a few well-chosen measured states, estimates the other ones, as the one we build in the second part of our work. In the last part of our work, we show that we can apply the feedback control with estimated states to stabilize the full system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kala Agbo Bidi
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Université Paris-Cité, Laboratoire Jacques-Louis Lions, LJLL, INRIA équipe CAGE, Paris F-75005, France
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Lim JT, Bansal S, Chong CS, Dickens B, Ng Y, Deng L, Lee C, Tan LY, Chain G, Ma P, Sim S, Tan CH, Cook AR, Ng LC. Efficacy of Wolbachia-mediated sterility to reduce the incidence of dengue: a synthetic control study in Singapore. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024; 5:e422-e432. [PMID: 38342109 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00397-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the absence of available therapeutics and good vaccines, vector control solutions are needed to mitigate the spread of dengue. Matings between male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with the wAlbB strain of Wolbachia and wildtype females yield non-viable eggs. We evaluated the efficacy of releasing wAlbB-infected A aegypti male mosquitoes to suppress dengue incidence. METHODS In this synthetic control study, we conducted large-scale field trials in Singapore involving release of wAlbB-infected A aegypti male mosquitoes for dengue control via vector population suppression, from epidemiological week (EW) 27, 2018, to EW 26, 2022. We selected two large towns (Yishun and Tampines) to adopt an expanding release strategy and two smaller towns (Bukit Batok and Choa Chu Kang) to adopt a targeted-release approach. Releases were conducted two times a week in high-rise public housing estates. All intervention and control locations practised the same baseline dengue control protocol. The main outcome was weekly dengue incidence rate caused by any dengue virus serotype. We used incidence data collected by the Singapore Ministry of Health to assess the efficacy of the interventions. To compare interventions, we used the synthetic control method to generate appropriate counterfactuals for the intervention towns using a weighted combination of 30 control towns between EW 1, 2014 and EW 26, 2022. FINDINGS Our study comprised an at-risk population of 607 872 individuals living in intervention sites and 3 894 544 individuals living in control sites. Interventions demonstrated up to 77·28% (121/156, 95% CI 75·81-78·58) intervention efficacy despite incomplete coverage across all towns until EW 26, 2022. Intervention efficacies increased as release coverage increased across all intervention sites. Releases led to 2242 (95% CI 2092-2391) fewer cases per 100 000 people in intervention sites during the study period. Secondary analysis showed that these intervention effects were replicated across all age groups and both sexes for intervention sites. INTERPRETATION Our results demonstrated the potential of Wolbachia-mediated incompatible insect technique for strengthening dengue control in tropical cities, where dengue burden is the greatest. FUNDING Singapore Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Sustainability, and the National Environment Agency, and the Singapore National Robotics Program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jue Tao Lim
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
| | - Somya Bansal
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Chee Seng Chong
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
| | - Borame Dickens
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Youming Ng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
| | - Lu Deng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
| | - Caleb Lee
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
| | - Li Yun Tan
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
| | - Grace Chain
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
| | - Pei Ma
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Shuzhen Sim
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
| | - Cheong Huat Tan
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
| | - Alex R Cook
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Lee Ching Ng
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore.
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Mamai W, Bueno-Masso O, Wallner T, Nikièma SA, Meletiou S, Deng L, Balestrino F, Yamada H, Bouyer J. Efficiency assessment of a novel automatic mosquito pupae sex separation system in support of area-wide male-based release strategies. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9170. [PMID: 38649700 PMCID: PMC11035561 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58067-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study provides a comparative analysis of two state-of-the-art automatic mosquito pupae sex sorters currently available: the ORINNO and the WOLBAKI Biotech pupae sex separation systems, which both exploit the sexual size dimorphism of pupae. In Aedes aegypti, the WOLBAKI sex sorter and the ORINNO with a sieve mesh size of 1.050 mm achieved sex separation with female contamination rates below 1%, low pupae mortality rates and high male flight capacity. However, in Ae. albopictus, there was more variability, with female contamination rates above the 1% threshold and pupae mortality reaching 27% when using the ORINNO sorter. On the other hand, the WOLBAKI sorter achieved a male pupae recovery of 47.99 ± 8.81% and 50.91 ± 11.77% in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, respectively, while the ORINNO sorter with a smaller sieve size achieved male pupae recoveries of 38.08 ± 9.69% and 40.16 ± 2.73% in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, respectively. This study provides valuable information for researchers and practitioners in the field, assisting in the selection of the most suitable system for mosquito control, management and research programs depending on their specific requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Mamai
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria.
- Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement (IRAD), Yaoundé, Cameroun.
| | - O Bueno-Masso
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - T Wallner
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - S A Nikièma
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Direction Régionale de l'Ouest (IRSS/DRO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - S Meletiou
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
- Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - L Deng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - F Balestrino
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - H Yamada
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
| | - J Bouyer
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE CIRAD-INRA "Animals, Health, Territories, Risks and Ecosystems", Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398, Montpellier Cedex 05, France
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Balatsos G, Karras V, Puggioli A, Balestrino F, Bellini R, Papachristos DP, Milonas PG, Papadopoulos NT, Malfacini M, Carrieri M, Kapranas A, Mamai W, Mastronikolos G, Lytra I, Bouyer J, Michaelakis A. Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) field trial targeting the suppression of Aedes albopictus in Greece. Parasite 2024; 31:17. [PMID: 38530210 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The sterile insect technique (SIT) involves releasing large numbers of sterile males to outcompete wild males in mating with females, leading to a decline in pest populations. In the current study, we conducted a suppression trial in Greece against the invasive dengue vector mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) through the weekly release of sterile males for 22 weeks from June to September 2019. Our approach included the long-distance transport of sterile mosquitoes, and their release at a density of 2,547 ± 159 sterile males per hectare per week as part of an area-wide integrated pest management strategy (AW-IPM). The repeated releases of sterile males resulted in a gradual reduction in egg density, reaching 78% from mid-June to early September. This reduction remained between 70% and 78% for four weeks after the end of the releases. Additionally, in the SIT intervention area, the ovitrap index, representing the percentage of traps containing eggs, remained lower throughout the trial than in the control area. This trial represents a significant advance in the field of mosquito control, as it explores the viability and efficacy of producing and transporting sterile males from a distant facility to the release area. Our results provide valuable insights for future SIT programmes targeting Ae. Albopictus, and the methodology we employed can serve as a starting point for developing more refined and effective release protocols, including the transportation of sterile males over long distances from production units to intervention areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Balatsos
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 14561 Kifissia, Greece
| | - Vasileios Karras
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 14561 Kifissia, Greece
| | - Arianna Puggioli
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente "G. Nicoli", 40014 Crevalcore, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Balestrino
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Seibersdorf, A-2444 Vienna, Austria
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente "G. Nicoli", 40014 Crevalcore, Italy
| | - Dimitrios P Papachristos
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 14561 Kifissia, Greece
| | - Panagiotis G Milonas
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 14561 Kifissia, Greece
| | - Nikos T Papadopoulos
- Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, 38446 Magnisias, Greece
| | - Marco Malfacini
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente "G. Nicoli", 40014 Crevalcore, Italy
| | - Marco Carrieri
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente "G. Nicoli", 40014 Crevalcore, Italy
| | - Apostolos Kapranas
- Laboratory of Applied Zoology and Parasitology (Entomology), School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Wadaka Mamai
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Seibersdorf, A-2444 Vienna, Austria
| | - George Mastronikolos
- Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, 38446 Magnisias, Greece
| | - Ioanna Lytra
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 14561 Kifissia, Greece
| | - Jérémy Bouyer
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Seibersdorf, A-2444 Vienna, Austria - ASTRE, CIRAD, 34398 Montpellier, France - ASTRE, Cirad, INRAE, Univ. Montpellier, Plateforme Technologique CYROI, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Antonios Michaelakis
- Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 14561 Kifissia, Greece
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Aldridge RL, Gibson S, Linthicum KJ. Aedes aegypti Controls AE. Aegypti: SIT and IIT-An Overview. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MOSQUITO CONTROL ASSOCIATION 2024; 40:32-49. [PMID: 38427588 DOI: 10.2987/23-7154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The sterile insect technique (SIT) and the incompatible insect technique (IIT) are emerging and potentially revolutionary tools for controlling Aedes aegypti (L.), a prominent worldwide mosquito vector threat to humans that is notoriously difficult to reduce or eliminate in intervention areas using traditional integrated vector management (IVM) approaches. Here we provide an overview of the discovery, development, and application of SIT and IIT to Ae. aegypti control, and innovations and advances in technology, including transgenics, that could elevate these techniques to a worldwide sustainable solution to Ae. aegypti when combined with other IVM practices.
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Lutrat C, Burckbuchler M, Olmo RP, Beugnon R, Fontaine A, Akbari OS, Argilés-Herrero R, Baldet T, Bouyer J, Marois E. Combining two genetic sexing strains allows sorting of non-transgenic males for Aedes genetic control. Commun Biol 2023; 6:646. [PMID: 37328568 PMCID: PMC10275924 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05030-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical control of disease vectoring mosquitoes Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti is costly, unsustainable, and increasingly ineffective due to the spread of insecticide resistance. The Sterile Insect Technique is a valuable alternative but is limited by slow, error-prone, and wasteful sex-separation methods. Here, we present four Genetic Sexing Strains (two for each Aedes species) based on fluorescence markers linked to the m and M sex loci, allowing for the isolation of transgenic males. Furthermore, we demonstrate how combining these sexing strains enables the production of non-transgenic males. In a mass-rearing facility, 100,000 first instar male larvae could be sorted in under 1.5 h with an estimated 0.01-0.1% female contamination on a single machine. Cost-efficiency analyses revealed that using these strains could result in important savings while setting up and running a mass-rearing facility. Altogether, these Genetic Sexing Strains should enable a major upscaling in control programmes against these important vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Lutrat
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398, Montpellier, France.
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
| | | | | | - Rémy Beugnon
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Puschstrasse 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Albin Fontaine
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et maladies infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), Marseille, France
| | - Omar S Akbari
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - Thierry Baldet
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Sainte-Clotilde, F-97490, Reunion, France
| | - Jérémy Bouyer
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Saint-Pierre, F-97410, Reunion, France
- Insect Pest Control Sub-Programme, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Eric Marois
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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12
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Wang LM, Li N, Zhang M, Tang Q, Lu HZ, Zhou QY, Niu JX, Xiao L, Peng ZY, Zhang C, Liu M, Wang DQ, Deng SQ. The sex pheromone heptacosane enhances the mating competitiveness of sterile Aedes aegypti males. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:102. [PMID: 36922826 PMCID: PMC10015913 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05711-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes aegypti is a vector that transmits various viral diseases, including dengue and Zika. The radiation-based sterile insect technique (SIT) has a limited effect on mosquito control because of the difficulty in irradiating males without reducing their mating competitiveness. In this study, the insect sex pheromone heptacosane was applied to Ae. aegypti males to investigate whether it could enhance the mating competitiveness of irradiated males. METHODS Heptacosane was smeared on the abdomens of Ae. aegypti males that were allowed to mate with untreated virgin females. The insemination rate was used to assess the attractiveness of heptacosane-treated males to females. The pupae were irradiated with different doses of X-rays and γ-rays, and the emergence, survival time, egg number, and hatch rate were detected to find the optimal dose of X-ray and γ-ray radiation. The males irradiated at the optimal dose were smeared with heptacosane, released in different ratios with untreated males, and mated with females. The effect of heptacosane on the mating competitiveness of irradiated mosquitoes was then evaluated by the hatch rate, induced sterility, and mating competitiveness index. RESULTS Applying heptacosane to Ae. aegypti males significantly increased the insemination rate of females by 20%. Pupal radiation did not affect egg number but significantly reduced survival time and hatch rate. The emergence of the pupae was not affected by X-ray radiation but was affected by γ-ray radiation. Pupae exposed to 60 Gy X-rays and 40 Gy γ-rays were selected for subsequent experiments. After 60 Gy X-ray irradiation or 40 Gy γ-ray irradiation, the average hatch rate was less than 0.1%, and the average survival time was more than 15 days. Moreover, at the same release ratio, the hatch rate of the irradiated group perfumed with heptacosane was lower than that of the group without heptacosane. Conversely, the male sterility and male mating competitiveness index were significantly increased due to the use of heptacosane. CONCLUSIONS The sex pheromone heptacosane enhanced the interaction between Ae. aegypti males and females. Perfuming males irradiated by X-rays or γ-rays with heptacosane led to a significant increase in mating competitiveness. This study provided a new idea for improving the application effect of SIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Min Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ni Li
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Mao Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qi Tang
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hong-Zheng Lu
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qing-Ya Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jia-Xuan Niu
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Liang Xiao
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhe-Yu Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Miao Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Duo-Quan Wang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, China.
| | - Sheng-Qun Deng
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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Ruiz A, Gutiérrez-Bugallo G, Rodríguez-Roche R, Pérez L, González-Broche R, Piedra LA, Martínez LC, Menéndez Z, Vega-Rúa A, Bisset JA. First report of natural Wolbachia infections in mosquitoes from Cuba. Acta Trop 2023; 242:106891. [PMID: 36907292 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes are extensively responsible for the transmission of pathogens. Novel strategies using Wolbachia could transform that scenario, since these bacteria manipulate mosquito reproduction, and can confer a pathogen transmission-blocking phenotype in culicids. Here, we screened the Wolbachia surface protein region by PCR in eight Cuban mosquito species. We confirmed the natural infections by sequencing and assessed the phylogenetic relationships among the Wolbachia strains detected. We identified four Wolbachia hosts: Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Mansonia titillans, and Aedes mediovittatus (first report worldwide). Knowledge of Wolbachia strains and their natural hosts is essential for future operationalization of this vector control strategy in Cuba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Ruiz
- Department of Vector Control, Center for Research, Diagnostic, and Reference, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, PAHO-WHO Collaborating Center for Dengue and its Control, Havana, Cuba. Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6 ½, La Lisa 11 400, Havana
| | - Gladys Gutiérrez-Bugallo
- Department of Vector Control, Center for Research, Diagnostic, and Reference, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, PAHO-WHO Collaborating Center for Dengue and its Control, Havana, Cuba. Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6 ½, La Lisa 11 400, Havana..
| | - Rosmari Rodríguez-Roche
- Department of Virology, Center for Research, Diagnostic, and Reference, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, Havana, Cuba. Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6 ½, La Lisa 11 400, Havana
| | - Lissette Pérez
- Department of Virology, Center for Research, Diagnostic, and Reference, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, Havana, Cuba. Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6 ½, La Lisa 11 400, Havana
| | - Raúl González-Broche
- Department of Vector Control, Center for Research, Diagnostic, and Reference, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, PAHO-WHO Collaborating Center for Dengue and its Control, Havana, Cuba. Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6 ½, La Lisa 11 400, Havana
| | - Luis A Piedra
- Department of Vector Control, Center for Research, Diagnostic, and Reference, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, PAHO-WHO Collaborating Center for Dengue and its Control, Havana, Cuba. Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6 ½, La Lisa 11 400, Havana
| | - Liss C Martínez
- Department of Vector Control, Center for Research, Diagnostic, and Reference, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, PAHO-WHO Collaborating Center for Dengue and its Control, Havana, Cuba. Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6 ½, La Lisa 11 400, Havana
| | - Zulema Menéndez
- Department of Vector Control, Center for Research, Diagnostic, and Reference, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, PAHO-WHO Collaborating Center for Dengue and its Control, Havana, Cuba. Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6 ½, La Lisa 11 400, Havana
| | - Anubis Vega-Rúa
- Institute Pasteur of Guadeloupe, Laboratory of Vector Control research, Unit Transmission Reservoir and Pathogens Diversity, Les Abymes, France. Morne Jolivière, Les Abymes 97139, Guadeloupe
| | - Juan A Bisset
- Department of Vector Control, Center for Research, Diagnostic, and Reference, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, PAHO-WHO Collaborating Center for Dengue and its Control, Havana, Cuba. Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6 ½, La Lisa 11 400, Havana
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Chen C, Aldridge RL, Gibson S, Kline J, Aryaprema V, Qualls W, Xue RD, Boardman L, Linthicum KJ, Hahn DA. Developing the radiation-based sterile insect technique (SIT) for controlling Aedes aegypti: identification of a sterilizing dose. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:1175-1183. [PMID: 36424673 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sterile insect technique (SIT) is emerging as a tool to supplement traditional pesticide-based control of Aedes aegypti, a prominent mosquito vector of microbes that has increased the global burden of human morbidity and mortality over the past 50 years. SIT relies on rearing, sterilizing and releasing large numbers of male mosquitoes that will mate with fertile wild females, thus reducing production of offspring from the target population. In this study, we investigated the effects of ionizing radiation (gamma) on male and female survival, longevity, mating behavior, and sterility of Ae. aegypti in a dose-response design. This work is a first step towards developing an operational SIT field suppression program against Ae. aegypti in St. Augustine, Florida, USA. RESULTS Exposing late-stage pupae to 50 Gy of radiation yielded 99% male sterility while maintaining similar survival of pupae to adult emergence, adult longevity and male mating competitiveness compared to unirradiated males. Females were completely sterilized at 30 Gy, and when females were dosed with 50 Gy, they had a lower incidence of blood-feeding than unirradiated females. CONCLUSION Our work suggests that an ionizing radiation dose of 50 Gy should be used for future development of operational SIT in our program area because at this dose males are 99% sterile while maintaining mating competitiveness against unirradiated males. Furthermore, females that might be accidentally released with sterile males as a result of errors in sex sorting also are sterile and less likely to blood-feed than unirradiated females at our 50 Gy dose. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Chen
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Robert L Aldridge
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, & Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Seth Gibson
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, & Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jedidiah Kline
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, & Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Whitney Qualls
- Anastasia Mosquito Control District, St. Augustine, Florida, USA
| | - Rui-de Xue
- Anastasia Mosquito Control District, St. Augustine, Florida, USA
| | - Leigh Boardman
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences & Center for Biodiversity Research, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kenneth J Linthicum
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, & Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel A Hahn
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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The size of larval rearing container modulates the effects of diet amount and larval density on larval development in Aedes aegypti. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280736. [PMID: 36696416 PMCID: PMC9876358 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mass-rearing of mosquitoes under laboratory conditions is an important part of several new control techniques that rely on the release of males to control mosquito populations. While previous work has investigated the effect of larval density and diet amount on colony productivity, the role of the size of the container in which larval development takes place has been relatively ignored. We investigated the role of container size in shaping life history and how this varied with density and food availability in Aedes aegypti, an important disease vector and target of mass-rearing operations. For each treatment combination, immature development time and survival and adult body size and fecundity were measured, and then combined into a measure of productivity. We additionally investigated how larval aggregation behaviour varied with container size. Container size had important effects on life history traits and overall productivity. In particular, increasing container size intensified density and diet effects on immature development time. Productivity was also impacted by container size when larvae were reared at high densities (1.4 larva/ml). In these treatments, the productivity metric of large containers was estimated to be significantly lower than medium or small containers. Regardless of container size, larvae were more likely to be observed at the outer edges of containers, even when this led to extremely high localized densities. We discuss how container size and larval aggregation responses may alter the balance of energy input and output to shape development and productivity.
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Evans KG, Neale ZR, Holly B, Canizela CC, Juliano SA. Survival-Larval Density Relationships in the Field and Their Implications for Control of Container-Dwelling Aedes Mosquitoes. INSECTS 2022; 14:17. [PMID: 36661946 PMCID: PMC9860540 DOI: 10.3390/insects14010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Population density can affect survival, growth, development time, and adult size and fecundity, which are collectively known as density-dependent effects. Container Aedes larvae often attain high densities in nature, and those densities may be reduced when larval control is applied. We tested the hypothesis that density-dependent effects on survival are common and strong in nature and could result in maximal adult production at intermediate densities for Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Aedes triseriatus. We surveyed naturally occurring densities in field containers, then introduced larvae at a similar range of densities, and censused the containers for survivors. We analyzed the survival-density relationships by nonlinear regressions, which showed that survival-density relationships vary among seasons, sites, and species. For each Aedes species, some sites and times yielded predictions that larval density reduction would yield the same (compensation), or more (overcompensation), adults than no larval density reduction. Thus, larval control targeting these Aedes species cannot always be assumed to yield a reduction in the number of adult mosquitoes. We suggest that mosquito control targeting larvae may be made more effective by: Imposing maximum mortality; targeting populations when larval abundances are low; and knowing the shape of the survival-density response of the target population.
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Vorsino AE, Xi Z. A mass rearing cost calculator for the control of Culex quinquefasciatus in Hawai'i using the incompatible insect technique. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:453. [PMID: 36471389 PMCID: PMC9724328 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05522-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hawai'i's native forest avifauna is experiencing drastic declines due to climate change-induced increases in temperature encroaching on their upper-elevation montane rainforest refugia. Higher temperatures support greater avian malaria infection rates due to greater densities of its primary vector, the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus, and enhance development of the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum. Here we propose the use of the incompatible insect technique (IIT) or the combined IIT/sterile insect technique (SIT) for the landscape-scale (i.e., area-wide) control of Cx. quinquefasciatus, and have developed a calculator to estimate the costs of IIT and IIT/SIT applications at various sites in Hawai'i. METHODS The overall cost of the infrastructure, personnel, and space necessary to produce incompatible adult males for release is calculated in a unit of ~ 1 million culicid larvae/week. We assessed the rearing costs and need for effective control at various elevations in Hawai'i using a 10:1 overflooding ratio at each elevation. The calculator uses a rate describing the number of culicids needed to control wild-type mosquitoes at each site/elevation, in relation to the number of larval rearing units. This rate is a constant from which other costs are quantified. With minor modifications, the calculator described here can be applied to other areas, mosquito species, and similar techniques. To test the robustness of our calculator, the Kaua'i-specific culicid IIT/SIT infrastructure costs were also compared to costs from Singapore, Mexico, and China using the yearly cost of control per hectare, and purchasing power parity between sites for the cost of 1000 IIT/SIT males. RESULTS As a proof of concept, we have used the calculator to estimate rearing infrastructure costs for an application of IIT in the Alaka'i Wilderness Reserve on the island of Kaua'i. Our analysis estimated an initial investment of at least ~ $1.16M with subsequent yearly costs of approximately $376K. Projections of rearing costs for control at lower elevations are ~ 100 times greater than in upper elevation forest bird refugia. These results are relatively comparable to those real-world cost estimates developed for IIT/SIT culicid male production in other countries when inflation and purchasing power parity are considered. We also present supplemental examples of infrastructure costs needed to control Cx. quinquefasciatus in the home range of 'i'iwi Drepanis coccinea, and the yellow fever vector Aedes aegypti. CONCLUSIONS Our cost calculator can be used to effectively estimate the mass rearing cost of an IIT/SIT program. Therefore, the linear relationship of rearing infrastructure to costs used in this calculator is useful for developing a conservative cost estimate for IIT/SIT culicid mass rearing infrastructure. These mass rearing cost estimates vary based on the density of the targeted organism at the application site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam E. Vorsino
- Strategic Habitat Conservation Program, Ecological Services, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Ala Moana Blvd Ste. 3-122, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96850 USA
| | - Zhiyong Xi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, 314 Giltner Hall, 293 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
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Kyrgiafini MA, Giannoulis T, Moutou KA, Mamuris Z. Investigating the Impact of a Curse: Diseases, Population Isolation, Evolution and the Mother's Curse. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:2151. [PMID: 36421825 PMCID: PMC9690142 DOI: 10.3390/genes13112151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 09/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrion was characterized for years as the energy factory of the cell, but now its role in many more cellular processes is recognized. The mitochondrion and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) also possess a set of distinct properties, including maternal inheritance, that creates the Mother's Curse phenomenon. As mtDNA is inherited from females to all offspring, mutations that are harmful to males tend to accumulate more easily. The Mother's Curse is associated with various diseases, and has a significant effect on males, in many cases even affecting their reproductive ability. Sometimes, it even leads to reproductive isolation, as in crosses between different populations, the mitochondrial genome cannot cooperate effectively with the nuclear one resulting in a mito-nuclear incompatibility and reduce the fitness of the hybrids. This phenomenon is observed both in the laboratory and in natural populations, and have the potential to influence their evolution and speciation. Therefore, it turns out that the study of mitochondria is an exciting field that finds many applications, including pest control, and it can shed light on the molecular mechanism of several diseases, improving successful diagnosis and therapeutics. Finally, mito-nuclear co-adaptation, paternal leakage, and kin selection are some mechanisms that can mitigate the impact of the Mother's Curse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Anna Kyrgiafini
- Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, Mezourlo, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Themistoklis Giannoulis
- Laboratory of Biology, Genetics and Bioinformatics, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Thessaly, Gaiopolis, 41336 Larissa, Greece
| | - Katerina A. Moutou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, Mezourlo, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Zissis Mamuris
- Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, Mezourlo, 41500 Larissa, Greece
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Carvalho DO, Morreale R, Stenhouse S, Hahn DA, Gomez M, Lloyd A, Hoel D. A sterile insect technique pilot trial on Captiva Island: defining mosquito population parameters for sterile male releases using mark-release-recapture. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:402. [PMID: 36320036 PMCID: PMC9628054 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05512-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The sterile insect technique (SIT), which involves area-wide inundative releases of sterile insects to suppress the reproduction of a target species, has proven to be an effective pest control method. The technique demands the continuous release of sterilized insects in quantities that ensure a high sterile male:wild male ratio for the suppression of the wild population over succeeding generations. Methods For these releases, it is important to determine several ecological and biological population parameters, including the longevity of the released males in the field, the dispersal of the released males and the wild pest population size. The Lee County Mosquito Control District initiated a study in a 47-ha portion of Captiva Island (Florida, USA), an island with a total area of 230 ha, to define biological SIT parameters for Aedes aegypti (L.), an invasive disease-vectoring mosquito known to be difficult to control due to a combination of daytime biting activity, use of cryptic breeding habitats that are difficult to target with conventional night-time ultra-low volume methods, and emerging resistance to commonly used insecticides. Another goal was to assess patterns of dispersal and survival for laboratory-reared sterile Ae. aegypti males released over time in the pilot site. These parameters will be used to evaluate the efficacy of a SIT suppression program for Ae. aegypti on Captiva Island. Results Over the course of seven mark-release-recapture studies using single- and multiple-point releases, 190,504 sterile marked males were released, for which the recapture rate was 1.5% over a mean period of 12 days. The mean distance traveled by sterile males of the local strain of Ae. aegypti that has colonized Captiva Island was 201.7 m from the release point, with an observed maximum traveled distance of 404.5 m. The released sterile mosquitoes had a probability of daily survival of 0.67 and an average life expectancy of ~ 2.46 days. Conclusions These data together with the population size estimate and sterile:wild ratio provide a solid basis for planning the SIT operational phase which is aimed at mosquito population suppression. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05512-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo O. Carvalho
- grid.420221.70000 0004 0403 8399Insect Pest Control Subprogramme, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, 1400 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rachel Morreale
- Lee County Mosquito Control District, 15191 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 USA
| | - Steven Stenhouse
- Lee County Mosquito Control District, 15191 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 USA
| | - Daniel A. Hahn
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
| | - Maylen Gomez
- grid.420221.70000 0004 0403 8399Insect Pest Control Subprogramme, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, 1400 Vienna, Austria
| | - Aaron Lloyd
- Lee County Mosquito Control District, 15191 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 USA
| | - David Hoel
- Lee County Mosquito Control District, 15191 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 USA
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Tao M, Wan Y, Zheng X, Qian K, Merchant A, Xu B, Zhang Y, Zhou X, Wu Q. Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus shifts sex ratio toward males in the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, by down-regulating a FSCB-like gene. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:5014-5023. [PMID: 36054039 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant viruses can facilitate their transmission by modulating the sex ratios of their insect vectors. Previously, we found that exposure to tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) in the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, led to a male-biased sex ratio in the offspring. TSWV, a generalist pathogen with a broad host range, is transmitted primarily by F. occidentalis in a circulative-propagative manner. Here, we integrated proteomic tools with RNAi to comprehensively investigate the genetic basis underlying the shift in vector sex ratio induced by the virus. RESULTS Proteomic analysis exhibited 104 differentially expressed proteins between F. occidentalis adult males with and without TSWV. The expression of the fiber sheath CABYR-binding-like (FSCB) protein, namely FoFSCB-like, a sperm-specific protein associated with sperm capacitation and motility, was decreased by 46%. The predicted FoFSCB-like protein includes 10 classic Pro-X-X-Pro motifs and 42 phosphorylation sites, which are key features for sperm capacitation. FoFSCB-like expression was gradually increased during the development and peaked at the pupal stage. After exposure to TSWV, FoFSCB-like expression was substantially down-regulated. Nanoparticle-mediated RNAi substantially suppressed FoFSCB-like expression and led to a significant male bias in the offspring. CONCLUSION These combined results suggest that down-regulation of FoFSCB-like in virus-exposed thrips leads to a male-biased sex ratio in the offspring. This study not only advances our understanding of virus-vector interactions, but also identifies a potential target for the genetic management of F. occidentalis, the primary vector of TSWV, by manipulating male fertility. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Tao
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanran Wan
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobin Zheng
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kanghua Qian
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Austin Merchant
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Baoyun Xu
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Youjun Zhang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Qingjun Wu
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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21
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Spinner SAM, Barnes ZH, Puinean AM, Gray P, Dafa’alla T, Phillips CE, Nascimento de Souza C, Frazon TF, Ercit K, Collado A, Naish N, Sulston E, Ll. Phillips GC, Greene KK, Poletto M, Sperry BD, Warner SA, Rose NR, Frandsen GK, Verza NC, Gorman KJ, Matzen KJ. New self-sexing Aedes aegypti strain eliminates barriers to scalable and sustainable vector control for governments and communities in dengue-prone environments. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:975786. [PMID: 36394032 PMCID: PMC9650594 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.975786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
For more than 60 years, efforts to develop mating-based mosquito control technologies have largely failed to produce solutions that are both effective and scalable, keeping them out of reach of most governments and communities in disease-impacted regions globally. High pest suppression levels in trials have yet to fully translate into broad and effective Aedes aegypti control solutions. Two primary challenges to date-the need for complex sex-sorting to prevent female releases, and cumbersome processes for rearing and releasing male adult mosquitoes-present significant barriers for existing methods. As the host range of Aedes aegypti continues to advance into new geographies due to increasing globalisation and climate change, traditional chemical-based approaches are under mounting pressure from both more stringent regulatory processes and the ongoing development of insecticide resistance. It is no exaggeration to state that new tools, which are equal parts effective and scalable, are needed now more than ever. This paper describes the development and field evaluation of a new self-sexing strain of Aedes aegypti that has been designed to combine targeted vector suppression, operational simplicity, and cost-effectiveness for use in disease-prone regions. This conditional, self-limiting trait uses the sex-determination gene doublesex linked to the tetracycline-off genetic switch to cause complete female lethality in early larval development. With no female progeny survival, sex sorting is no longer required, eliminating the need for large-scale mosquito production facilities or physical sex-separation. In deployment operations, this translates to the ability to generate multiple generations of suppression for each mosquito released, while being entirely self-limiting. To evaluate these potential benefits, a field trial was carried out in densely-populated urban, dengue-prone neighbourhoods in Brazil, wherein the strain was able to suppress wild mosquito populations by up to 96%, demonstrating the utility of this self-sexing approach for biological vector control. In doing so, it has shown that such strains offer the critical components necessary to make these tools highly accessible, and thus they harbour the potential to transition mating-based approaches to effective and sustainable vector control tools that are within reach of governments and at-risk communities who may have only limited resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pam Gray
- Oxitec Ltd., Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Natalia C. Verza
- Oxitec Ltd., Abingdon, United Kingdom
- Oxitec do Brasil, Campinas, Brazil
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Common LK, Kleindorfer S, Colombelli-Négrel D, Dudaniec RY. Genetics reveals shifts in reproductive behaviour of the invasive bird parasite Philornis downsi collected from Darwin’s finch nests. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02935-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
AbstractDue to novel or dynamic fluctuations in environmental conditions and resources, host and parasite relationships can be subject to diverse selection pressures that may lead to significant changes during and after invasion of a parasite. Genomic analyses are useful for elucidating evolutionary processes in invasive parasites following their arrival to a new area and host. Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae), the avian vampire fly, was introduced to the Galápagos Islands circa 1964 and has since spread across the archipelago, feeding on the blood of developing nestlings of endemic land birds. Since its discovery, there have been significant changes to the dynamics of P. downsi and its novel hosts, such as shifting mortality rates and changing oviposition behaviour, however no temporal genetic studies have been conducted. We collected P. downsi from nests and traps from a single island population over a 14-year period, and genotyped flies at 469 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADSeq). Despite significant genetic differentiation (FST) between years, there was no evidence for genetic clustering within or across four sampling years between 2006 and 2020, suggesting a lack of population isolation. Sibship reconstructions from P. downsi collected from 10 Darwin’s finch nests sampled in 2020 showed evidence for shifts in reproductive behaviour compared to a similar genetic analysis conducted in 2004–2006. Compared with this previous study, females mated with fewer males, individual females oviposited fewer offspring per nest, but more unique females oviposited per nest. These findings are important to consider within reproductive control techniques, and have fitness implications for both parasite evolution and host fitness.
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23
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Gómez M, Macedo AT, Pedrosa MC, Hohana F, Barros V, Pires B, Barbosa L, Brito M, Garziera L, Argilés-Herrero R, Virginio JF, Carvalho DO. Exploring Conditions for Handling Packing and Shipping Aedes aegypti Males to Support an SIT Field Project in Brazil. INSECTS 2022; 13:871. [PMID: 36292819 PMCID: PMC9604236 DOI: 10.3390/insects13100871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The sterile insect technique (SIT) application, as an alternative tool for conventional mosquito control methods, has recently gained prominence. Nevertheless, some SIT components require further development, such as protocols under large-scale conditions, focusing on packing and shipping mosquitoes, and considering transporting time. Immobilization of Aedes aegypti males was tested at temperatures 4, 7, 10, and 14 °C, and each temperature was assessed for 60, 90, and 120 min. The recovery after 24 h was also studied. Chilled and control-reared males had comparable survival rates for all conditions, although 4 °C for 120 min impacted male survival. The male escape rate was affected after 60 min of exposure at 4 °C; this difference was not significant, with 24 h of recovery. First, we defined the successful immobilization at 4 °C for 60 min, thus enabling the evaluation of two transportation intervals: 6 and 24 h, with the assessment of different compaction densities of 100 and 150 mosquitoes/cm3 at 10 °C to optimize the shipment. Compaction during simulated mosquito shipments reduced survival rates significantly after 6 and 24 h. In the mating propensity and insemination experiments, the sterile males managed to inseminate 40 to 66% for all treatments in laboratory conditions. The male insemination propensity was affected only by the highest compaction condition concerning the control. The analysis of the densities (100 and 150 males/cm3) showed that a higher density combined with an extended shipment period (24 h) negatively impacted the percentage of inseminated females. The results are very helpful in developing and improving the SIT packing and shipment protocols. Further studies are required to evaluate all combined parameters' synergetic effects that can combine irradiation to assess sexual competitiveness when sterile males are released into the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maylen Gómez
- Biofábrica Moscamed Brasil, Quadra D-13, Lote 15, Distrito Industrial do São Francisco, Juazeiro 48909-733, Brazil
- Insect Pest Control Subprogramme, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, P.O. Box 100 Vienna, Austria
| | - Aline T. Macedo
- Biofábrica Moscamed Brasil, Quadra D-13, Lote 15, Distrito Industrial do São Francisco, Juazeiro 48909-733, Brazil
| | - Michelle C. Pedrosa
- Biofábrica Moscamed Brasil, Quadra D-13, Lote 15, Distrito Industrial do São Francisco, Juazeiro 48909-733, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Hohana
- Biofábrica Moscamed Brasil, Quadra D-13, Lote 15, Distrito Industrial do São Francisco, Juazeiro 48909-733, Brazil
| | - Verenna Barros
- Biofábrica Moscamed Brasil, Quadra D-13, Lote 15, Distrito Industrial do São Francisco, Juazeiro 48909-733, Brazil
| | - Bianca Pires
- Biofábrica Moscamed Brasil, Quadra D-13, Lote 15, Distrito Industrial do São Francisco, Juazeiro 48909-733, Brazil
| | - Lucas Barbosa
- Biofábrica Moscamed Brasil, Quadra D-13, Lote 15, Distrito Industrial do São Francisco, Juazeiro 48909-733, Brazil
| | - Miriam Brito
- Biofábrica Moscamed Brasil, Quadra D-13, Lote 15, Distrito Industrial do São Francisco, Juazeiro 48909-733, Brazil
| | - Luiza Garziera
- Biofábrica Moscamed Brasil, Quadra D-13, Lote 15, Distrito Industrial do São Francisco, Juazeiro 48909-733, Brazil
| | - Rafael Argilés-Herrero
- Insect Pest Control Subprogramme, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, P.O. Box 100 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jair F. Virginio
- Biofábrica Moscamed Brasil, Quadra D-13, Lote 15, Distrito Industrial do São Francisco, Juazeiro 48909-733, Brazil
| | - Danilo O. Carvalho
- Insect Pest Control Subprogramme, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, P.O. Box 100 Vienna, Austria
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Ernawan B, Anggraeni T, Yusmalinar S, Sasmita HI, Fitrianto N, Ahmad I. Assessment of Compaction, Temperature, and Duration Factors for Packaging and Transporting of Sterile Male Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) under Laboratory Conditions. INSECTS 2022; 13:847. [PMID: 36135548 PMCID: PMC9501006 DOI: 10.3390/insects13090847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Optimized conditions for the packaging and transportation of sterile males are crucial factors in successful SIT programs against mosquito vector-borne diseases. The factors influencing the quality of sterile males in packages during transportation need to be assessed to develop standard protocols. This study was aimed to investigate the impact of compaction, temperature, and duration factors during packaging and transportation on the quality of gamma-sterilized male Ae. aegypti. Aedes aegypti males were sterilized at a dose of 70 Gy, compacted into Falcon tubes with densities of 40, 80, and 120 males/2 mL; and then exposed to temperatures of 7, 14, 21, and 28 °C. Each temperature setup was held for a duration of 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h at a 60 rpm constant vibration to simulate transportation. The parameters of mortality, flight ability, induced sterility, and longevity were investigated. Results showed that increases in density, temperature, and duration significantly increased mortality and reduced flight ability and longevity, but none of the factors significantly affected induced sterility. With a mortality rate of less than 20%, an escaping rate of more than 70%, considerable longevity, and the most negligible effect on induced sterility (approximately 98%), a temperature of 7 °C and a compaction density of 80 males/2 mL were shown to be optimized conditions for short-term transportation (no more than 24 h) with the minimum adverse effects compared with other condition setups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beni Ernawan
- Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), School of Life Sciences and Technology, Jalan Ganesha No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
- Research Center for Radiation Process Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Jalan Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Tjandra Anggraeni
- Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), School of Life Sciences and Technology, Jalan Ganesha No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
| | - Sri Yusmalinar
- Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), School of Life Sciences and Technology, Jalan Ganesha No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
| | - Hadian Iman Sasmita
- Research Center for Radiation Process Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Jalan Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Nur Fitrianto
- Research Center for Radiation Process Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Jalan Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Intan Ahmad
- Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), School of Life Sciences and Technology, Jalan Ganesha No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
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Bimbilé Somda NS, Yamada H, Kraupa C, Mamai W, Maiga H, Kotla SS, Wallner T, Martina C, Bouyer J. Response of male adult Aedes mosquitoes to gamma radiation in different nitrogen environments. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:942654. [PMID: 36172019 PMCID: PMC9510776 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.942654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The developmental stage of the mosquito is one of the main factors that affect its response to ionizing radiation. Irradiation of adults has been reported to have beneficial effects. However, the main challenge is to immobilize and compact a large number of adult male mosquitoes for homogenous irradiation with minimal deleterious effects on their quality. The present study investigates the use of nitrogen in the irradiation of adult Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti. Irradiation in nitrogen (N2) and in air after being treated with nitrogen (PreN2) were compared with irradiation in air at gamma radiation doses of 0, 55, 70, 90, 110, and 125 Gy. In both species, approximately 0% egg hatch rate was observed following doses above 55 Gy in air versus 70 Gy in PreN2 and 90 Gy in N2. Males irradiated at a high mosquito density showed similar egg hatch rates as those irradiated at a low density. Nitrogen treatments showed beneficial effects on the longevity of irradiated males for a given dose, revealing the radioprotective effect of anoxia. However, irradiation in N2 or PreN2 slightly reduced the male flight ability. Nitrogen treatment was found to be a reliable method for adult mosquito immobilization. Overall, our results demonstrated that nitrogen may be useful in adult Aedes mass irradiation. The best option seems to be PreN2 since it reduces the immobilization duration and requires a lower dose than that required in the N2 environment to achieve full sterility but with similar effects on male quality. However, further studies are necessary to develop standardized procedures including containers, time and pressure for flushing with nitrogen, immobilization duration considering mosquito species, age, and density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanwintoum Séverin Bimbilé Somda
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences et Technologies (UFR/ST), Université Norbert ZONGO (UNZ), Koudougou, Burkina Faso
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Direction Régionale de l’Ouest (IRSS/DRO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- *Correspondence: Nanwintoum Séverin Bimbilé Somda,
| | - Hanano Yamada
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carina Kraupa
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wadaka Mamai
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
- Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement (IRAD), Yaoundé-Messa, Cameroun
| | - Hamidou Maiga
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Direction Régionale de l’Ouest (IRSS/DRO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Simran Singh Kotla
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Wallner
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Martina
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jeremy Bouyer
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
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Current Status of Mosquito Handling, Transporting and Releasing in Frame of the Sterile Insect Technique. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13060532. [PMID: 35735869 PMCID: PMC9224830 DOI: 10.3390/insects13060532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The sterile insect technique (SIT) and its related technologies are considered to be a powerful weapon for fighting against mosquitoes. As an important part of the area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programs, SIT can help reduce the use of chemical pesticides for mosquito control, and consequently, the occurrence of insecticide resistance. The mosquito SIT involves several important steps, including mass rearing, sex separation, irradiation, packing, transportation, release and monitoring. To enable the application of SIT against mosquitoes to reduce vector populations, the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Centre (previously called Division) of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture (hereinafter called Joint FAO/IAEA Centre) and its Insects Pest Control sub-program promoted a coordinated research project (CRP) entitled "Mosquito handling, transport, release and male trapping methods" to enhance the success of SIT. This article summarizes the existing explorations that are critical to the handling and transporting of male mosquitoes, offers an overview of detailed steps in SIT and discusses new emerging methods for mosquito releases, covering most processes of SIT.
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Jiménez-Alejo A, Pacheco-Soriano AL, Liedo P, Marina CF, Bond JG, Rodríguez-Ramos JC, Valle J, Dor A. Acceptance of a Sterile Male Releases Pilot Project to Reduce Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) Populations and Its Associated Factors: A Community-based Cross-sectional Survey in South Chiapas, Mexico. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106573. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Agarwal A, Sarma DK, Chaurasia D, Maan HS. Novel molecular approaches to combat vectors and vector-borne viruses: Special focus on RNA interference (RNAi) mechanisms. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106539. [PMID: 35623398 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, zika, yellow fever etc pose significant burden among the infectious diseases globally, especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Globalization, deforestation, urbanization, climate change, uncontrolled population growth, inadequate waste management and poor vector-management infrastructure have all contributed to the expansion of vector habitats and subsequent increase in vector-borne diseases throughout the world. Conventional vector control methods, such as use of insecticides, have significant negative environmental repercussions in addition to developing resistance in vectors. Till date, a very few vaccines or antiviral therapies have been approved for the treatment of vector borne diseases. In this review, we have discussed emerging molecular approaches like CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas-9, sterile insect technique (SIT), release of insects carrying a dominant lethal (RIDL), Wolbachia (virus transmission blocking) and RNA interference (RNAi) to combat vector and vector-borne viruses. Due to the extensive advancements in RNAi research, a special focus has been given on its types, biogenesis, mechanism of action, delivery and experimental studies evaluating their application as anti-mosquito and anti-viral agent. These technologies appear to be highly promising in terms of contributing to vector control and antiviral drug development, and hence can be used to reduce global vector and vector-borne disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Agarwal
- State Virology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal 462001, Madhya Pradesh, India.
| | - Devojit Kumar Sarma
- ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal 462030, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Deepti Chaurasia
- State Virology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal 462001, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Harjeet Singh Maan
- State Virology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal 462001, Madhya Pradesh, India
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29
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Effectiveness of a New Self-Marking Technique in Aedes aegypti under Laboratory Conditions. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040379. [PMID: 35447821 PMCID: PMC9044741 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the implementation of mosquito control strategy programs using Sterile Insect Technique and other rear and release strategies, knowledge on the dispersion, competitiveness and survival of mosquitos is considered essential. To assess these parameters, marking techniques are generally used to differentiate colony mosquitoes from wild ones. Most of the existing mosquito marking methods require numerous manipulations that can impact their quality. In this study, we have developed a self-marking technique that can reduce the damage associated with mosquito handling. The marking technique consisted of adding fluorescent powder (DayGlo: A-17-N Saturn yellow) directly to the surface water of the receptacle containing Aedes aegypti male pupae. Different quantities of powder were used, and marking efficacy, powder persistence and mosquito survival were assessed. The results show a mean marking rate of 98 ± 1.61%, and the probability of marking increased significantly (p < 0.001) with increasing concentrations of fluorescent powder. Fluorescent powder persisted up to 20 days and did not induce a negative effect on mosquito survival (χ2 = 5.3, df = 7, p = 0.63). In addition, powder transfer did not occur between marked and unmarked populations. This marking method significantly reduces human intervention and mosquito handling during the marking process, improving the quality of marked mosquitoes used to assess SIT programs.
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Field Suppression of Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) ( Drosophila suzukii Matsumura) Using the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040328. [PMID: 35447770 PMCID: PMC9031279 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila suzukii (spotted wing drosophila—SWD) is an economically important pest of soft and stone fruit worldwide. Control relies on broad-spectrum insecticides, which are neither fully effective nor environmentally sustainable. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a proven, effective and environmentally friendly pest-management tool. Here, we investigated, for the first time, the potential of using SIT to control D. suzukii in field conditions without physical barriers that limit insect invasion. A proprietary method of rearing and irradiation with X-rays was used to obtain males that were > 99% sterile. Sterile males were released twice per week from April to October 2021 on a site in Kent, UK, where everbearing strawberries were grown in open polytunnels. The infestation of wild female D. suzukii was monitored weekly using red sticky traps with dry lure at the treated site and at two similar control sites that did not receive sterile male releases. Releases of sterile males suppressed the wild female D. suzukii population by up to 91% in comparison with the control sites. We thus demonstrated the feasibility of SIT to achieve season-long control of D. suzukii using early, sustained and dynamically targeted releases of sterile males. This provides a promising environmentally friendly method to control this important pest.
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Mathematical Model of Pest Control Using Different Release Rates of Sterile Insects and Natural Enemies. MATHEMATICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/math10060883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In the framework of integrated pest management, biological control through the use of living organisms plays important roles in suppressing pest populations. In this paper, the complex interaction between plants and pest insects is examined under the intervention of natural enemies releases coupled with sterile insects technique. A set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations is developed in terms of optimal control model considering characteristics of populations involved. Optimal control measures are sought in such a way they minimize the pest density simultaneously with the control efforts. Three different strategies relating to the release rate of sterile insects and predators as natural enemies, namely, constant, proportional, and saturating proportional release rates, are examined for the attainability of control objective. The necessary optimality conditions of the control problem are derived by using Pontryagin maximum principle, and the forward–backward sweep method is then implemented to numerically calculate the optimal solution. It is shown that, in an environment consisting of rice plants and brown planthoppers as pests, the releases of sterile planthoppers and ladybeetles as natural enemies can deteriorate the pest density and thus increase the plant biomass. The release of sterile insects with proportional rate and the release of natural enemies with constant rate are found to be the most cost-effective strategy in controlling pest insects. This strategy successfully decreases the pest population about 35 percent, and thus increases the plant density by 13 percent during control implementation.
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Transgenic expression of Nix converts genetic females into males and allows automated sex sorting in Aedes albopictus. Commun Biol 2022; 5:210. [PMID: 35256751 PMCID: PMC8901906 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03165-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes albopictus is a major vector of arboviruses. Better understanding of its sex determination is crucial for developing mosquito control tools, especially genetic sexing strains. In Aedes aegypti, Nix is the primary gene responsible for masculinization and Nix-expressing genetic females develop into fertile, albeit flightless, males. In Ae. albopictus, Nix has also been implicated in masculinization but its role remains to be further characterized. In this work, we establish Ae. albopictus transgenic lines ectopically expressing Nix. Several are composed exclusively of genetic females, with transgenic individuals being phenotypic and functional males due to the expression of the Nix transgene. Their reproductive fitness is marginally impaired, while their flight performance is similar to controls. Overall, our results show that Nix is sufficient for full masculinization in Ae. albopictus. Moreover, the transgene construct contains a fluorescence marker allowing efficient automated sex sorting. Consequently, such strains constitute valuable sexing strains for genetic control. Nix expression with a fluorescent marker in genetically female Ae. albopictus causes masculinization with minimal effects to reproductive fitness and flight performance.
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Bourtzis K, Vreysen MJB. Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications. INSECTS 2021; 12:638. [PMID: 34357298 PMCID: PMC8304793 DOI: 10.3390/insects12070638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Although most insect species have a beneficial role in the ecosystems, some of them represent major plant pests and disease vectors for livestock and humans. During the last six-seven decades, the sterile insect technique (SIT) has been used as part of area-wide integrated pest management strategies to suppress, contain, locally eradicate or prevent the (re)invasion of insect pest populations and disease vectors worldwide. This Special Issue on "Sterile insect technique (SIT) and its applications", which consists of 27 manuscripts (7 reviews and 20 original research articles), provides an update on the research and development efforts in this area. The manuscripts report on all the different components of the SIT package including mass-rearing, development of genetic sexing strains, irradiation, quality control as well as field trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kostas Bourtzis
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Marc J. B. Vreysen
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
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