Field Evaluation of Fyfanon Ew Against Aedes Aegypti: A Low Odor Ultra-Low Volume Formulation of Malathion.

A low odor formulation of ultra-low volume (ULV) malathion (Fyfanon EW®) mosquito adulticide was evaluated in the field for its efficacy using caged female Aedes aegypti. Cages were placed in three rows, 30 m apart at 30, 60, and 90 m from the spray line. The product was applied at the manufacturer's suggested operational rate of 0.28 liter/min (9.5 fl oz/min) and at the maximum label rate of 0.37 liter/min (12.6 fl oz/min) with a Guardian 190ES truck mounted ULV sprayer. At 1 h post-treatment for the manufacturer's suggested operational rate, adult mortality ranged from 85% at 30 m to 46% at 90 m (overall average 65.5%). At 24 h post-treatment, mortality was significantly greater at each distance with complete control of caged mosquitoes at 30 m and >95% at 90 m. Overall, 24-h average mortality at this rate was 96.8%. At the maximum label rate, mosquito mortality at 1 h was considerably greater at all distances and ranged from about 89% to 75% with an overall average of 84.3%. At 24 h post-treatment, complete mortality was recorded at all transect distances at this higher rate. In conclusion, our results showed that at 24 h, Fyfanon EW® was considered very effective when applied by ULV truck mounted ground equipment for area-wide control of mosquitoes.

Evaluation of Alternative Power Sources for Operating CDC Mosquito Surveillance Traps.

Several portable, rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-Ion) cell phone power banks were compared with standard 6-V gel lead-acid batteries as alternative power sources for operating mosquito surveillance equipment. In laboratory trials, ToughTested® (TT)16000 and 24000, Goal Zero Venture™ 70, and Griffin Survivor® units either met or exceeded that of sealed 6-V batteries when operating the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suction light traps (with incandescent light on) for an average of 24 h. No significant difference was found when continually operating traps powered by either the TT16000 or Goal Zero Venture 70 units compared with 6-V batteries (at approximately 57 h). The TT24000 unit was the only Li-Ion power bank that exceeded this threshold at an average of approximately 73 h. In field studies, there was no significant difference in species diversity or abundance of mosquitoes among the above 4 power sources when operating CDC light traps for 24 h compared with 6-V batteries. Our results indicate that portable Li-Ion cell phone power banks ≥10,050 mAh may be suitable replacements for 6-V gel lead-acid batteries when operating these light traps, especially if weight and size constraints influence the extent of mosquito surveillance during deployments.

Effectiveness of Aquatain® AMF and Cocobear™ Larvicidal Oil Against Culex quinquefasciatus Larvae and Pupae in an Organically Enhanced Aquatic Habitat.

The efficacy of CocoBear™ Larvicidal Oil and Aquatain® AMF Liquid Mosquito Film against larval and pupal Culex quinquefasciatus was compared (at maximum label field application rates) when applied to concrete troughs treated with composted cow manure. At 1 h posttreatment, CocoBear provided significantly greater reduction of mosquito larvae than Aquatain, but both products were equally effective in producing >97% control at 24 h. Each product provided >98% pupal reduction at 1 h posttreatment, with complete elimination of pupae from troughs at 24 h. CocoBear and Aquatain proved to be equally effective against Cx. quinquefasciatus immatures in organically enriched aquatic habitats.

A Small-Scale Investigation Into the Effect of A Larvicidal Oil On Oviposition Site Preference By Aedes aegypti.

Larvicidal oils can be used to control immature Aedes aegypti and other pestiferous mosquitoes. To test whether oil-based larvicides also act as oviposition deterrents, indoor and semi-field trials were conducted at the Navy Entomology Center of Excellence in Jacksonville, FL. In both studies, treatment cages consisted of oviposition cups lined with seed germination paper as an oviposition substrate and filled with 1-wk-old southern live oak ( Quercus virginiana) leaf litter-infused water. Treatment cages consisted of 2 cups treated with CocoBear™ Mosquito Larvicidal Oil, while 2 cups were untreated. Control cages contained oviposition cups with only oak leaf litter-infused water. Gravid Ae. aegypti were released into cages and allowed to oviposit for 24 h, after which eggs were counted. The number of eggs deposited in treatment and control cages was not significantly different (indoor P = 0.0865; outdoor P = 0.9765). However, the number of eggs deposited in untreated cups was significantly greater than that deposited in treated cups within treatment cages (indoor P < 0.0001; outdoor P = 0.0050). These results suggest that the presence of the larvicidal oil CocoBear may cause gravid female Ae. aegypti to seek alternative oviposition sites.