ARS | Publication request: EFFECTS OF SUB-LETHAL EXPOSURE TO BORIC ACID SUGAR BAIT ON ADULT SURVIVAL, HOST-SEEKING AND BLOOD-FEEDING BEHAVIOR, AND REPRODUCTION OF STEGOMYIA ALBOPICTA (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)

Submitted to: American Mosquito Control Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 4, 2005
Publication Date: September 1, 2006
Repository URL: http://apt.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.2987%2F8756-971X%282006%2922%5B464%3AEOSETB%5D2.0.CO%3B2
Citation: Ali, A., Xue, R.D., Barnard, D.R. 2006. Effects of sub-lethal exposure to boric acid sugar bait on adult survival, host-seeking and blood-feeding behavior, and reproduction of stegomyia albopicta (diptera: culicidae). American Mosquito Control Association. 22(3) pp 464-468.

Interpretive Summary: Public concern over the spread of disease by mosquitoes has increased during the West Nile virus epidemic in the U. S. One way to prevent the transmission of mosquito-borne disease agents to animals and humans is to develop controls that augment/replace synthetic chemical pesticides. In this study, scientists at the USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL and the University of Florida determined that feeding stations containing boric acid in a sugar bait solution reduced survival and longevity of male and female Asian Tiger mosquitoes. In female mosquitoes that were not killed after ingesting the bait, host-seeking and blood sucking behavior was suppressed and their ability to lay eggs that hatched was decreased. Boric acid baits have the potential to reduce adult populations of Asian Tiger mosquitoes and may be an economic and efficacious substitute for (or adjunct to) synthetic chemical pesticides for mosquito control on farms, around homes, and in animal/public health programs.

Technical Abstract: Effects of sub-lethal exposure to 0.1% boric acid sugar bait on adult survival, host-seeking and blood-feeding behavior, and reproduction of Stegomyia albopicta were studied in the laboratory. Survival of males as well as females was significantly reduced when exposed to the bait, compared to control adults. The host-seeking and blood-feeding activities in the baited females decreased, but the mean duration of blood-engorgement (probing to voluntary withdrawal of proboscis) was not significantly different between the baited and control females. The landing and biting rates (human forearm) were significantly reduced in the baited females compared to non-baited controls. Fecundity and fertility (based on number of laid eggs/female and % egg hatch, respectively) in the baited females were significantly reduced and ovarian development retarded. Sub-lethal exposure to sugar-based boric acid bait has the potential to reduce adult populations of St. albopicta.