ARS | Publication request: BOOK CHAPTER: BIOMETRICS AND BEHAVIOR IN MOSQUITO REPELLENT ASSAY. FOR: INSECT REPELLENTS: PRINCIPLES, METHODS, AND USE. CRC PRESS, BOCA RATON.

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: November 18, 2005
Publication Date: March 1, 2006
Citation: Barnard, D.R., Xue, R.D. 2006. Book chapter: Biometrics and behavior in mosquito repellent assay. For: insect repellents: principles, methods, and use. CRC Press, Boca Raton.

Technical Abstract: The discovery and evaluation of mosquito repellents is made using a process called biological assay (bioassay). The identification of mosquito repellent activity in bioassays is complicated because many types of bioassay systems are used and because the methods for rearing and manipulating mosquito specimens prior to, and during, testing are not standardized. These factors contribute to unreliable results in repellent bioassays and to variable mosquito responses during repellent evaluation. In response to this problem, scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida were asked to prepare a book chapter for CRC Press that discusses and evaluates the effects of mosquito behavior on the accuracy and reliability of results from repellent bioassays. The chapter comprises five sections including an introduction and references. Topics include the influence of physical and biological factors in mosquito repellent bioassays, methods for reducing variation in repellent bioassays, and procedures for the effective management and oversight of repellent bioassays in the laboratory and field. Emphasis is placed on the need for procedural consistency, regardless of the bioassay method that is used, and for careful rearing and handling of mosquito specimens. There are 65 references, four tables and three figures.