ARS | Publication request: Aerial ULV application of permethrin against adult mosquitoes over open field and medium density canopy habitat in a hot-temperate zone

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 1, 2012
Publication Date: March 1, 2012
Citation: Britch, S.C., Linthicum, K., Aldridge, R.L., Walker, T.W., Farooq, M., Fritz, B.K., Hoffmann, W.C., Parker, C.T., Breidenbaugh, M.S., Kerce, J. 2012. Aerial ULV application of permethrin against adult mosquitoes over open field and medium density canopy habitat in a hot-temperate zone. Meeting Abstract. p.39.

Technical Abstract: Although aerial ULV application of adulticides is a common adult mosquito control strategy, not enough is known about the fate of the pesticide or its efficacy over different habitats. Dye labeling of droplets is used to evaluate ULV applications, and, by inference, their efficacy. Placement of caged sentinel mosquitoes in the target area may also be used to confirm impact and efficacy of the pesticide. Simultaneous use of dye labeling and sentinel cages is less common. Previous studies of ground ULV applications with dye-labeled pesticides have shown that droplet collection and dye analysis results may not match patterns of mortality in sentinel mosquitoes co-located with droplet collection devices. In this study we investigated ULV applications of dye-labeled permethrin from a military aerial spray platform. We deployed an extensive grid of droplet collection surfaces co-located with caged sentinel mosquitoes across 325 acres of open field and moderate density woodland canopy habitats in a hot temperate region of north central Florida. Patterns of droplet density and droplet spectrum, dye deposition (i.e., inferred active ingredient concentration per unit area on collection surfaces), and mosquito mortality were not cross-predictive and were not spatially congruent. Canopy habitat did inhibit deposition and mortality for some spray runs compared to open field habitat; however, wind patterns could overcome the resistance of canopy and lead to high deposition and mortality.