Novel aryl amide spatial repellent significantly reduces collections of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in a wooded north Florida suburban residential yard

Authors: Gibson, Seth; Aldridge, Robert; BAYER, BARBARA - Orise Fellow; Bowman, Adam; Golden, Frances; BLOOMQUIST, JEFFREY - University Of Florida; LINTHICUM, KENNETH - Retired ARS Employee; Kline, Daniel; Norris, Edmund

Submitted to: Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2025
Publication Date: 6/2/2025
Citation: Gibson, S., Aldridge, R.L., Bayer, B.E., Bowman, A.R., Golden, F.V., Bloomquist, J., Linthicum, K.J., Kline, D.L., Norris, E.J. 2025. Novel aryl amide spatial repellent significantly reduces collections of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in a wooded north Florida suburban residential yard. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. 41(2):111-114. https://doi.org/10.2987/24-7200.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2987/24-7200

Interpretive Summary: Mosquitoes like Aedes albopictus in the United States can transmit high threat pathogens such as yellow fever, dengue, and chikungunya to humans. These species are becoming more widespread and harder to control with traditional mosquito management techniques such as spraying pesticides. Mosquitoes spreading disease to humans makes outdoor activities more dangerous to people than they should be and new techniques and chemical approaches are needed. One approach that is gaining traction is to disperse spatial repellents in perimeters around areas where people conduct any kind of outdoor activity in or near mosquito habitat. We investigated efficacy of a new spatial repellent compound – called Compound 53 – against natural populations of Ae. albopictus in a residential yard where Aedes albopictus mosquitoes (Asian tiger mosquitoes) were abundant and biting, We observed significant reduction in these mosquitoes when the new compound was present. We conclude that Compound 53 demonstrates potential and should be further investigated as a spatial repellent to protect humans from an important vector mosquito during outdoor activity.

Technical Abstract: Aedes albopictus is a day biting, opportunistic mosquito feeding on humans and other mammals and birds, leading to its role in transmitting several high threat pathogens such as yellow fever, dengue, and chikungunya. Increasing evidence of widespread resistance in this species coupled with their use of cryptic immature and adult habitat near human dwellings pose significant obstacles to effective and sustainable reduction of this species to protect human health. We investigated efficacy against natural populations of Ae. albopictus of a novel aryl amide spatial repellent – named Compound 53 – that in previous work had shown high capability to repel Aedes aegypti in a laboratory environment. We observed significant reduction in collections of Ae. albopictus in a wooded north Florida residential yard when Compound 53 was present. We conclude that this aryl amide demonstrates potential and should be further investigated as a spatial repellent to protect humans from an important vector mosquito during outdoor activity.