The efficacy of a combined larvicide–adulticide in ultralow volume and fumigant canister formulations in controlling the dengue vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Northwest of Argentina

Abstract

The efficacy of an ultralow volume formulation (ULV) and fumigant canister, containing both permethrin and pyriproxyfen, was compared with that of standard permethrin applications in a field assay conducted in Banda del Río Salí, Tucumán (north-western Argentina). Five treatment areas were established: first area was sprayed with a ULV formulation of 10 % permethrin, a second area was treated using a fumigant canister containing 10 % permethrin and 3 % pyriproxyfen, the third area was sprayed with a ULV formulation of 10 % permethrin and 3 % pyriproxyfen, the fourth area with ULV formulation of 10 % permethrin using a portable aerosol generator and the fifth area was a left untreated area. Immature and adult Aedes aegypti individuals placed in containers and sentinel cages were positioned within the treated and control areas. The effects of treatment and time on larval, pupal and adult survival were tested. We also investigated the effects of treatment and time on the numbers of larval and pupal deaths, on the proportion of larvae that metamorphosed into pupae and adults, and on the proportion of dead adults. Larval A. aegypti survivorship in 250 mL containers revealed a significant treatment effect and significant treatment × time interaction 2 and 24 h after the application of the ULV treatment with 10 % permethrin using the portable aerosol generator. The number of dead larvae in 20 L containers differed significantly by treatment and by time. ULV treatment with 10 % permethrin and 10 % permethrin plus 3 % pyriproxyfen using the cold fogger truck mount ULV resulted in the greatest numbers of dead larvae; most larvae died 2 weeks after application. Adult A. aegypti mortality in all treatments did not differ significantly 2 and 24 h after application. In addition, we found no significant differences in adult mortality between cages exposed at 3 m and those at 6 m from the ULV application line. However, there was a significant difference in adult mortality between the 10 % permethrin treatment applied with cold fogger truck mount ULV and that applied using the portable aerosol generator (P<0.001). The larval index known as Breteau index (BI) was higher before treatment than after treatment in different areas. After the treatments, the lowest value of BI was observed in the area treated with the fumigant canister formulation, and a long-lasting effect was observed with the formulation of 10 % permethrin and 3 % pyriproxyfen.