Field efficacy of triflumuron against Aedes and Culex mosquitoes in temperate Argentina

Abstract

Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens s.l. (Linnaeus, 1762 and 1758, respectively) (Diptera: Culicidae) are important vectors of diseases to humans and a growing public health concern. In order to contribute to the control of mosquito vectors by low environmental impact approaches we assessed the susceptibility of natural populations of container-breeding mosquitoes to triflumuron, an insect growth regulator, in temperate Argentina. A field trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two doses (0.5 ppm and 1 ppm) of triflumuron (SC 48%) against natural populations of Ae. aegypti and Culex spp. immatures in flower vases of four cemeteries. The results demonstrated the susceptibility of both target mosquitoes to triflumuron in field conditions. For Ae. aegypti, dose-dependent reductions were achieved in the presence of pupae and the percentage of water-holding containers harbouring L3–4 and/or pupae, whereas the larvae abundance was equally reduced for both doses. For Culex spp., similar levels of reduction of larvae abundance and pupae presence were achieved with both doses. Significant effects on the response variables measured were recorded up to six to eight weeks post-intervention. Bimonthly applying 1 ppm triflumuron in the context of an integrated mosquito management should achieve a lasting control of Ae. aegypti and Culex spp. in small artificial containers with minimal environmental impacts.