Effects of Selection to Diflubenzuron and <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> Var. <i>Israelensis</i> on the Overwintering Successes of <i>Aedes albopictus</i> (Diptera: Culicidae)

• Main Authors: Charalampos S. Ioannou, Christos Hadjichristodoulou, Varvara A. Mouchtouri, Nikos T. Papadopoulos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
• Series: Insects
• Subjects: Asian tiger mosquito; eggs diapause; insecticides efficacy; mosquito control
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/9/822

<i>Aedes albopictus</i> is an invasive mosquito species responsible for local transmission of chikungunya and dengue viruses in Europe. In the absence of available treatments, insecticides-based control remains one of the most important viable strategies to prevent emerging problems. Diflubenzuron (DFB) and <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> var. <i>israelensis</i> (<i>Bti</i>) are among the most commonly used larvicides for <i>Ae</i>. <i>albopictus</i> control with consequent concerns for the potential development of resistance. Studies on the resistance emergence in <i>Ae</i>. <i>albopictus</i> and its persistence in the wild to both DFB and <i>Bti</i> are essential for the efficient and sustainable planning of the control programmes. In this context, larvae from a recently laboratory established population were subjected to increasing selective pressure for nine successive generations using both DFB and <i>Bti</i>. The resistance levels and the overwintering success of the selected populations relative to control (colonies that received no selection) were determined. Results revealed an 8.5- and 1.6-fold increase on the resistance levels following selection with DFB and <i>Bti,</i> respectively. The selection process to both larvicides had no apparent impacts on the overwintering capability relative to control, suggesting the successful persistence of the selected individuals in the wild on an annual base.