A Mark-Release-Recapture Study to Estimate Field Performance of Imported Radio-Sterilized Male Aedes albopictus in Albania.

The pathogen transmitting Aedes albopictus mosquito is spreading rapidly in Europe, putting millions of humans and animals at risk. This species is well-established in Albania since its first detection in 1979. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is increasingly gaining momentum worldwide as a component of area-wide-integrated pest management. However, estimating how the sterile males will perform in the field and the size of target populations is crucial for better decision-making, designing and elaborating appropriate SIT pilot trials, and subsequent large-scale release strategies. A mark-release-recapture (MRR) experiment was carried out in Albania within a highly urbanized area in the city of Tirana. The radio-sterilized adults of Ae. albopictus Albania strain males were transported by plane from Centro Agricoltura Ambiente (CAA) mass-production facility (Bologna, Italy), where they were reared. In Albania, sterile males were sugar-fed, marked with fluorescent powder, and released. The aim of this study was to estimate, under field conditions, their dispersal capacity, probability of daily survival and competitiveness, and the size of the target population. In addition, two adult mosquito collection methods were also evaluated: BG-Sentinel traps baited with BG-Lure and CO2, (BGS) versus human landing catch (HLC). The overall recapture rates did not differ significantly between the two methods (2.36% and 1.57% of the total male released were recaptured respectively by BGS and HLC), suggesting a similar trapping efficiency under these conditions. Sterile males traveled a mean distance of 93.85 ± 42.58 m and dispersed up to 258 m. Moreover, they were observed living in the field up to 15 days after release with an average life expectancy of 4.26 ± 0.80 days. Whether mosquitoes were marked with green, blue, yellow, or pink, released at 3.00 p.m. or 6.00 p.m., there was no significant difference in the recapture, dispersal, and survival rates in the field. The Fried competitiveness index was estimated at 0.28. This mark-release-recapture study provided important data for better decision-making and planning before moving to pilot SIT trials in Albania. Moreover, it also showed that both BG-traps and HLC were successful in monitoring adult mosquitoes and provided similar estimations of the main entomological parameters needed.

Current insecticide resistance status in Anopheles sacharovi and Anopheles superpictus populations in former malaria endemic areas of Turkey.

Anopheles sacharovi and Anopheles superpictus have a significant public health importance since they are primer and seconder malaria vectors of Turkey, respectively. As a result of intensive insecticide usage in historically malaria endemic regions of Turkey for long years, insecticide resistance problem has occurred inevitably. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of the detoxification enzymes in insecticide resistance in Turkish An. sacharovi and An. superpictus populations in the Mediterranean and South-eastern Anatolia region where have a malaria history in the past. Bioassay results indicated that both An. sacharovi and An. superpictus populations are resistant to DDT, resistant or possible resistant to organophosphates and carbamates and finally mostly susceptible to pyrethroids. Although bioassays results indicated high DDT resistance in all mosquito populations, biochemical assays did not show significantly high GST levels in all strains. Almost all An. sacharovi and An. superpictus populations had an increased α and ß esterase activity levels while nearly half of the overall populations had an increased p-NPA esterase than the control group. Elevated levels of MFO frequency have been shown in the majority of the populations. Consequently, our results reveal that biochemical resistance mechanisms may play an important role in insecticide resistance in Turkish An. sacharovi and An. superpictus populations. These results give useful cues to monitor the insecticide resistance before it spreads throughout an entire population, enabling early intervention.

[Malathion and propoxur resistance in Turkish populations of the Anopheles maculipennis Meigen (Diptera: Culicidae) and relation to the insensitive acetylcholinesterase]. / Türkiye Anopheles maculipennis Meigen (Diptera: Culicidae) Populasyonlarinda Malathion ve Propoxur Direnci ve Duyarsiz Asetilkolinesteraz ile Iliskisi.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate insecticide resistance related to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) sensitivity and annual changes in An. maculipennis from six different populations. METHODS: Larvae and adult samples of An. maculipennis were collected from six different localities (Birecik, Beysehir, Cankiri, Avariz, Tatarkoy, Derekoy) in Turkey. Insecticide susceptibility against malathion and propoxur was determined. AChE and insensitive AChE levels were measured individually. RESULTS: All Anopheles maculipennis population mortality rates were placed in the suspected resistance category for malathion and propoxur in 2007. While Thrace region populations (Avariz, Tatarkoy, Derekoy) were placed in the surveillance category in 2008, the Birecik, Beysehir, and Cankiri populations were identified in the resistance category. According to the biochemical assay, AChE inhibition rates were high in 2007 and decreased in 2008, except in Derekoy. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that insecticide resistance against malathion and propoxur increased from 2007 to 2008. Biochemical assay results showed that the AChE insensitivity for 2 test years and insensitive AChE frequency had increased annually. Our results also showed that extensive usage of organophosphate and carbamate for pest control in agriculture is a key factor for malathion and propoxur resistance in all tested populations rather than direct usage of mosquito control.

Monitoring of five different insecticide resistance status in Turkish house fly Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) populations and the relationship between resistance and insecticide usage profile.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the resistance status and yearly changes involved for house fly populations from six cities in Turkey. METHODS: Field strains of house fly (Musca domestica L. Diptera: Muscidae) were collected in 2004-2006 from cow farms (Antalya, Izmir) and garbage dumps (Adana, Ankara, Istanbul, Sanliurfa) in Turkey. The resistance levels of first and two generation offspring were determined against five insecticides (cypermethrin, cyphenothrin, deltamethrin, permethrin and fenitrothion). RESULTS: While the highest resistance level for pyrethroid was determined for Antalya 2005 strain (851.97 Cypermethrin) and lowest resistance level for Sanliurfa 2004 strain (2.06 Permethrin), the highest fenitrothion resistance was found in Sanliurfa 2004 strain (50.37) and lowest fenitrothion resistance was found in Adana 2004 strain (6.45). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that pyrethroid resistance levels were very high and determined a decreasing trend for Antalya and Istanbul strains and an increasing trend for Adana and Sanliurfa strain for all tested pyrethroid insecticides from 2004 to 2006. Although cypermethrin and cyphenothrin resistance showed a decreasing trend, deltamethrin and permethrin showed an increasing trend for the Izmir strain from 2004 to 2006. The same trend was also determined for the Ankara strain except for permethrin. Fenitrothion resistance was determined to be lower than pyrethroids, but these levels were still high. Flies from cow farms were generally more resistant than those from garbage dumps. Our results also revealed the presence of strong selective pressure on the populations.