Body size and wing shape measurements as quality indicators of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes destined for field release

Yeap, Heng Lin, Endersby, Nancy M., Johnson, Petrina H., Ritchie, Scott A., and Hoffmann, Ary A. (2013) Body size and wing shape measurements as quality indicators of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes destined for field release. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 89 (1). pp. 78-92.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.12-0719
 
67
4


Abstract

There is increasing interest in rearing modified mosquitoes for mass release to control vector-borne diseases, particularly Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti for suppression of dengue. Successful introductions require release of high quality mosquitoes into natural populations. Potential indicators of quality are body size and shape. We tested to determine if size, wing/thorax ratio, and wing shape are associated with field fitness of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti. Compared with field-collected mosquitoes, released mosquitoes were larger in size, with lower size variance and different wing shape but similar in wing-thorax ratio and its associated variance. These differences were largely attributed to nutrition and to a minor extent to wMel Wolbachia infection. Survival potential of released female mosquitoes was similar to those from the field. Females at oviposition sites tended to be larger than those randomly collected from BG-Sentinel traps. Rearing conditions should thus aim for large size without affecting wing/thorax ratios.

Item ID: 29452
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1476-1645
Funders: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia, CSIRO Climate Change Flagship program, Australian Research Council (ARC)
Date Deposited: 05 Nov 2013 23:59
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1108 Medical Microbiology > 110804 Medical Virology @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920404 Disease Distribution and Transmission (incl. Surveillance and Response) @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 4
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page