Effects of sodium chloride on oviposition behavior of aedes albopictus

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of sodium chloride (NaCl) as an oviposition repellent for Aedes albopictus females. Oviposition responses to 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.25%, and 1.5% solutions of pure NaCl were evaluated over 8 days using ovitraps. Gravid Ae. albopictus females showed a reduction in oviposition at all NaCl concentrations. Compared with controls, the inhibition of oviposition ranged from 84.4% to 97.0% at concentrations above 0.5% NaCl. We also show that NaCl is effective for oviposition control of gravid females when laying their overwintering eggs. Our results showed that a 0.5% NaCl solution is effective for use as an oviposition repellent against Ae. albopictus females.