Gravid culex pipiens exhibit a reduced susceptibility to ultra-low volume adult control treatments under field conditions

Abstract

In July and August of 2018, a field trial was conducted to examine the effectiveness of the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District's operational ultra-low volume (ULV) adulticide program. Two study sites were selected in Skokie, IL, and treated by truck-based ULV with d-phenothrin and prallethrin synergized with piperonyl butoxide over the course of a month. Natural mosquito populations were sampled via Biogents (BG)counter baited with CO2 or Alfalfa infusion. The results from this study demonstrate that host-seeking mosquitoes were reduced by 65.3% after ULV treatment while gravid mosquitoes were reduced by only 29.2%. In addition, host-seeking mosquitoes rebounded dramatically (303.1%) 3 days posttreatment while gravid mosquitoes did not (5.7%). Based on the differential effect between gravid and host-seeking mosquitoes, we concluded that the gonotrophic cycle and timing of ULV adulticide operations are important factors affecting the resistance of West Nile virus vectors to pyrethroid exposures.