Journal of Vector Ecology (2009) 34, 232-237

Isabelle Dusfour, Nicole L. Achee, Donald R. Roberts and John P. Grieco (2009)
Contact irritancy and spatial repellency behaviors in Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann (Diptera: Culicidae) collected in Orange Walk, Belize, C.A.
Journal of Vector Ecology 34 (2), 232-237
Abstract: Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann is a vector of malaria in northern Belize. Previous studies have identified behavioral responses in this species when exposed to certain chemicals. We used a high throughput screening system to evaluate the contact irritant and spatial repellency responses exhibited by An. albimanus collected from Orange Walk, Belize, Central America. Anopheles albimanus behavior was significantly altered by a number of key public health insecticides. Significant irritant responses to alphacypermethrin, deltamethrin, permethrin, DDT, and propoxur were recorded, while spatial repellency responses were only elicited by DDT. Malathion resulted in neither a contact irritant or spatial repellency response. These results are in congruence with behavioral patterns previously observed for An. albimanus and for Aedes aegypti in the same system. This study produced baseline data on the behaviors of An. albimanus and confirms that the majority of compounds used as indoor residual sprays may induce premature exiting by An. albimanus in addition to killing the mosquito. This effect would decrease contact with humans and thus disrupt malaria transmission.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Isabelle Dusfour

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Anopheles albimanus		Belize