Pest Management Science (2016) 72, 618-628

Kevin Gorman, Josué Young, Lleysa Pineda, Ricardo Márquez, Nestor Sosa, Damaris Bernal, Rolando Torres, Yamilitzel Soto, Renaud Lacroix, Neil Naish, Paul Kaiser, Karla Tepedino, Gwilym Philips, Cecilia Kosmann and Lorenzo Cáceres (2016)
Short-term suppression of Aedes aegypti using genetic control does not facilitate Aedes albopictus
Pest Management Science 72 (3), 618-628
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Under permit from the National Biosafety Commission for the use of genetically modified organisms, releases of a genetically engineered self-limiting strain of Aedes aegypti (OX513A) were used to suppress urban pest Ae. aegypti in West Panama. Experimental goals were to assess the effects on a coexisting population of Ae. albopictus and examine operational parameters with relevance to environmental impact.
RESULTS
Ae. albopictus populations were shown to be increasing year upon year at each of three study sites, potentially reflecting a broader-scale incursion into the area. Ae. albopictus abundance was unaffected by a sustained reduction in Ae. aegypti by up to 93% through repeated releases of OX513A. Males accounted for 99.99% of released OX513A, resulting in a sustained mating fraction of 75%. Mean mating competitiveness of OX513A was 0.14. The proportion of OX513A in the local environment decreased by 95% within 25 days of the final release.
CONCLUSIONS
There was no evidence for species replacement of Ae. aegypti by Ae. albopictus over the course of this study. No unintentional environmental impacts or elevated operational risks were observed. The potential for this emerging technology to mitigate against disease outbreaks before they become established is discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Kevin Gorman

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aedes albopictus		Panama
	Aedes aegypti		Panama