Suppression of Aedes aegypti by the sterile insect technique on Captiva Island, Florida, USA from 2020 to 2022.

Aedes aegypti, an aggressive nuisance biter and the primary vector for numerous arboviruses, such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika, presents significant control challenges due to its ability to thrive in urban environments, escapes insecticide treatment by using cryptic resting and oviposition sites...

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Main Authors: Rachel Morreale, Danilo O Carvalho, Steven Stenhouse, Johanna Bajonero, Rui Pereira, Daniel A Hahn, Aaron Lloyd, David F Hoel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-07-01
Series:PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013256
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author Rachel Morreale
Danilo O Carvalho
Steven Stenhouse
Johanna Bajonero
Rui Pereira
Daniel A Hahn
Aaron Lloyd
David F Hoel
author_facet Rachel Morreale
Danilo O Carvalho
Steven Stenhouse
Johanna Bajonero
Rui Pereira
Daniel A Hahn
Aaron Lloyd
David F Hoel
author_sort Rachel Morreale
collection DOAJ
description Aedes aegypti, an aggressive nuisance biter and the primary vector for numerous arboviruses, such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika, presents significant control challenges due to its ability to thrive in urban environments, escapes insecticide treatment by using cryptic resting and oviposition sites, and development of resistance to chemical mosquito control products being used routinely. From 2020 to 2022, the Lee County Mosquito Control District (LCMCD) employed the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to test a new approach in its integrated mosquito management toolbox, targeting the population suppression of Ae. aegypti on Captiva Island, Florida. Over 24.1 million sterile males were released across three phases, covering up to 142 hectares. The study demonstrated a population reduction of up to 79% in wild adults and a 59% decline in egg densities in the primary intervention area. While population control was successful, an influx of wild females from untreated zones posed ongoing challenges to complete suppression in areas close to non-intervention areas. This supported a need for an area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) approach. These results underscore SIT's potential as a critical tool in integrated mosquito management strategies and emphasize practical application.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
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spelling doaj-art-664262fe353847dab8f23f08ddeb1ddb2025-08-20T03:23:34ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352025-07-01197e001325610.1371/journal.pntd.0013256Suppression of Aedes aegypti by the sterile insect technique on Captiva Island, Florida, USA from 2020 to 2022.Rachel MorrealeDanilo O CarvalhoSteven StenhouseJohanna BajoneroRui PereiraDaniel A HahnAaron LloydDavid F HoelAedes aegypti, an aggressive nuisance biter and the primary vector for numerous arboviruses, such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika, presents significant control challenges due to its ability to thrive in urban environments, escapes insecticide treatment by using cryptic resting and oviposition sites, and development of resistance to chemical mosquito control products being used routinely. From 2020 to 2022, the Lee County Mosquito Control District (LCMCD) employed the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to test a new approach in its integrated mosquito management toolbox, targeting the population suppression of Ae. aegypti on Captiva Island, Florida. Over 24.1 million sterile males were released across three phases, covering up to 142 hectares. The study demonstrated a population reduction of up to 79% in wild adults and a 59% decline in egg densities in the primary intervention area. While population control was successful, an influx of wild females from untreated zones posed ongoing challenges to complete suppression in areas close to non-intervention areas. This supported a need for an area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) approach. These results underscore SIT's potential as a critical tool in integrated mosquito management strategies and emphasize practical application.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013256
spellingShingle Rachel Morreale
Danilo O Carvalho
Steven Stenhouse
Johanna Bajonero
Rui Pereira
Daniel A Hahn
Aaron Lloyd
David F Hoel
Suppression of Aedes aegypti by the sterile insect technique on Captiva Island, Florida, USA from 2020 to 2022.
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
title Suppression of Aedes aegypti by the sterile insect technique on Captiva Island, Florida, USA from 2020 to 2022.
title_full Suppression of Aedes aegypti by the sterile insect technique on Captiva Island, Florida, USA from 2020 to 2022.
title_fullStr Suppression of Aedes aegypti by the sterile insect technique on Captiva Island, Florida, USA from 2020 to 2022.
title_full_unstemmed Suppression of Aedes aegypti by the sterile insect technique on Captiva Island, Florida, USA from 2020 to 2022.
title_short Suppression of Aedes aegypti by the sterile insect technique on Captiva Island, Florida, USA from 2020 to 2022.
title_sort suppression of aedes aegypti by the sterile insect technique on captiva island florida usa from 2020 to 2022
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013256
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