[Mosquito Control] Mosquito News and Notes

UC Riverside Studies Birth Control for Mosquitoes
Female mosquitoes require energy for their egg development, which they acquire from vertebrate blood. But by sucking on blood, they become vectors of numerous disease pathogens of human and domestic animals. If the mechanisms that govern their egg production are better understood, novel approaches to controlling the reproduction and population of mosquitoes can be devised.

Now a research team led by Alexander Raikhel, a distinguished professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside, has received a five-year $2.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the molecular basis of hormonal regulation of mosquito reproduction.

The researchers will focus on deciphering the genes involved in mediating the action of hormones involved during egg production in mosquitoes — specifically, Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that spreads dengue and yellow fever.

“What we are setting out to do is introduce birth control, based on hormones, in mosquitoes,” said Raikhel, an expert in the molecular biology of mosquitoes and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. “Our task is to find a way to interrupt the host-seeking behavior of mosquitoes by manipulating their hormones and thus interrupting their egg development. With egg development halted, the population of mosquitoes would eventually collapse.”

Nearly 2.5 billion people are at risk for contracting dengue fever. Each year, there are 100 million cases of dengue in the world. Yellow fever results in 30,000 deaths per year; about 200,000 cases are reported each year.

Raikhel explained that a hormone unique to insects, called the “juvenile hormone,” plays a key role in transforming a young female adult to a mature one that is capable of blood feeding, egg development, and thus spreading pathogens. The absence of this hormone in the body of the female mosquito impedes the growth of the mosquito to the adult stage. For the mosquito to reach the adult stage, levels of this hormone must first rise and then drop.

“This hormone is crucial for egg development,” Raikhel said. “If we can figure out how its levels can be manipulated so that egg development is prevented, we can reduce the number of mosquitoes.”

Each mosquito cell has a receptor for the juvenile hormone. The exact nature of this receptor, however, has eluded researchers for many years.

“In this project, we plan also to understand the structure and function of this receptor,” Raikhel said. “One reason this receptor has been very difficult to study is that, unlike other receptors like it, it does not lie on the surface of the cell. Instead it lies inside the cell.”

Raikhel’s lab will attempt to block the action of the juvenile hormone’s receptors.

“Several levels of interception can be designed in the lab so that no egg development in mosquitoes results,” he said.

While his lab will focus only on Aedes aegypti for this particular project, the methods developed can be applied to other disease-spreading mosquitoes.

Raikhel is recognized internationally for his significant contributions to insect science and vector biology. A leader in insect and mosquito reproduction and immunity, he is the author or coauthor of more than 160 research papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals and books.

His research team includes the following researchers at UC Riverside: Tusar Saha, Zhen Zou and Sang Woon Shin, all of whom work in Raikhel’s lab; and Thomas Girke, an associate professor of bioinformatics.

AMVAC Licenses Bti Briquets from Summit Chemical
American Vanguard Corporation announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, AMVAC Chemical Corporation, has licensed rights to Summit Chemical Corporation’s Bti Briquets for the global professional mosquito larvicide market.

Bti Briquets are a unique, sustained release formulation of the naturally occurring bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), a safe bio-rational larvicide, according to AMVAC. This product provides a versatile, efficient, cost-effective and environmentally compliant treatment that has contributed to successful larvicide control for more than three decades in U.S. and international public health markets.

Vince Pascarelli, AMVAC’s director of International Business Development said, “This is a strategic growth area for AMVAC, and we are pleased to be aligned with Summit, a well-respected leader in the production and supply of mosquito larvicides. This agreement will form the cornerstone of a strategic partnership with Summit which is expected to provide AMVAC with a pipeline of new larvicides manufactured by Summit for the public health mosquito control market.”

Jeff Alvis, business manager for AMVAC’s Environmental Products business added, “AMVAC Environmental Products’ well known Dibrom Concentrate and Trumpet EC are recognized as the most effective products for adult mosquito control. The company’s entry into the larvicide market broadens our offering for existing customers and provides the opportunity to reach new customers in domestic markets and abroad. The prospect of developing several new larvicide products in collaboration with Summit, will provide AMVAC with a very comprehensive set of products for mosquito control programs worldwide.”

Jonathan Cohen, president of Summit Chemical, added, “Since the introduction of Bti Briquets, Summit has solely manufactured, marketed and serviced this product to the vector control industry. While the Bti Briquet product will remain unchanged, AMVAC is positioned to provide a greater level of service to the professional public health markets through their geographical reach and resource capacity. We expect this alliance to benefit our two companies through increased market penetration, new product development and also provide the global vector control and public health community with excellent product availability, timely application information and responsive customer service.”

MGK Offers a Variety of Insecticides for Mosquitoes
Riptide Water-based Pyrethrin ULV is an optimized formulation, specially designed to deliver fast knockdown and kill of mosquitoes when used in residential misting systems. Riptide effectively controls mosquitoes and other flying insects and is easy on ornamental and landscape plants.

Sector Misting Concentrate is a water-based insecticide designed for misting systems. Sector provides knockdown, kill and residual control of flying insect problems, including mosquitoes, flies and other nuisance insects.

VamPyre Misting Concentrate is a water-based microemulsion designed to provide long-term stability in water dilutions. VamPyre is ideal for hard-to-kill populations or where insecticide resistance is suspected. For more information about any of the products in MGK’s portfolio visit www.MGKprocom.

Outdoor Misting Systems Available from MistAway
MistAway Systems is a manufacturer of outdoor misting systems for control of mosquitoes, spiders, “no see ’ems” and other insects. MistAway dealers have installed more than 18,000 of its systems in the U.S. and abroad. MistAway is committed to innovation; its design and engineering is primarily driven by the ideas, experiences and feedback of dealers. MistAway is actively seeking new dealers in markets all over the country. MistAway provides its dealers with:

• Leading technology and reliability
• Unmatched technical and sales support
• Reliable, quick, friendly service
• Comprehensive, practical training
• Easy, low-risk entry into the business

For more information visit www.mistaway.com.

Zoëcon Offers a Wide Spectrum of Mosquito Control Products
Zoëcon’s mosquito control product offerings range from long-lasting insect growth regulators (IGRs) for standing water to immediate knockdown perimeter control. Products include:

Altosid Pro-G Insect Growth Regulator – The active ingredient in Altosid Pro-G, (S)-methoprene, prevents mosquito larvae from developing into breeding, biting adults. It’s a granule that comes in an easy-to-use shaker bottle to provide low cost, extended mosquito control for up to 30 days.

Altosid 30-Day Briquets – Ideal for hard to reach areas, a single Altosid Briquet can provide consistent slow release larvae control per 100 square feet of surface water. The active ingredient, (S)-methoprene, will not harm waterfowl, mammals, or beneficial predatory insects, Zoëcon says.

Mavrik Perimeter — The active ingredient in Mavrik Perimeter is a broad-spectrum pyrethroid that not only provides quick knockdown of adult mosquitoes, but also controls a plethora of pests that infest the perimeters of commercial and residential buildings.

To learn more visit Zoecon.com.

Bayer Launches FFAST Bti, a New Mosquito Larvicide
Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience LP, recently announced the launch of FFAST Bti — a larvicide with proprietary “Film Forming Active Spray Technology” which controls mosquito larvae up to 300 feet from low volume (LV) and ultra-low volume (ULV) spray equipment.

FFAST technology retards evaporation of micronized spray droplets due to a special alcohol film that forms around each aqueous droplet within seconds after application. Because the droplets last longer, they carry farther, providing control at up to three times the range when compared to other Bti applications, according to Bayer.

“FFAST Bti will enable applicators to be more effective and efficient, saving both time and money,” said Gordon Morrison, Vector Business manager for Bayer Environmental Science. “We’ve taken Bayer technology that’s proven to enhance the effectiveness of adulticides and applied it to the first ever Bti larvicide designed for ULV application.”

Morrison added, “Bayer is dedicated to developing solutions that help professionals control mosquitoes in the most effective and sustainable way possible.”

Key benefits of FFAST Bti larvicide include:

• A naturally occurring larvicide, safe for use in sensitive environments
• Fast control within 24 hours
• May be used “neat” or diluted with water
• More efficient method of larviciding to treat hard-to-reach larval habitats
• Can be applied by ULV and LV equipment as well as backpack or handheld compressed sprayers

For more information about FFAST Bti visit www.BackedbyBayer.com.

Monster Mosquito Systems Introduces a New Automated Mosquito Repellent System
The Mosquito Sentry, a new product from Monster Mosquito Systems, is an automated mosquito repellent system that disperses a vapor of 100% natural plant oils — geraniol and cedar oil (both 25b list materials).

The product protects an area up to 2,000 square feet and repels a variety of pests, including mosquitoes. According to the manufacturer, the unit is safe for use around people, pets and food. The unit comes fully assembled, the repellent is ready to use and all operators do is pour the repellent in, plug it in and turn it on. It begins repelling mosquitoes immediately, the manufacturer reports.