5 research outputs found
Courtship activity, copulation & insemination success in a mosquito vector fed a herbal aphrodisiac: Implications for sterile insect technology
Background & objectives: In sterile insect technology (SIT), mating competitiveness is a pre-condition
for the reduction of target pest populations and a crucial parameter for judging efficacy. Still, current
SIT trials are being hindered by decreased effectiveness due to reduced sexual performance of released
males. Here, we explored the possible role of a herbal aphrodisiac in boosting the mating activity of
Aedes aegypti.
Methods: Males were fed one of two diets in this study: experimental extract of Eurycoma longifolia
(MSAs) and sugar only (MSOs). Differences in life span, courtship latency, copulation activity and
mating success were examined between the two groups.
Results: No deaths occurred among MSA and MSO males. Life span of MSOs was similar to that of
MSAs. The courtship latency of MSAs was shorter than that of MSOs (P<0.01). MSAs had greater
copulation success than MSOs (P<0.001). In all female treatments, MSAs mated more than MSOs, but
the differences in rate were significant only in the highest female density (P<0.05). In MSAs, mating
success varied significantly with female density (P<0.01), with the 20-female group (P<0.01) having the
lowest rate. Single MSA had better mating success at the two lowest female densities. In MSOs, there
were no significant differences in mating success rate between the different female densities.
Interpretation & conclusions: Our results suggested that the herbal aphrodisiac, E. longifolia, stimulated
the sexual activity of Ae. aegypti and may be useful for improving the mating competitiveness of sterile
males, thus improving SIT programme
Anti-oviposition activities of used sock media against a dengue vector: prospects of eco-friendly control and solutions to pollution
Yearly, huge amounts of sock refuse are discarded
into the environment. Socks contain many molecules, and
worn ones, which are rich in smell-causing bacteria, have a strong influence on animals’ behaviors. But the impacts of sock odor on the oviposition behavior of dengue vectors are unknown. We assessed whether Aedes albopictus changes its oviposition activity in response to the presence of used socks extract (USEx) in potential breeding grounds, using choice and no-choice bioassays (NCB). When furnished even chances to oviposit in two sites holding USEx and two others containing water (control), Ae. albopictus deposited significantly
less eggs in USEx than in water sites. A similar pattern
of oviposition preference was also observed when there were more oviposition options in water. When there were greater
oviposition opportunities in USEx sites, Ae. albopictus
oviposited preferentially in water. Females laid significantly
more eggs during the NCB involving water than USEx. Also,
significantly more mature eggs were retained by females in
the NCB with USEx than in that with water. These observations
strongly suggest the presence of molecules with either
repellent or deterrent activities against Ae. albopictus females
and provide an impetus to advocate the integration of used
socks in dengue control programs. Such applications could
be a realistic end-of-life recourse to reroute this waste from
landfill
Courtship activity, copulation & insemination success in a mosquito vector fed a herbal aphrodisiac: Implications for sterile insect technology
Background & objectives: In sterile insect technology (SIT), mating competitiveness is a pre-condition for the reduction of target pest populations and a crucial parameter for judging efficacy. Still, current SIT trials are being hindered by decreased effectiveness due to reduced sexual performance of released males. Here, we explored the possible role of a herbal aphrodisiac in boosting the mating activity of Aedes aegypti.
Methods: Males were fed one of two diets in this study: experimental extract of Eurycoma longifolia (MSAs) and sugar only (MSOs). Differences in life span, courtship latency, copulation activity and mating success were examined between the two groups.
Results: No deaths occurred among MSA and MSO males. Life span of MSOs was similar to that of MSAs. The courtship latency of MSAs was shorter than that of MSOs (P<0.01). MSAs had greater copulation success than MSOs (P<0.001). In all female treatments, MSAs mated more than MSOs, but the differences in rate were significant only in the highest female density (P<0.05). In MSAs, mating success varied significantly with female density (P<0.01), with the 20-female group (P<0.01) having the lowest rate. Single MSA had better mating success at the two lowest female densities. In MSOs, there were no significant differences in mating success rate between the different female densities.
Interpretation & conclusions: Our results suggested that the herbal aphrodisiac, E. longifolia, stimulated the sexual activity of Ae. aegypti and may be useful for improving the mating competitiveness of sterile males, thus improving SIT programmes