Successful integration of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) into area-wide programmes against many pest species has led to resurgence in interest to develop this area-wide control strategy against mosquitoes and the diseases these transmit. Genetic control of mosquitoes to curb disease transmission is not new, and has been tested with varying degrees of success. SIT was successfully implemented in a pilot project against the malaria mosquito Anopheles albimanus in El Salvador in the 1970s. Since then, scientific advances in the fields of molecular biology, mosquito ecology and behaviour, as well as GIS technology, have improved prospects for mosquito SIT development. This CRP will focus on key gaps in knowledge on adult male mosquito biology, and particularly those factors that affect the ability of males to attract, court, and inseminate females in the field. The ultimate goal of the CRP is to establish the specific biological and behavioural determinants that contribute to male mosquito sexual competitiveness. Tools needed to study the fate of released males, particularly sampling tools and methods for marking, also form part of the project.
To assist Member States in achieving sustainable Mosquito-borne disease control/elimination, through development of area-wide SIT programmes against selected disease vectors. To advance the understanding of critical (behavioural) ecological components of male mosquito biology so as to be capable to produce high quality and sexually competitive sterile males in mass-rearing facilities. Basic and applied research contributes to the foreseen implementation of An. arabiensis and other mosquito SIT through 1) Understanding male bionomics and physiology under field conditions; 2) Maximising mating ability in the laboratory by understanding mating behaviour in field settings.
1. Mosquito male pre-mating conditions
2. Mosquito mating systems
3. Contribution of molecular/chemical approaches to the understanding of male mosquito mating behavior
The sharing of expertise and knowledge of male mosquito biology and behaviour has been highly desirable. Over the CRP period (6 years), researchers from around 17 countries exchanged results on the topic and a solid network was created around critical questions necessary to assess the use of novel approaches (SIT, IIT, transgenic) to control mosquitoes. Knowledge gained, practical procedures and standard protocols developed during the CRP were distributed among the participants to be able to conduct comparison when possible. Technology transfer for the dosage of metabolic resources (ie, sugars, glycogen, lipids and proteins) has been done between Burkina Faso, Benin, France and La Réunion. Moreover, staff from Burkina Faso visited La Réunion for skill transfer in swarm sampling.
The CRP was extremely relevant to the advancement towards mosquito SIT implementation. Focusing research on male mosquito biology and behaviour was crucial for the implementation of future control programmes in Member States and highly relevant to the mosquito project 2.1.4.4. While data on male mosquito biology remain “small” and “scarce” the CRP succeeded in creating research groups focussing on aspects allowing the assessment of the quality of released insects according to their rearing and also identifying male biology and behaviour traits that will help establishing mosquito surveillance and assessing the efficacy of a released programme. Effectively the CRP brought the participants together, resulting in goal-oriented applied research that produced tangible results. In addition to standardized protocols and guidelines developed during the CRP, dissemination of the results will be ensured by the publication of a special issue of a peer-reviewed journal providing universal access to the advances made. The progress obtained in the CRP highly contributes to the feasibility studies for the use of SIT in an AW-IPM to control mosquito populations in Sudan, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Benin, Italy, French Polynesia, Brazil, and La Réunion.