Development of Standardised Mass Rearing Systems for Male Anopheles Arabiensis Mosquitoes
Closed for Proposals
Project Type
Coordinated Research ProjectProject Code
G34001
CRP
1345
Approved Date
9 July 2004Project Status
ClosedStart Date
15 September 2005Expected End Date
15 September 2011Completed Date
15 September 2011Description
Successful application of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) against many pest species has lead to resurgence in interest to develop this area-wide control/elimination strategy against African malaria vectors. Genetic control of mosquitoes to curb disease transmission is not new, and has been applied 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 mosquito mass rearing and adult maintenance, and includes aspects of aquaculture, aquatic microbiology, colonization and mosquito genetics. The ultimate goal of the CRP is to develop and standardize cost-efficient mass production procedures for male Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes with fitness and competitiveness levels that match their wild counterparts.
Objectives
Any genetic control programme is a process, beginning with colonization and mass rearing of males and females, followed by shipping and finally release of the males in the target population. The overall objective of the CRP on Development of Standardised Mass Rearing System for male Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes was developing colonization and rearing methods for this and other mosquito species, irradiation procedures and other processes prior to field releases. The ultimate goal was to assist Member States in establishing mosquito colonies and assess their ability to study the use of area-wide SIT suppression programmes in their country
Specific Objectives
1. EVALUATING COLONIZATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES.
2. DEVELOPING A MASS PRODUCTION SYSTEM
3. OPTIMIZING HOLDING, PACKAGING AND TRANSPORTATION
Impact
The development of cost-effective mass rearing equipment and diet has been highly desirable. The technology transfer and the implementation of such mass rearing tools are a prerequisite for effective SIT programmes for mosquito species, leading to reduced chemical applications to the environment, and protecting human populations to virus and parasite exposures. Knowledge gained and practical procedures developed during this CRP have already been transferred to counterparts and are transferable, at least in part, to other mosquito species with control programmes that include an SIT component.
Relevance
The CRP was extremely relevant to advance towards mosquito SIT implementation. Focusing research on the development of a mass-rearing module was crucial for the implementation of future control programmes in Member States and highly relevant to the mosquito project 2.1.4.4, now part of the Insect Pest Control Sub-programme activities. The CRP succeeded in creating a research group focusing on the importance of mass-producing good quality mosquitoes. Effectively the CRP brought the participants together, resulting in goal-oriented applied research that produced tangible results. Dissemination of these results, either as protocols, guidelines, or in the peer reviewed scientific literature, provides universal access to the advances made. In addition, the technology developed has been now transferred to several counterparts and will be tested and refined according to the biology of the target mosquito species. The progress obtained in the CRP highly contributes to the feasibility studies for the use of SIT in an AW-IPM to control mosquito population in Sudan, in Italy and in La Reunion and in French Polynesia.
CRP Publications
2007
MALCOLM, C.A., D.A. WELSBY and B.B. EL SAYED (2007) "SIT for the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis in Northern State, Sudan: an historical review of the field site", Area-Wide Control of Insect Pests. From Research to Field Implementation (VREYSEN, M.J.B., ROBINSON, A.S., HENDRICHS, J., Eds.), Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands 361-372.