Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2021) | Viewed by 117917

Special Issue Editors

Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Seibersdorf, Austria
Interests: insect pest control; sterile insect technique; genetic sexing; insect symbiosis
Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, 2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
Interests: sterile insect technique; area-wide integrated pest management; food security and food safety
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Insects represent the most abundant, speciose and diverse group of animals on the planet. Most of them are considered as beneficial; however, a small number of them are major pests affecting the agriculture, livestock and human health and their populations need to be managed, targeting the whole insect population in a certain area. During the last 70 years, sterile insect technique (SIT), which is based on radiation-induced sterility, has been shown to be an effective tool to suppress, contain, prevent the (re)introduction and even eliminate populations of insect pests of agricultural, veterinary and human health importance. The SIT is applied ideally as a component of area-wide integrated pest management approaches. For this special issue, we welcome original research as well as review articles focusing on all aspects related to the development and implementation of the SIT for insect pest control applications.

Dr. Kostas Bourtzis
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • tephritids
  • moths
  • tsetse flies
  • screwworm
  • mosquitoes
  • mass-rearing
  • irradiation
  • genetic sexing
  • area-wide integrated pest management

Published Papers (29 papers)

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Editorial

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7 pages, 208 KiB  
Editorial
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications
by Kostas Bourtzis and Marc J. B. Vreysen
Insects 2021, 12(7), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12070638 - 13 Jul 2021
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4449
Abstract
Although most insect species have a beneficial role in the ecosystems, some of them represent major plant pests and disease vectors for livestock and humans. During the last six–seven decades, the sterile insect technique (SIT) has been used as part of area-wide integrated [...] Read more.
Although most insect species have a beneficial role in the ecosystems, some of them represent major plant pests and disease vectors for livestock and humans. During the last six–seven decades, the sterile insect technique (SIT) has been used as part of area-wide integrated pest management strategies to suppress, contain, locally eradicate or prevent the (re)invasion of insect pest populations and disease vectors worldwide. This Special Issue on “Sterile insect technique (SIT) and its applications”, which consists of 27 manuscripts (7 reviews and 20 original research articles), provides an update on the research and development efforts in this area. The manuscripts report on all the different components of the SIT package including mass-rearing, development of genetic sexing strains, irradiation, quality control as well as field trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

11 pages, 426 KiB  
Article
Quality Control and Mating Performance of Irradiated Glossina palpalis gambiensis Males
by Kadidiata Ilboudo, Karifa Camara, Ernest W. Salou and Geoffrey Gimonneau
Insects 2022, 13(5), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050476 - 19 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1673
Abstract
The biological quality of sterile male insects produced in a mass-rearing facility is a prerequisite for the success of the SIT, which is a component of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM). Indeed, sterile male insects released in the field must have a good [...] Read more.
The biological quality of sterile male insects produced in a mass-rearing facility is a prerequisite for the success of the SIT, which is a component of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM). Indeed, sterile male insects released in the field must have a good mating performance in order to compete with wild males, but they must also present the required level of sterility. In the present study, the biological quality of sterile male Glossina palpalis gambiensis produced in a mass-rearing insectary was assessed through quality control testing. The mating performance of irradiated males was assessed in walk-in field cages. Irradiation had no effect on adult emergence but significantly reduced the percentage of operational flies (from 89.58% to 79.87%) and male survival (from 5 to 4 days, on average). However, irradiation did not impact the sterile male insemination potential, with all females inseminated and more than 80% of the spermathecae completely filled. The rate of induced sterility in females was 89.67% due to a dose rate decrease of the radiation source. Moreover, sterile males were able to compete successfully with untreated fertile males for untreated females in walk-in field cages. This study confirmed that the flies were still competitive and stressed the importance of regularly checking the radiation source parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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18 pages, 1818 KiB  
Article
Improvement of the Mass-Rearing Protocols for the South American Fruit Fly for Application of the Sterile Insect Technique
by Thiago Mastrangelo, Adalecio Kovaleski, Bruno Maset, Maria de Lourdes Zamboni Costa, Claudio Barros, Luis Anselmo Lopes and Carlos Caceres
Insects 2021, 12(7), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12070622 - 09 Jul 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3394
Abstract
The existing rearing protocols for Anastrepha fraterculus must be reviewed to make economically viable the production of sterile flies for their area-wide application. Additionally, evidence of sexual incompatibility between a long-term mass-reared Brazilian strain and wild populations has been found. To address these [...] Read more.
The existing rearing protocols for Anastrepha fraterculus must be reviewed to make economically viable the production of sterile flies for their area-wide application. Additionally, evidence of sexual incompatibility between a long-term mass-reared Brazilian strain and wild populations has been found. To address these issues, this study aimed to refine rearing protocols and to assess the suitability of an A. fraterculus strain for the mass production of sterile flies. A series of bioassays were carried out to evaluate incubation times for eggs in a bubbling bath and to assess the temporal variation of egg production from ovipositing cages at different adult densities. A novel larval diet containing carrageenan was also evaluated. Egg incubation times higher than 48 h in water at 25 °C showed reduced larval and pupal yields. Based on egg production and hatchability, the density of 0.3 flies/cm2 can be recommended for adult cages. The diet with carrageenan was suitable for mass production at egg-seeding densities between 1.0 and 1.5 mL of eggs/kg of diet, providing higher insect yields than a corn-based diet from Embrapa. Even after two years of being reared under the new rearing protocols, no sexual isolation was found between the bisexual strain and wild flies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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14 pages, 1350 KiB  
Article
A Novel Genetic Sexing Strain of Anastrepha ludens for Cost-Effective Sterile Insect Technique Applications: Improved Genetic Stability and Rearing Efficiency
by Edwin Ramírez-Santos, Pedro Rendon, Georgia Gouvi, Antigone Zacharopoulou, Kostas Bourtzis, Carlos Cáceres and Kenneth Bloem
Insects 2021, 12(6), 499; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060499 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2688
Abstract
Anastrepha ludens (Loew) is one of the most destructive insect pests damaging several fruits of economic importance. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is used under an area-wide integrated pest management approach, to suppress these pest populations. Mass rearing facilities were initially established to [...] Read more.
Anastrepha ludens (Loew) is one of the most destructive insect pests damaging several fruits of economic importance. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is used under an area-wide integrated pest management approach, to suppress these pest populations. Mass rearing facilities were initially established to produce sterile males of bi-sexual strains in support of SIT. The first genetic sexing strain (GSS) for A. ludens, Tapachula-7, based on pupal color dimorphism, was a key development since the release of males-only significantly increases the SIT efficiency. In this study, we document the development of a novel pupal color-based GSS. Twelve radiation-induced translocation lines were assessed as potential GSS in terms of recombination rates and rearing efficiency at a small scale. The best one, GUA10, was cytogenetically characterized: it was shown to carry a single translocation between the Y chromosome and chromosome 2, which is known to carry the black pupae marker. This GSS was further evaluated at medium and large scales regarding its genetic stability, productivity and quality versus Tapachula-7. GUA10 presented better genetic stability, fecundity, fertility, production efficiency, flying ability, and male mating, clear indicators that GUA10 GSS can significantly improve the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of SIT applications against this pest species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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13 pages, 17106 KiB  
Article
Sterile Insect Technique: Successful Suppression of an Aedes aegypti Field Population in Cuba
by René Gato, Zulema Menéndez, Enrique Prieto, Rafael Argilés, Misladys Rodríguez, Waldemar Baldoquín, Yisel Hernández, Dennis Pérez, Jorge Anaya, Ilario Fuentes, Claudia Lorenzo, Keren González, Yudaisi Campo and Jérémy Bouyer
Insects 2021, 12(5), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12050469 - 18 May 2021
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 5589
Abstract
Dengue virus infections are a serious public health problem worldwide. Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue in Cuba. As there is no vaccine or specific treatment, the control efforts are directed to the reduction of mosquito populations. The indiscriminate use of [...] Read more.
Dengue virus infections are a serious public health problem worldwide. Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue in Cuba. As there is no vaccine or specific treatment, the control efforts are directed to the reduction of mosquito populations. The indiscriminate use of insecticides can lead to adverse effects on ecosystems, including human health. The sterile insect technique is a species-specific and environment-friendly method of insect population control based on the release of large numbers of sterile insects, ideally males only. The success of this technique for the sustainable management of agricultural pests has encouraged its evaluation for the population suppression of mosquito vector species. Here, we describe an open field trial to evaluate the effect of the release of irradiated male Ae. aegypti on a wild population. The pilot trial was carried out in a suburb of Havana and compared the mosquito population density before and after the intervention, in both untreated control and release areas. The wild population was monitored by an ovitrap network, recording frequency and density of eggs as well as their hatch rate. A significant amount of sterility was induced in the field population of the release area, as compared with the untreated control area. The ovitrap index and the mean number of eggs/trap declined dramatically after 12 and 5 weeks of releases, respectively. For the last 3 weeks, no eggs were collected in the treatment area, clearly indicating a significant suppression of the wild target population. We conclude that the sterile males released competed successfully and induced enough sterility to suppress the local Ae. aegypti population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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14 pages, 962 KiB  
Article
Pupation Substrate Type and Volume Affect Pupation, Quality Parameters and Production Costs of a Reproductive Colony of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) VIENNA 8 Genetic Sexing Strain
by Carlos Pascacio-Villafán, Luis Quintero-Fong, Larissa Guillén, José Pedro Rivera-Ciprian, Reynaldo Aguilar and Martín Aluja
Insects 2021, 12(4), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12040337 - 09 Apr 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2371
Abstract
Adequate pupation substrates and substrate volume are critical factors in the mass-rearing of insects for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) applications. To identify an ideal pupation substrate for a reproductive colony of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) VIENNA 8 genetic sexing strain, we first examined pupation [...] Read more.
Adequate pupation substrates and substrate volume are critical factors in the mass-rearing of insects for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) applications. To identify an ideal pupation substrate for a reproductive colony of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) VIENNA 8 genetic sexing strain, we first examined pupation in cellulose from recycled paper (cellulose I), sawdust, fine wheat bran, vermiculite and coconut fiber using a volume of 2.5–12.5 mL of substrate for each 5 mL volume of fly larvae. We found a positive relationship between substrate volume and pupation, with cellulose I generating the highest proportions of pupation and coconut fiber the lowest. Higher proportions of female flies (white pupae) pupated in sawdust. The proportion of female fliers increased as substrate volume rose in sawdust and coconut fiber, whereas it decreased in vermiculite and cellulose. In a second experiment, we tested three types of cellulose differing in physicochemical characteristics (celluloses I, II and III), sawdust, and fine wheat bran using a substrate:larvae ratio of 1:1. The three types of cellulose produced the highest pupation levels. The highest proportions of female fliers were observed in sawdust, and cellulose types III and II. Cellulose III and sawdust at relatively low volumes were more cost-effective to produce one million pupae than other substrates, including fine wheat bran used in a mass-rearing facility in Mexico. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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12 pages, 678 KiB  
Article
Determining the Sterilization Doses under Hypoxia for the Novel Black Pupae Genetic Sexing Strain of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera, Tephritidae)
by Paloma Della Giustina, Thiago Mastrangelo, Sohel Ahmad, Gabriel Mascarin and Carlos Caceres
Insects 2021, 12(4), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12040308 - 30 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1922
Abstract
A common strategy used to maintain sterile fly quality without sacrificing sterility is to irradiate the insects under an oxygen-reduced atmosphere. So far, sterilizing doses for the South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus have only been determined under normoxia. Our study reports for [...] Read more.
A common strategy used to maintain sterile fly quality without sacrificing sterility is to irradiate the insects under an oxygen-reduced atmosphere. So far, sterilizing doses for the South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus have only been determined under normoxia. Our study reports for the first time the dose-sterility response under hypoxia for two different A. fraterculus strains. The pupae were derived from a bisexual strain (a Brazilian-1 population) and a recently developed genetic sexing strain (GSS-89). Two hours prior to irradiation, pupae were transferred to sealed glass bottles and irradiated when oxygen concentration was below 3%. Four types of crosses with nonirradiated flies of the bisexual strain were set to assess sterility for each radiation dose. For males from both strains, Weibull dose–response curves between radiation doses and the proportion of egg hatch, egg-to-pupa recovery, and recovery of adults were determined. The GSS males revealed high sterility/mortality levels compared to males from the bisexual strain at doses < 40 Gy, but a dose of 74 Gy reduced egg hatch by 99% regardless of the male strain and was considered the sterilizing dose. The fertility of irradiated females was severely affected even at low doses under hypoxia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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17 pages, 1143 KiB  
Article
Sterile Insect Technique in an Integrated Vector Management Program against Tiger Mosquito Aedes albopictus in the Valencia Region (Spain): Operating Procedures and Quality Control Parameters
by Carlos Tur, David Almenar, Sandra Benlloch-Navarro, Rafael Argilés-Herrero, Mario Zacarés, Vicente Dalmau and Ignacio Pla
Insects 2021, 12(3), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12030272 - 23 Mar 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3178
Abstract
Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are the main vectors of arboviral diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. About a third of the world population is currently at risk of contracting Aedes-borne epidemics. In recent years, A. albopictus has drastically increased [...] Read more.
Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are the main vectors of arboviral diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. About a third of the world population is currently at risk of contracting Aedes-borne epidemics. In recent years, A. albopictus has drastically increased its distribution in many countries. In the absence of efficient mosquito vector control methods, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is presented as a very promising and environment-friendly control tool. The Agriculture Department of the Valencian Region is promoting an ongoing pilot project to evaluate the efficacy of an integrated vector management program (IVM) based on the use of the SIT as the main method of control. The laboratory studies for evaluating the entomological efficacy of SIT through the phased conditional testing process recommended by World Health Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency (WHO-IAEA) are addressed. This study describes the routine operating procedures and quality control parameters for the medium-scale rearing of sterile male A. albopictus. More than 15 million sterile males have been produced and released in an area of 80 ha between 2018 and 2020. Of the initial L1 larvae, we recovered 17.2% of male pupae after sex sorting to be sterilized and released on the field, while the rest of the pupae remained available to maintain the rearing colony. The residual percentage of females after sex sorting was on average 0.17%. The obtained values in terms of production and quality control as well as the proposed rearing methodology can be useful for designing a medium-scale mosquito-rearing pipeline. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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17 pages, 2087 KiB  
Article
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Survey in Greece before the Implementation of Sterile Insect Technique against Aedes albopictus
by Angeliki Stefopoulou, Shannon L. LaDeau, Nefeli Syrigou, George Balatsos, Vasileios Karras, Ioanna Lytra, Evangelia Boukouvala, Dimitrios P. Papachristos, Panagiotis G. Milonas, Apostolos Kapranas, Petros Vahamidis and Antonios Michaelakis
Insects 2021, 12(3), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12030212 - 02 Mar 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2607
Abstract
Community involvement in Aedes albopictus management can be very efficient and result in raising awareness among citizens. Toward this end, a door-to-door campaign can encourage active community participation in vector control. The current study describes the results of an intervention where a KAP [...] Read more.
Community involvement in Aedes albopictus management can be very efficient and result in raising awareness among citizens. Toward this end, a door-to-door campaign can encourage active community participation in vector control. The current study describes the results of an intervention where a KAP (knowledge, attitude, practices) survey tool was paired with a door-to-door campaign and was implemented as an intervention method in Vravrona area (Attica, Greece) before the release of sterile males (sterile insect technique, SIT) against Aedes albopictus. The KAP tool was used to shed light on the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of local community members in order to better prepare and motivate participation in household mosquito control and to assess current understanding of SIT. Each household also received specific information about mosquito source habitat in their own yards at the time of the initial KAP survey. These household data were complemented by standardized mosquito trapping in the municipality. Our findings indicate that citizens’ attitude toward SIT ranged from indecisive to fully supportive, while 77.5% of the respondents agreed that the SIT has many advantages over chemical control methods. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that using the door-to-door campaign as an intervention and prerelease method before SIT can suppress the initial mosquito population and potentially improve its efficacy. Lastly, we show that the presence of local municipality officials during door-to-door visits was associated with increased willingness from the residents to participate in the intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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18 pages, 1789 KiB  
Article
Operational Parameters for the Aerial Release of Sterile Codling Moths Using an Uncrewed Aircraft System
by Evan D. Esch, Rachael M. Horner, Dustin C. Krompetz, Nathan Moses-Gonzales, Melissa R. Tesche and David Maxwell Suckling
Insects 2021, 12(2), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12020159 - 13 Feb 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2510
Abstract
The codling moth is a serious pest of apples in most regions of the world where this fruit is produced. The sterile insect technique is one strategy used to control this pest and is employed as part of an area-wide integrated pest management [...] Read more.
The codling moth is a serious pest of apples in most regions of the world where this fruit is produced. The sterile insect technique is one strategy used to control this pest and is employed as part of an area-wide integrated pest management program for the codling moth in British Columbia, Canada. Modified fixed wing aircraft are the most common method for the release of sterile insects in large area-wide pest management programs. However, aerial release with a full-size aircraft can be prohibitively expensive. We evaluated the use of small, uncrewed aircraft systems (UASs) for the release of sterile codling moths. Sterile codling moths released from greater altitudes were more broadly distributed and drifted more in strong winds, compared to those released from lower altitudes. Most of the released insects were recaptured in a 50 m wide swath under the release route. Recapture rates for aerially released insects were 40–70% higher compared to those released from the ground. UASs provide a promising alternative to ground release and conventional aircraft for the release of sterile codling moths. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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17 pages, 865 KiB  
Article
Sexual Competitiveness and Induced Egg Sterility by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Gamma-Irradiated Males: A Laboratory and Field Study in Mexico
by J. Guillermo Bond, Santiago Aguirre-Ibáñez, Adriana R. Osorio, Carlos F. Marina, Yeudiel Gómez-Simuta, Rodolfo Tamayo-Escobar, Ariane Dor, Pablo Liedo, Danilo O. Carvalho and Trevor Williams
Insects 2021, 12(2), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12020145 - 08 Feb 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6602
Abstract
The sterile insect technique may prove useful for the suppression of mosquito vectors of medical importance in regions where arboviruses pose a serious public health threat. In the present study, we examined the effects of sterilizing irradiation doses across different ratios of fertile:irradiated [...] Read more.
The sterile insect technique may prove useful for the suppression of mosquito vectors of medical importance in regions where arboviruses pose a serious public health threat. In the present study, we examined the effects of sterilizing irradiation doses across different ratios of fertile:irradiated males on the mating competitiveness of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus under laboratory and field-cage conditions. For both species, the percentage of females inseminated and the number of eggs laid over two gonotrophic cycles varied significantly in mating treatments involving 1:1, 1:5, and 1:10 fertile:irradiated males compared to controls of entirely fertile or entirely irradiated males but was not generally affected by the irradiation dose. Egg hatching was negatively affected in females exposed to increasing proportions of irradiated males in both laboratory and field cages. Male competitiveness (Fried’s index) values varied from 0.19 to 0.58 in the laboratory and were between 0.09 and 1.0 in field cages, depending on th species. Competitiveness values were negatively affected by th eirradiation dose in both species under field-cage conditions, whereas in the laboratory, Ae. albopictus was sensitive to the dose but Ae. aegypti was not. In general, male competitiveness was similar across all mating regimes. Most importantly, induced egg sterility was positively correlated with the proportion of irradiated males present in the mating treatments, reaching a maximum of 88% under field-cage conditions for both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus males treated with 50 and 40 Gy irradiation, respectively. These results indicate that sterile males produced at our facility are suitable and competitive enough for field pilot SIT projects and provide guidance to decide the optimal sterile:fertile ratios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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18 pages, 3332 KiB  
Article
Population Dynamics of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Two Rural Villages in Southern Mexico: Baseline Data for an Evaluation of the Sterile Insect Technique
by Carlos F. Marina, J. Guillermo Bond, Kenia Hernández-Arriaga, Javier Valle, Armando Ulloa, Ildefonso Fernández-Salas, Danilo O. Carvalho, Kostas Bourtzis, Ariane Dor, Trevor Williams and Pablo Liedo
Insects 2021, 12(1), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12010058 - 11 Jan 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3665
Abstract
Indoor and outdoor ovitraps were placed in 15 randomly selected houses in two rural villages in Chiapas, southern Mexico. In addition, ovitraps were placed in five transects surrounding each village, with three traps per transect, one at the edge, one at 50 m, [...] Read more.
Indoor and outdoor ovitraps were placed in 15 randomly selected houses in two rural villages in Chiapas, southern Mexico. In addition, ovitraps were placed in five transects surrounding each village, with three traps per transect, one at the edge, one at 50 m, and another at 100 m from the edge of the village. All traps were inspected weekly. A transect with eight traps along a road between the two villages was also included. Population fluctuations of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus were examined during 2016–2018 by counting egg numbers. A higher number of Aedes spp. eggs was recorded at Hidalgo village with 257,712 eggs (60.9%), of which 58.1% were present in outdoor ovitraps and 41.9% in indoor ovitraps, compared with 165,623 eggs (39.1%) collected in the village of Río Florido, 49.0% in outdoor and 51.0% in indoor ovitraps. A total of 84,047 eggs was collected from ovitraps placed along transects around Río Florido, compared to 67,542 eggs recorded from transects around Hidalgo. Fluctuations in egg counts were associated with annual variation in precipitation, with 2.3 to 3.2-fold more eggs collected from ovitraps placed in houses and 4.8 to 5.1-fold more eggs in ovitraps from the surrounding transects during the rainy season than in the dry season, respectively. Aedes aegypti was the dominant species during the dry season and at the start of the rainy season in both villages. Aedes albopictus populations were lower for most of the dry season, but increased during the rainy season and predominated at the end of the rainy season in both villages. Aedes albopictus was also the dominant species in the zones surrounding both villages. The numbers of eggs collected from intradomiciliary ovitraps were strongly correlated with the numbers of eggs in peridomiciliary ovitraps in both Río Florido (R2adj = 0.92) and Hidalgo (R2adj = 0.94), suggesting that peridomiciliary sampling could provide an accurate estimate of intradomiciliary oviposition by Aedes spp. in future studies in these villages. We conclude that the feasibility of sterile insect technique (SIT)-based program of vector control could be evaluated in the isolated Ae. aegypti populations in the rural villages of our baseline study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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23 pages, 3237 KiB  
Article
Combined Effects of Mating Disruption, Insecticides, and the Sterile Insect Technique on Cydia pomonella in New Zealand
by Rachael M. Horner, Peter L. Lo, David J. Rogers, James T. S. Walker and David Maxwell Suckling
Insects 2020, 11(12), 837; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11120837 - 27 Nov 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3142
Abstract
Codling moth was introduced into New Zealand, and remains a critical pest for the apple industry. Apples exported to some markets require strict phytosanitary measures to eliminate the risk of larval infestation. Mating disruption and insecticide applications are the principal means of suppression [...] Read more.
Codling moth was introduced into New Zealand, and remains a critical pest for the apple industry. Apples exported to some markets require strict phytosanitary measures to eliminate the risk of larval infestation. Mating disruption and insecticide applications are the principal means of suppression in New Zealand. We tested the potential for the sterile insect technique (SIT) to supplement these measures to achieve local eradication or suppression of this pest. SIT was trialed in an isolated group of six integrated fruit production (IFP) orchards and one organic orchard (total 391 ha), using sterilized insects imported from Canada, with release by unmanned aerial vehicle and from the ground. Eradication was not achieved across the region, but a very high level of codling moth suppression was achieved at individual orchards after the introduction of sterile moths in combination with mating disruption and larvicides. After six years of releases, catches of wild codling moths at three IFP orchards (224 ha) were 90–99% lower than in 2013–2014, the year before releases began. Catches at three other IFP orchards (129 ha) decreased by 67–97% from the year before releases began (2015–2016), from lower initial levels. At a certified organic orchard with a higher initial population under only organic larvicides and mating disruption, by 2019–2020, there was an 81% reduction in wild moths capture from 2016–2017, the year before releases began. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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12 pages, 1928 KiB  
Article
Using Moderate Transgene Expression to Improve the Genetic Sexing System of the Australian Sheep Blow Fly Lucilia cuprina
by Ying Yan, Megan E. Williamson and Maxwell J. Scott
Insects 2020, 11(11), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11110797 - 13 Nov 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2076
Abstract
The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a promising strategy to control the Australian sheep blow fly Lucilia cuprina, a major pest of sheep. We have previously developed a transgenic embryonic sexing system (TESS) for this pest to facilitate the potential SIT application. [...] Read more.
The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a promising strategy to control the Australian sheep blow fly Lucilia cuprina, a major pest of sheep. We have previously developed a transgenic embryonic sexing system (TESS) for this pest to facilitate the potential SIT application. TESS carry two transgenes, a tetracycline transactivator (tTA) driver and a tTA-activated pro-apoptotic effector. TESS females die at the embryonic stage unless tetracycline is supplied in the diet. However, undesired female sterility was observed in some TESS strains without tetracycline due to expression of tTA in ovaries. Here we investigate if TESS that combine transgenes with relatively low/moderate expression/activity improves the fertility of TESS females. tTA driver lines were evaluated for tTA expression by quantitative real time PCR and/or by crossing with a tTA-activated RFPex effector line. Fertility and lethality tests showed that a TESS strain containing a driver line with moderate tTA expression and an effector line showing moderate pro-apoptotic activity could recover the fertility of parental females and eliminated all female offspring at the embryonic stage. Consequently, such a strain could be further evaluated for an SIT program for L. cuprina, and such a “moderate strategy” could be considered for the TESS development in other pest species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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14 pages, 1207 KiB  
Article
Egg Sterilisation of Irradiated Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
by Kiran Jonathan Horrocks, Taylor Welsh, Jim E Carpenter and David Maxwell Suckling
Insects 2020, 11(9), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11090564 - 24 Aug 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2952
Abstract
Nezara viridula Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a polyphagous pest of a wide range of economically important crops. Because the control of this species and other pentatomids relies primarily on insecticide application, investigation into the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is warranted. We aimed to [...] Read more.
Nezara viridula Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a polyphagous pest of a wide range of economically important crops. Because the control of this species and other pentatomids relies primarily on insecticide application, investigation into the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is warranted. We aimed to investigate the irradiation biology of N. viridula for the potential application of SIT against this pest. Male and female N. viridula were gamma-irradiated at doses between 4 and 28 Gy and mated with both irradiated and nonirradiated conspecifics. Sterility of the resulting eggs followed a dose-response in each case. Irradiated males crossed with untreated females showed higher F1 egg sterility than crosses where the female was irradiated. The greatest F1 egg sterility was observed when both parents were irradiated. There was no obvious dose-response for the longevity of irradiated males, and for the fecundity of nonirradiated females mated with irradiated males. The fecundity of irradiated females appeared to decrease with irradiation dose. These results can be applied to a potential future application of SIT against N. viridula, but predominantly supports the ongoing development of SIT for Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and hemipteran pests in general. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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17 pages, 268 KiB  
Article
Gamma Irradiation and Male Glossina austeni Mating Performance
by Chantel J. de Beer, Percy Moyaba, Solomon N. B. Boikanyo, Daphney Majatladi, Gert J. Venter and Marc J. B. Vreysen
Insects 2020, 11(8), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11080522 - 11 Aug 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2333
Abstract
An area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) strategy with a sterile insect technique (SIT) component has been proposed for the management of African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) in South Africa. In preparation for the SIT, the mating performance of colony reared Glossina austeni males under [...] Read more.
An area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) strategy with a sterile insect technique (SIT) component has been proposed for the management of African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) in South Africa. In preparation for the SIT, the mating performance of colony reared Glossina austeni males under influencing factors such as radiation dose and the development stage that is exposed to radiation, was assessed under laboratory and semi-field conditions. The radiation sensitivity of G. austeni colonized 37 years ago when treated as adults and late-stage pupae was determined. Radiation doses of 80 Gy and 100 Gy induced 97–99% sterility in colony females that mated with colony males treated as adults or pupae. Males irradiated either as adults or pupae with a radiation dose of 100 Gy showed similar insemination ability and survival as untreated males. Walk-in field cage assessments indicated that a dose of up to 100 Gy did not adversely affect the mating performance of males irradiated as adults or late stage pupae. Males irradiated as adults formed mating pairs faster than fertile males and males irradiated as pupae. The mating performance studies indicated that the colonized G. austeni males irradiated as adults or late stage pupae will still be suited for SIT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
13 pages, 2892 KiB  
Article
Will Peri-Urban Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Challenge Local Eradication?
by Rachael Horner, Georgia Paterson, James T.S. Walker, George L.W. Perry, Rodelyn Jaksons and David Maxwell Suckling
Insects 2020, 11(4), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11040207 - 27 Mar 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2579
Abstract
Codling moth, Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a phytosanitary pest of New Zealand’s export apples. The sterile insect technique supplements other controls in an eradication attempt at an isolated group of orchards in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. There has been no attempt in [...] Read more.
Codling moth, Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a phytosanitary pest of New Zealand’s export apples. The sterile insect technique supplements other controls in an eradication attempt at an isolated group of orchards in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. There has been no attempt in New Zealand to characterize potential sources of uncontrolled peri-urban populations, which we predicted to be larger than in managed orchards. We installed 200 pheromone traps across Hastings city, which averaged 0.32 moths/trap/week. We also mapped host trees around the pilot eradication orchards and installed 28 traps in rural Ongaonga, which averaged 0.59 moths/trap/week. In Hastings, traps in host trees caught significantly more males than traps in non-host trees, and spatial interpolation showed evidence of spatial clustering. Traps in orchards operating the most stringent codling moth management averaged half the catch rate of Hastings peri-urban traps. Orchards with less rigorous moth control had a 5-fold higher trap catch rate. We conclude that peri-urban populations are significant and ubiquitous, and that special measures to reduce pest prevalence are needed to achieve area-wide suppression and reduce the risk of immigration into export orchards. Because the location of all host trees in Hastings is not known, it could be more cost-effectively assumed that hosts are ubiquitous across the city and the area treated accordingly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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20 pages, 2351 KiB  
Article
Agar and Carrageenan as Cost-Effective Gelling Agents in Yeast-Reduced Artificial Diets for Mass-Rearing Fruit Flies and Their Parasitoids
by Carlos Pascacio-Villafán, Larissa Guillén and Martín Aluja
Insects 2020, 11(2), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11020131 - 18 Feb 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4237
Abstract
The development of cost-effective diets for mass-rearing fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and their parasitoids in pest control programs based on the Sterile Insect Technique is a high priority worldwide. To this end, we tested carrageenan, agar, gelatin and two types of pregelatinized corn [...] Read more.
The development of cost-effective diets for mass-rearing fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and their parasitoids in pest control programs based on the Sterile Insect Technique is a high priority worldwide. To this end, we tested carrageenan, agar, gelatin and two types of pregelatinized corn starches as gelling agents at varying percentages in a yeast-reduced liquid larval diet for rearing the Mexfly, Anastrepha ludens. Only diets with 0.234% (w/w) agar or 0.424% carrageenan were identified as diets with potential for mass-rearing A. ludens in terms of the number of pupae recovered from the diet, pupal weight, adult emergence, flight ability and diet cost. Comparative experiments showed that yeast-reduced agar and carrageenan gel diets produced heavier pupae and higher proportions of flying adults than the standard mass-rearing diet. The gel-agar and mass-rearing diets produced more pupae than the gel-carrageenan diet, but the latter produced more suitable larvae as hosts for rearing of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) females, a widely used fruit fly biocontrol agent. Yeast-reduced agar and carrageenan gel diets could represent cost-effective fruit fly mass-rearing diets if a practical system for gel diet preparation and dispensation at fruit fly mass-rearing facilities is developed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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12 pages, 1663 KiB  
Article
Mass-Rearing of Drosophila suzukii for Sterile Insect Technique Application: Evaluation of Two Oviposition Systems
by Fabiana Sassù, Katerina Nikolouli, Silvana Caravantes, Gustavo Taret, Rui Pereira, Marc J. B. Vreysen, Christian Stauffer and Carlos Cáceres
Insects 2019, 10(12), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10120448 - 12 Dec 2019
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4895
Abstract
Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an invasive pest of a wide range of commercial soft-skinned fruits. To date, most management tactics are based on spraying of conventional and/or organic insecticides, baited traps, and netting exclusion. Interest has been expressed in using the sterile [...] Read more.
Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an invasive pest of a wide range of commercial soft-skinned fruits. To date, most management tactics are based on spraying of conventional and/or organic insecticides, baited traps, and netting exclusion. Interest has been expressed in using the sterile insect technique (SIT) as part of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programs to control D. suzukii infestations. Mass-rearing protocols are one of the prerequisites for successful implementation of the SIT. To establish mass-rearing methods for this species, two different egg-collection systems were developed and compared with respect to the number of eggs produced, egg viability, pupa and adult recovery, adult emergence rate, and flight ability. Female flies kept in cages equipped with a wax panel produced significantly more eggs with higher viability and adult emergence rate, as compared to the netted oviposition system. The wax panel system was also more practical and less laborious regarding the collection of eggs. Furthermore, the wax panel oviposition system can be adapted to any size or design of an adult cage. In conclusion, this system bears great promise as an effective system for the mass production of D. suzukii for SIT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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13 pages, 1007 KiB  
Article
The Competitive Mating of Irradiated Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs, Halyomorpha halys, for the Sterile Insect Technique
by David Maxwell Suckling, Massimo Cristofaro, Gerardo Roselli, Mary Claire Levy, Alessia Cemmi, Valerio Mazzoni, Lloyd Damien Stringer, Valeria Zeni, Claudio Ioriatti and Gianfranco Anfora
Insects 2019, 10(11), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10110411 - 16 Nov 2019
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4181
Abstract
The sterility of eggs and nymphs from gamma-irradiated male Halyomorpha halys was investigated to determine the potential for the sterile insect technique (SIT). Males irradiated at 0, 16, 24 and 32 Gy were placed with untreated virgin females, and egg sterility was determined, [...] Read more.
The sterility of eggs and nymphs from gamma-irradiated male Halyomorpha halys was investigated to determine the potential for the sterile insect technique (SIT). Males irradiated at 0, 16, 24 and 32 Gy were placed with untreated virgin females, and egg sterility was determined, showing 54.3% at 16 Gy. The percentage of sterility from irradiation was 26 percent lower than previous results from the USA and the variance was very high. Competitive overflooding ratio trials between irradiated virgin males and fertile virgin males at a 5:1 ratio resulted in the expected egg sterility, indicating competitive performance by irradiated males. By July and August, older, irradiated overwintered males were significantly less competitive than similar, non-irradiated males. There is a need to revisit the irradiation delivery method to achieve proper precision around the paternal dose required for an expected >80% egg sterility and subsequent ~99% endpoint sterility estimated at adult emergence in the F1 phase. These results suggest that the mating competitiveness and competency of males after irradiation at 16 Gy is not limiting to the sterile insect technique for suppression. A wild harvest of overwintering males using the aggregation pheromone, followed by irradiation and male release, might replace rearing. Mass-collected, sterilized bugs could be transported from an area of high H. halys density and shipped for release to enable suppression or eradication elsewhere. This concept is under development but further work is needed now to understand the difference in results between the US and Italian irradiators and increase the reliability of dosimetry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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8 pages, 1958 KiB  
Article
Live Traps for Adult Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
by David Maxwell Suckling, Mary Claire Levy, Gerardo Roselli, Valerio Mazzoni, Claudio Ioriatti, Marco Deromedi, Massimo Cristofaro and Gianfranco Anfora
Insects 2019, 10(11), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10110376 - 29 Oct 2019
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5569
Abstract
Surveillance for detection of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is reliant on sticky panels with aggregation pheromone, which are low cost, but very inefficient (est. 3%). Trapping for adults was conducted in Italy with novel live (or lethal) traps consisting [...] Read more.
Surveillance for detection of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is reliant on sticky panels with aggregation pheromone, which are low cost, but very inefficient (est. 3%). Trapping for adults was conducted in Italy with novel live (or lethal) traps consisting of aggregation pheromone-baited cylinders with a wind vane, with the upwind end covered by mesh and the downwind end sealed by a removable entry-only mesh cone, admitting the attracted bugs. The novel traps caught up to 15-times more adult H. halys than identically-baited sticky panels in two weeks of daily checking (n = 6 replicates) (the new live traps were, in Run 1, 5-, 9-, 15-, 13-, 4-, 12-, 2-fold; and in Run 2, 7-, 1-, 3-, 7-, 6-, 6-, and 5-fold better than sticky traps, daily). The maximum catch of the new traps was 96 live adults in one trap in 24 h and the average improvement was ~7-fold compared with sticky panels. The rotating live traps, which exploit a mesh funnel facing the plume downwind that proved useful for collecting adults, could also be used to kill bugs. We expect that commercially-available traps could replace the crude prototypes we constructed quickly from local materials, at low cost, as long as the principles of a suitable plume structure were observed, as we discuss. The traps could be useful for the sterile insect technique, supporting rearing colonies, or to kill bugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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12 pages, 1824 KiB  
Article
Peri-Urban Community Attitudes towards Codling Moth Trapping and Suppression Using the Sterile Insect Technique in New Zealand
by Georgia Paterson, George L. W. Perry, James T. S. Walker and David Maxwell Suckling
Insects 2019, 10(10), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10100335 - 09 Oct 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3328
Abstract
New, more socially-acceptable technologies are being developed to suppress horticultural pests, because suppression is technically difficult with current technologies, especially in urban areas. One technique involves the release of sterile insects to prevent offspring in the next generation. This technology involves aerial or [...] Read more.
New, more socially-acceptable technologies are being developed to suppress horticultural pests, because suppression is technically difficult with current technologies, especially in urban areas. One technique involves the release of sterile insects to prevent offspring in the next generation. This technology involves aerial or ground release systems, but this could also create issues for the public. This study investigated community perceptions of a recently-introduced response to codling moth control in New Zealand—Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Community attitudes to SIT were examined in Hastings, New Zealand, in April, 2018. Eighty-six detailed interviews were undertaken with a random sample of households. This community was very willing (98% agreement) to host a sex pheromone trap in their gardens, and condoned regular visits to monitor traps. Attitudes to SIT were very positive (98% in favor). Once explained, the concept of using unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver sterile insects was also acceptable (98%) to the community. Use of unmanned aerial vehicles to release sterile insects during a hypothetical incursion response of an exotic fruit fly was also supported at 98% by respondent householders. Investigation of community attitudes can be valuable to guide practitioners in determining suitable technologies before an area-wide programme is launched. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

15 pages, 1888 KiB  
Review
Sterile Insect Technique Programme against Mediterranean Fruit Fly in the Valencian Community (Spain)
by Ignacio Plá, Jaime García de Oteyza, Carlos Tur, Miguel Ángel Martínez, María Carmen Laurín, Ester Alonso, Marta Martínez, Ángel Martín, Román Sanchis, María Carmen Navarro, María Teresa Navarro, Rafael Argilés, Marta Briasco, Óscar Dembilio and Vicente Dalmau
Insects 2021, 12(5), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12050415 - 06 May 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4259
Abstract
The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wied.), is an endemic pest in fruit-growing areas of the Spanish Mediterranean coast. In the Valencian Community, it represents a serious problem in the cultivation of citrus and numerous species of fruit, such as peach, cherry, apricot, [...] Read more.
The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wied.), is an endemic pest in fruit-growing areas of the Spanish Mediterranean coast. In the Valencian Community, it represents a serious problem in the cultivation of citrus and numerous species of fruit, such as peach, cherry, apricot, persimmon, etc. For over 50 years, the Department of Agriculture of Valencia has led, promoted, and carried out a C. capitata control programme to protect crops, especially citrus fruits, because this community is the largest national producer and the leading region for fresh citrus exports in the world. Traditionally, pest control has been based on the use of insecticides. However, a reduction of more than 90% of a target wild population was achieved in the frame of a pilot integrated pest management (IPM) project based on the sterile insect technique (SIT), which was implemented from 2003 to 2006. Based on this successful result, in 2007 the Department of Agriculture of Valencia initiated an area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programme for the suppression of C. capitata, using the SIT as the primary control method. Complementary activities are implemented periodically in hotspots and during different time periods depending on the pest population dynamics. As a result, there has been a reduction of more than 90% in the use of insecticides by aerial means to control C. capitata, as well as a growth trend in exports of citrus and fresh fruits from the Valencian Community in recent years. This paper provides a historical review of the Valencian programme and briefly describes how technological innovations and decision-making tools have contributed to programme efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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22 pages, 7709 KiB  
Review
Development of Sterile Insect Technique for Control of the European Grapevine Moth, Lobesia botrana, in Urban Areas of Chile
by Gregory. S. Simmons, Melissa Cristal Salazar Sepulveda, Edith Alejandra Fuentes Barrios, Marcela Idalsoaga Villegas, Raul Enrique Medina Jimenez, Alvaro Rodrigo Garrido Jerez, Ruth Henderson and Hernán Donoso Riffo
Insects 2021, 12(5), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12050378 - 22 Apr 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2842
Abstract
The European grapevine moth, a Palearctic pest, was first detected in the Americas in 2008. Its establishment in Chile presented production and export issues for grapes and other fruits, and a national control campaign was launched. Urban areas next to agricultural production areas [...] Read more.
The European grapevine moth, a Palearctic pest, was first detected in the Americas in 2008. Its establishment in Chile presented production and export issues for grapes and other fruits, and a national control campaign was launched. Urban areas next to agricultural production areas were recognized as a challenge for effective control. In 2015, a SIT laboratory was established in Arica, Chile to evaluate its potential for urban control. Progress included the development and evaluation of artificial diets, a mass-rearing of 75,000 moths/week, confirmation of 150 Gy as an operational dose for inherited sterility, and releases of sterile moths in a 25 ha urban area next to fruit production areas. Season-long releases demonstrated that high overflooding ratios were achieved early in the season but decreased with a large increase in the wild moth population. Sterile moth quality was consistently high, and moths were observed living in the field up to 10 days and dispersing up to 800 m. Recommendations for further development of the SIT include conducting cage and field studies to evaluate overflooding ratios and mating competitiveness, measuring of infestation densities in release and no-release areas, and conducting trials to evaluate combining SIT with compatible integrated pest management (IPM) tactics such as fruit stripping and use of mating disruption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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48 pages, 2642 KiB  
Review
The Insect Pest Control Laboratory of the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme: Ten Years (2010–2020) of Research and Development, Achievements and Challenges in Support of the Sterile Insect Technique
by Marc J. B. Vreysen, Adly M. M. Abd-Alla, Kostas Bourtzis, Jeremy Bouyer, Carlos Caceres, Chantel de Beer, Danilo Oliveira Carvalho, Hamidou Maiga, Wadaka Mamai, Katerina Nikolouli, Hanano Yamada and Rui Pereira
Insects 2021, 12(4), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12040346 - 13 Apr 2021
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 6881
Abstract
The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre (formerly called Division) of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture was established in 1964 and its accompanying laboratories in 1961. One of its subprograms deals with insect pest control, and has the mandate to develop and implement the sterile [...] Read more.
The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre (formerly called Division) of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture was established in 1964 and its accompanying laboratories in 1961. One of its subprograms deals with insect pest control, and has the mandate to develop and implement the sterile insect technique (SIT) for selected key insect pests, with the goal of reducing the use of insecticides, reducing animal and crop losses, protecting the environment, facilitating international trade in agricultural commodities and improving human health. Since its inception, the Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL) (formerly named Entomology Unit) has been implementing research in relation to the development of the SIT package for insect pests of crops, livestock and human health. This paper provides a review of research carried out between 2010 and 2020 at the IPCL. Research on plant pests has focused on the development of genetic sexing strains, characterizing and assessing the performance of these strains (e.g., Ceratitis capitata), elucidation of the taxonomic status of several members of the Bactrocera dorsalis and Anastrepha fraterculus complexes, the use of microbiota as probiotics, genomics, supplements to improve the performance of the reared insects, and the development of the SIT package for fruit fly species such as Bactrocera oleae and Drosophila suzukii. Research on livestock pests has focused on colony maintenance and establishment, tsetse symbionts and pathogens, sex separation, morphology, sterile male quality, radiation biology, mating behavior and transportation and release systems. Research with human disease vectors has focused on the development of genetic sexing strains (Anopheles arabiensis, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), the development of a more cost-effective larvae and adult rearing system, assessing various aspects of radiation biology, characterizing symbionts and pathogens, studying mating behavior and the development of quality control procedures, and handling and release methods. During the review period, 13 coordinated research projects (CRPs) were completed and six are still being implemented. At the end of each CRP, the results were published in a special issue of a peer-reviewed journal. The review concludes with an overview of future challenges, such as the need to adhere to a phased conditional approach for the implementation of operational SIT programs, the need to make the SIT more cost effective, to respond with demand driven research to solve the problems faced by the operational SIT programs and the use of the SIT to address a multitude of exotic species that are being introduced, due to globalization, and established in areas where they could not survive before, due to climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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23 pages, 2787 KiB  
Review
Lessons from Drosophila: Engineering Genetic Sexing Strains with Temperature-Sensitive Lethality for Sterile Insect Technique Applications
by Thu N. M. Nguyen, Amanda Choo and Simon W. Baxter
Insects 2021, 12(3), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12030243 - 13 Mar 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4299
Abstract
A major obstacle of sterile insect technique (SIT) programs is the availability of robust sex-separation systems for conditional removal of females. Sterilized male-only releases improve SIT efficiency and cost-effectiveness for agricultural pests, whereas it is critical to remove female disease-vector pests prior to [...] Read more.
A major obstacle of sterile insect technique (SIT) programs is the availability of robust sex-separation systems for conditional removal of females. Sterilized male-only releases improve SIT efficiency and cost-effectiveness for agricultural pests, whereas it is critical to remove female disease-vector pests prior to release as they maintain the capacity to transmit disease. Some of the most successful Genetic Sexing Strains (GSS) reared and released for SIT control were developed for Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), Ceratitis capitata, and carry a temperature sensitive lethal (tsl) mutation that eliminates female but not male embryos when heat treated. The Medfly tsl mutation was generated by random mutagenesis and the genetic mechanism causing this valuable heat sensitive phenotype remains unknown. Conditional temperature sensitive lethal mutations have also been developed using random mutagenesis in the insect model, Drosophila melanogaster, and were used for some of the founding genetic research published in the fields of neuro- and developmental biology. Here we review mutations in select D. melanogaster genes shibire, Notch, RNA polymerase II 215kDa, pale, transformer-2, Dsor1 and CK2α that cause temperature sensitive phenotypes. Precise introduction of orthologous point mutations in pest insect species with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology holds potential to establish GSSs with embryonic lethality to improve and advance SIT pest control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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26 pages, 2056 KiB  
Review
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) against Aedes Species Mosquitoes: A Roadmap and Good Practice Framework for Designing, Implementing and Evaluating Pilot Field Trials
by Clélia F. Oliva, Mark Q. Benedict, C Matilda Collins, Thierry Baldet, Romeo Bellini, Hervé Bossin, Jérémy Bouyer, Vincent Corbel, Luca Facchinelli, Florence Fouque, Martin Geier, Antonios Michaelakis, David Roiz, Frédéric Simard, Carlos Tur and Louis-Clément Gouagna
Insects 2021, 12(3), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12030191 - 24 Feb 2021
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 6947
Abstract
Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are invasive mosquito species that impose a substantial risk to human health. To control the abundance and spread of these arboviral pathogen vectors, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is emerging as a powerful complement to most commonly-used approaches, [...] Read more.
Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are invasive mosquito species that impose a substantial risk to human health. To control the abundance and spread of these arboviral pathogen vectors, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is emerging as a powerful complement to most commonly-used approaches, in part, because this technique is ecologically benign, specific, and non-persistent in the environment if releases are stopped. Because SIT and other similar vector control strategies are becoming of increasing interest to many countries, we offer here a pragmatic and accessible ‘roadmap’ for the pre-pilot and pilot phases to guide any interested party. This will support stakeholders, non-specialist scientists, implementers, and decision-makers. Applying these concepts will ensure, given adequate resources, a sound basis for local field trialing and for developing experience with the technique in readiness for potential operational deployment. This synthesis is based on the available literature, in addition to the experience and current knowledge of the expert contributing authors in this field. We describe a typical path to successful pilot testing, with the four concurrent development streams of Laboratory, Field, Stakeholder Relations, and the Business and Compliance Case. We provide a graphic framework with criteria that must be met in order to proceed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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24 pages, 1999 KiB  
Review
Strategic Approach, Advances, and Challenges in the Development and Application of the SIT for Area-Wide Control of Aedes albopictus Mosquitoes in Reunion Island
by Louis Clément Gouagna, David Damiens, Clélia F. Oliva, Sébastien Boyer, Gilbert Le Goff, Cécile Brengues, Jean-Sébastien Dehecq, Jocelyn Raude, Frédéric Simard and Didier Fontenille
Insects 2020, 11(11), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11110770 - 07 Nov 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3618
Abstract
The global expansion of Aedes albopictus, together with the absence of specific treatment and vaccines for most of the arboviruses it transmits, has stimulated the development of more sustainable and ecologically acceptable methods for control of disease transmission through the suppression of natural [...] Read more.
The global expansion of Aedes albopictus, together with the absence of specific treatment and vaccines for most of the arboviruses it transmits, has stimulated the development of more sustainable and ecologically acceptable methods for control of disease transmission through the suppression of natural vector populations. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is rapidly evolving as an additional tool for mosquito control, offering an efficient and more environment-friendly alternative to the use of insecticides. Following the devastating chikungunya outbreak, which affected 38% of the population on Reunion Island (a French overseas territory in the southwest of the Indian Ocean), there has been strong interest and political will to develop effective alternatives to the existing vector control strategies. Over the past 10 years, the French Research and Development Institute (IRD) has established an SIT feasibility program against Ae. albopictus on Reunion Island in collaboration with national and international partners. This program aimed to determine whether the SIT based on the release of radiation-sterilized males is scientifically and technically feasible, and socially acceptable as part of a control strategy targeting the local Ae. albopictus population. This paper provides a review of a multi-year and a particularly broad scoping process of establishing the scientific and technological feasibility of the SIT against Ae. albopictus on Reunion Island. It also draws attention to some prerequisites of the decision-making process, through awareness campaigns to enhance public understanding and support, social adoption, and regulatory validation of the SIT pilot tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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26 pages, 3330 KiB  
Review
Advances and Challenges of Using the Sterile Insect Technique for the Management of Pest Lepidoptera
by František Marec and Marc J. B. Vreysen
Insects 2019, 10(11), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10110371 - 25 Oct 2019
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 9441
Abstract
Over the past 30 years, the sterile insect technique (SIT) has become a regular component of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programs against several major agricultural pests and vectors of severe diseases. The SIT-based programs have been especially successful against dipteran pests. However, [...] Read more.
Over the past 30 years, the sterile insect technique (SIT) has become a regular component of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programs against several major agricultural pests and vectors of severe diseases. The SIT-based programs have been especially successful against dipteran pests. However, the SIT applicability for controlling lepidopteran pests has been challenging, mainly due to their high resistance to the ionizing radiation that is used to induce sterility. Nevertheless, the results of extensive research and currently operating SIT programs show that most problems with the implementation of SIT against pest Lepidoptera have been successfully resolved. Here, we summarize the cytogenetic peculiarities of Lepidoptera that should be considered in the development and application of SIT for a particular pest species. We also discuss the high resistance of Lepidoptera to ionizing radiation, and present the principle of derived technology based on inherited sterility (IS). Furthermore, we present successful SIT/IS applications against five major lepidopteran pests, and summarize the results of research on the quality control of reared and released insects, which is of great importance for their field performance. In the light of new research findings, we also discuss options for the development of genetic sexing strains, which is a challenge to further improve the applicability of SIT/IS against selected lepidopteran pests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications)
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