Progress 10/15/07 to 10/14/12
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): (1) Demonstrate a strategy for area-wide Aedes albopictus control; (2) demonstrate the public health importance and socio-economic benefits of area-wide mosquito control; and (3) transfer the strategy to end-users of the technology. Approach (from AD-416): Will establish and implement an areawide pest management research and action program for Asian tiger mosquito management which (a) results from a stakeholder partnership and collaboration dedicated to the demonstration and areawide adoption of Asian tiger mosquito control technologies and (b) achieves an Asian tiger mosquito management system so end-users, consultants and other interested parties will be left with an affordable program. This will require the development of a multidisciplinary approach between Federal, State, local and private interests, and whose participants will be involved in the program from conception to adoption. FY2011 activities at 6 sites in Mercer and Monmouth Counties, New Jersey (NJ) ended in November 2011 when no traps had Asian Tiger mosquitoes (ATM) . A 50%-60% reduction in adult ATM was achieved in the Full Intervention sites in both counties. Area-wide applications of pyriproxyfen had a significant effect on adult ATM and egg production that were, however, equivalent to Bti. The objectives for 2012 were primarily to (1) test definitively the effect of early season larvicide applications on ATM adult populations; (2) test if differences in the way ATM populations in urban and suburban NJ react to area-wide control reflect differences of larval production sites � specifically if Mercer County ATM populations explore more open containers while Monmouth County ATM populations explore cryptic habitats such as catch basins and rain gutter flexi-tubes; (3) Produce a series of Standard Operating Procedures to be provided to other mosquito control programs interested in controlling ATM; (4) Engage a series of mosquito control programs across the U.S. to test the strategies developed in the Area-wide ATM program. The weather patterns in New Jersey each year of the ATM project have been considerably different and record breaking. In 2011 we had very warm weather from spring to fall, and an especially wet summer, with an unusual hurricane with record rains at the end of August. In 2012 we experienced an unprecedented warm winter and spring leading to exceptionally high populations of ATM in Monmouth, as predicted by the temperature model we are developing, and predicted also ATM populations in inner city Trenton, very urban, have been depressed. The weather has proven a challenge, especially for surveillance, although it has also created unprecedented opportunities considering the consistent and large dataset we have now accumulated. Accomplishments 01 Confirmed that early season applications of a larvicide (Bti) have a significant impact on adult populations of the Asian tiger mosquito (ATM In 2011 we optimized area-wide applications of Bti and achieved consistent results relatively late in the season. As a result and after consultation with the Review Committee in our January 2012 meeting, we implemented successive applications of Bti in early summer 2012. To ful test the impact of larvicide application we chose not to apply adulticid in tandem. We made two successive week area-wide applications of full rate Bti with a Buffalo turbine. In both cases bioassays demonstrated >95% efficacy (no difference between front, mid, and back of parcels) an we saw significant decreases in the number of adult ATM for at least 1 month (this experiment is still in progress). 02 Prepared a series (6) of Standard Operational Procedures for control of ATM. These step-by-step files detail all the strategies we have successfully implemented: (1) BGS deployment and maintenance; (2) Adulticide area-wide applications; (3) Larvicide area-wide applications (3a Bti; 3b Methoprene); (4) Hot-spot ATM control; (5) Bioassays; (6) Ovitrap deployment. They have been made available to mosquito control programs with ATM infestations. To this date we have distributed to and discussed these protocols with over 15 separate programs. 03 Created a standard susceptible colony of Asian Tiger Mosquito (ATM) for insecticide resistance. This colony has been examined for all classes o insecticides (organochlorides, carbamates, organophosphates, and Insect Growth Regulators). Specifically, we have tested this colony for susceptibility to (Bti, Spinosad, Temephos, Propoxur, Methoprene, Pyriproxifen, DDT, Malathion, Deltamethrin, Prallethrin, Phenothrin). W have already provided specimens to colleagues for informed comparisons o insecticide resistance across laboratories and ATM populations. 04 Obtained and optimized a panel of hypervariable microsatellite loci for S. Asian Tiger Mosquito (ATM). Analysis of the population genetics of A across the U.S. has demonstrated unexpected patterns of differentiation often between relatively close populations (< 50 miles apart) that agree with findings, that like other Aedes species ATM is a weak flyer. Importantly, these findings shed light on some of the crucial difference we have observed between urban and suburban populations and combined wit the results from insecticide resistance tests also indicate the presence of multiple introductions of ATM into the U.S.A. 05 Finalized data manipulation and analysis. Completed data collection and analysis for the economic costs of the Asian Tiger Mosquito (ATM) surveillance, research and control activities from Monmouth and Mercer Counties and Rutgers University. Completed data entry and coding of the 2011 household survey. Found that residents would be willing to pay mor now (41%) or later (43%) for enhanced mosquito control services while 16 would not pay more. The perceived monetary benefits to the counties� 1. million residents for an enhanced control program would be $9.61 million annually. Thus, collectively residents perceived monetary benefits of 67 times the annual operating costs ($2.61 million) of the counties� existing programs. Presented preliminary results of the benefit-cost analysis of the Area Wide Pest Management Program at the Annual Meeting the American Mosquito Control Association.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) (1) Demonstrate a strategy for area-wide Aedes albopictus control; (2) demonstrate the public health importance and socio-economic benefits of area-wide mosquito control; and (3) transfer the strategy to end-users of the technology. Approach (from AD-416) Will establish and implement an areawide pest management research and action program for Asian tiger mosquito management which (a) results from a stakeholder partnership and collaboration dedicated to the demonstration and areawide adoption of Asian tiger mosquito control technologies and (b) achieves an Asian tiger mosquito management system so end-users, consultants and other interested parties will be left with an affordable program. This will require the development of a multidisciplinary approach between Federal, State, local and private interests, and whose participants will be involved in the program from conception to adoption. FY2010 activities at 6 sites in Mercer and Monmouth Counties, NJ ended in November 2009 when no traps had Asian Tiger mosquitoes (ATM). A 50%-60% reduction in adult ATM was achieved in the Full Intervention sites in both counties; with a maximum 75% reduction in Monmouth County. Backpack applications of pyriproxyfen in 10% of the sites had no effect on adult ATM. Active educational efforts reduced the containers in backyards but need reinforcement. A protocol for 2011 was drafted and reviewed with the external Project Evaluation Team in January. After its approval, surveillance activities began in May with weekly trapping of adults in Biogents Sentinel (BGS) traps, egg counts and species identification from ovitraps. The 2011 control efforts began in April and focused on area-wide application of larvicides guided by a degree-day model. The Full Intervention and Control sites were switched in Monmouth County to measure cumulative effects of prior source reduction activities and evaluate the degree-day, area-wide larvicide strategy. No parcel-to-parcel source reduction or larviciding was conducted. In July, a �hot-spot� treatment using BGS traps; treatment of larval habitats with Spinosad, source reduction, and removal of excess vegetation; and hand held Ultra Low Volume spraying occurred in the Full Intervention site in Mercer County. Mosquito surveillance ends when there are no Ae. albopictus in 188 traps for 2 weeks. In 2011, an effort began to expand the project from the 2 original NJ counties to 2 �new� sites in Mercer and Monmouth Counties, 2-4 sites in 1- 3 counties in PA, LA,VA, and FL. Prior to detection of ATM activity, sites were surveyed with 20-25 ovitraps. Egg papers were sent to Rutgers for processing to find pairs of sites with similar ATM dynamics where control activities might occur in 2012. During the Brandeis�s team�s field visit to Monmouth and Mercer Counties in February 2011, costing information for the ATM control and research was compiled by activity, source of funding, and site. Cost analyses were conducted in Monmouth (4 yrs) and Mercer County (3 yrs) and will be completed in August 2011. The second round of the interviews for 221 households in Monmouth and Mercer Counties was conducted in late 2010. This survey refined approaches for assessing willingness-to-pay and quality of life. Combining these interviews with the responses from the third round of the household knowledge, attitude and behavior survey yielded 650+ respondents from the 1,700 households selected for the survey and interviews. The survey was to ask how mosquitoes affect household members� mosquito-related experience and quality of life; time they spent or would have spent in outdoor activities. The results show a significant improvement in the quality of life for residents in the intervention areas compared to the control areas. A difference-in-difference analysis suggests that these two interventions were effective in mitigating the mosquito burden. The results showed a gain in total hours in outdoor activities in the Full Intervention areas, where the change is statistically significant, and a favorable trend for the educational intervention. Accomplishments 01 Sequenced the single copy genome of the Asian Tiger mosquito (ATM). ATM have large amounts of repetitive genetic material that have until recent been difficult to develop into population level genetic markers. A technique developed at Rutgers University was used to remove the repetitive material, isolate a single copy, and then use it to obtain large sequences of this material. This is the first large-scale sequenc of this genetic material for this disease vector which will be developed into useful population markers. These markers will be used to determine the source and number of ATM introductions into the United States and around the world. This information will lead to the development of more effective strategies to recognize and respond to the introduction and spread of other nuisance mosquitoes and disease vectors of humans and livestock. 02 Developed and implemented a new technique to identify the source of bloo meals in the Asian Tiger mosquito (ATM). Analysis of the source of mosquito blood meals is a critically important technique in the full understanding of disease transmission risk to humans and livestock. It also important in the identification of source of the blood meals as the relate to understanding population dynamics of the ATM and other mosquitoes. Existing blood meal analysis methodologies have failed to work for the ATM. We have designed and implemented a new approach that uses a unique laboratory technique that effectively works in the ATM and can be expanded to other mosquito species. This new technique is inexpensive and allows for the rapid recognition of hosts and assessment of the frequency of blood meals taken from human and livestock hosts. 03 Developed a rapid method to identify the eggs of mosquitoes that are fou in containers. The first step in developing a successful integrated management program for mosquitoes is the identification of the target mosquitoes and the source of their production. To do this, a set of effective surveillance methods (traps) is essential. Inexpensive ovitra are effective sampling tools for ATMs, but a limitation of these traps, which can be deployed in high density, is the identification of the eggs that are deposited therein. This is usually accomplished by a labor intensive process involving hatching of the eggs, rearing of the larvae, and finally identification of the immature (larvae) mosquitoes. We have developed a special laboratory test that allows the pooling of at least 000 eggs. This new procedure allows for the identification of all five Aedes mosquitoes that occur in containers and impact feed on humans and livestock along the mid-Atlantic states. 04 Prepared a manuscript on willingness to pay for enhanced mosquito contro services. Following three years of research associated with the Asian Tiger mosquito (ATM) Area-Wide Pest Management (AWPM) project, Brandeis University researchers have summarized results of their unique research activities into a manuscript which describes their results from a specialized �willingness to pay� (WTP) technique. This technique is used in the economic analysis of programs where the benefits are collective, the case with the ATM AWPM project. Such programs are difficult or almos impossible to provide through the private sector and are widely funded collectively in the U.S. through taxes or charitable donations. The manuscript reports responses from a 2008 telephone survey of 51 randomly selected households in the New Jersey study areas. The mean (�standard error) annual WTP for an enhanced mosquito abatement program was $9.54�$ 90 per capita. Most respondents were willing to pay immediately through taxes (35%) or charitable donations (6%) or through one of these means i the future (43%); while 16% were unwilling to pay for additional abateme services. The study projected that the counties� 1.01 million residents the area surveyed would be willing to pay $9.61 million annually for an enhanced mosquito control program. Thus, collectively, residents would b willing to provide new funds, equivalent to 3.67 times the combined 2008 annual operating costs ($2.61 million) of the counties� existing mosquit control programs. This accomplishment led to more refined methods to measure WTP, as well as, approaches to assess quality of life, changes i outdoor activities, and other outcomes impacted by mosquito control. The results reflect a positive attitude of residents toward mosquito control and their enjoyment of more outdoor activities while recognizing its rol in the elimination of mosquitoes and prevention of the diseases that the transmit to humans and livestock.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Bartlett-Healy, K., Hamilton, G., Healy, S., Crepeau, T., Unlu, I., Farajollahi, A., Fonscea, D., Gaugler, R., Clark, G.G., Strickman, D.A. 2011. Source reduction behavior as an independent measurement of the impact of a public health education campaign in an integrated vector management program for the Asian tiger mosquito. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 8:1358-1367.
- Unlu, I., Farajollahi, A., Healy, S., Crepeau, T., Bartlett-Healy, K., Williges, E., Strickman, D.A., Clark, G.G., Gaugler, R., Fonseca, D.M. 2011. Area-wide management of Aedes albopictus: choice of study sites based on geospatial characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and mosquito populations. Pest Management Science. 67:965-974.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) (1) Demonstrate a strategy for area-wide Aedes albopictus control; (2) demonstrate the public health importance and socio-economic benefits of area-wide mosquito control; and (3) transfer the strategy to end-users of the technology. Approach (from AD-416) Will establish and implement an areawide pest management research and action program for Asian tiger mosquito management which (a) results from a stakeholder partnership and collaboration dedicated to the demonstration and areawide adoption of Asian tiger mosquito control technologies and (b) achieves an Asian tiger mosquito management system so end-users, consultants and other interested parties will be left with an affordable program. This will require the development of a multidisciplinary approach between Federal, State, local and private interests, and whose participants will be involved in the program from conception to adoption. The FY2009 field activities at the 6 sites concluded in November 2009 after the number of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes (ATM) collected in the BGS traps and ovitraps became zero in both Mercer and Monmouth Counties. Based on experience acquired in 2009, the CORE team developed a protocol for FY2010 which was discussed, evaluated and optimized. Control activities in 2010 began in April in both counties when source reduction larviciding was initiated. Surveillance began in April to monitor the entire mosquito season and included weekly trapping of adults with BGS traps, egg counts and species identification from ovitraps, and container surveys in 50 houses in the full intervention and control plots. Backpack pyriproxyfen applications were made to selected parcels in Mercer County in May to 10 acre plots. Pyriproxyfen (an insect growth regulator which is effective at very small concentrations) auto dissemination stations (�tiger tubes�) were designed, constructed, and deployed in the full intervention site and the �tiger tube� only plot during July in Monmouth County. Female ATM are attracted to these oviposition sites and contact the pesticide on their tarsi (�feet�) and distribute it to other cryptic larval habitats; exploiting the �skip- oviposition behavior� of the ATM. We also studied the impact of adulticides and the effects of day-length and container type on female oviposition behavior and the effect of temperature. We developed a rapid assay for identifying the ATM host�s blood meal, a quantitative method for genetic identification of eggs, baseline studies of insecticide resistance, and population genetic markers for the ATM. In phase 1 of the household survey, 450 of 1,350 households randomly chosen from residential lists responded to the knowledge, attitude and behavior (KAB) survey. When asked to what extent mosquitoes prevented them from enjoying outdoor activities, 64% felt that mosquitoes prevented their enjoyment. In addition, 21% were prevented �a little bit� and 15% were �not at all� impacted. The rates were similar in Mercer and Monmouth Counties. For phase 2 of the survey, the modified survey instrument had 11 behavior items from the educational campaign. The second phase of the KAB survey used a mixed sample frame and invited households who responded to the first phase to participate again and randomly selected 1,050 new households for a total sample size of 1,500. To analyze phase 1 of the 2008 �willingness to pay study,� we randomly selected 197 households from residential lists. Forty-three were reached, responded, and generated complete data. Willingness to pay to control mosquitoes was endorsed by 44% of respondents; 89% would pay higher taxes and 11% would make regular charitable contributions. The mean willingness to pay was $0.38 per person per month (pppm) and ranged from $0.05 to $5.00 with a median of $0.50 pppm. This implied that residents would support an additional $4.6 million ($4.60/capita) annually in county taxes (a 154% increase) for mosquito control. Of those not willing to pay, 71% �could not afford regular payments.� Economic cost analyses for both counties are partially complete.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) (1) Demonstrate a strategy for area-wide Aedes albopictus control; (2) demonstrate the public health importance and socio-economic benefits of area-wide mosquito control; and (3) transfer the strategy to end-users of the technology. Approach (from AD-416) Will establish and implement an areawide pest management research and action program for Asian tiger mosquito management which (a) results from a stakeholder partnership and collaboration dedicated to the demonstration and areawide adoption of Asian tiger mosquito control technologies and (b) achieves an Asian tiger mosquito management system so end-users, consultants and other interested parties will be left with an affordable program. This will require the development of a multidisciplinary approach between Federal, State, local and private interests, and whose participants will be involved in the program from conception to adoption. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Field activities at the 9 sites surveyed in Mercer and Monmouth Counties during the 2008 mosquito season terminated at the end of October. At that time, Brandeis University personnel implemented a household survey to: (1) determine the cost of individual and household mosquito control activities, (2) measure the improvement in residents� quality of life achieved by this program, and (3) ascertain residents� �willingness to pay� for potential mosquito control activities. Information on Asian Tiger Mosquito (ATM) density between July 15 and October 31, along with equivalent socioeconomic parameters (i.e., plot size, economic status, housing condition and education level), were used to select 3 study sites in each county. Pre-intervention data were collected in both Mercer and Monmouth Counties and sites were randomly assigned to (1) full intervention, (2) educational intervention only, and (3) an untreated �control� area. The surveys included mail and telephone interviews. The sample frame for this survey was created from public records. A random sample of 1,349 households was selected; half from Mercer County and half from Monmouth County. A total of 186 households received the telephone interview and the mail survey, while 1,163 households received the mail survey only. The core of the survey was to understand how mosquitoes affect the householders� quality of life, including outdoor activities. Preparations are being made to conduct a second survey in August 2009 and data are being collected to ascertain the costs of organized control activities in these counties. Based on field experience acquired in 2008, including several trials of promising insecticides, the Core team developed a protocol for 2009. The protocol was presented to the Project Evaluation Team in February, and following productive discussions by project members and the Team, it was approved. The 2009 field activities began in late April when both Monmouth and Mercer Counties initiated source reduction and educational campaigns. Surveillance activities initiated in mid-May included weekly trapping of adults with BGS traps, egg counts and species identification from ovitraps, 50-house container surveys (Breteau index), and bi-weekly counts of artificial containers with water or with mosquito larvae near the ovitraps. The number of females collected has increased while there was an apparent 50% reduction in numbers of ATM between the full intervention site and the untreated �control� site. A reinvasion analysis examining the spatial order and rates of recurrence of ATM eggs is being conducted, as are blood meal analyses, studies of oviposition site height, and effects of day-length and container type on female oviposition behavior. Supporting research includes the development of quantitative genetic identification of eggs, baseline studies of insecticide resistance, and development of population genetic markers for the ATM. Protocols for adulticiding and the use of residual insecticides are being developed. For project communications, ATM project staff are using Google groups (AsianTigerMozzie@googlegroups.com) and developing a showcase website for the ATM project.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) (1) Demonstrate a strategy for area-wide Aedes albopictus control; (2) demonstrate the public health importance and socio-economic benefits of area-wide mosquito control; and (3) transfer the strategy to end-users of the technology. Approach (from AD-416) Will establish and implement an areawide pest management research and action program for Asian tiger mosquito management which (a) results from a stakeholder partnership and collaboration dedicated to the demonstration and areawide adoption of Asian tiger mosquito control technologies and (b) achieves an Asian tiger mosquito management system so end-users, consultants and other interested parties will be left with an affordable program. This will require the development of a multidisciplinary approach between Federal, State, local and private interests, and whose participants will be involved in the program from conception to adoption. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This research is entirely within the scope of National Program 104 Veterinary, Medical, and Urban Entomology Research, Component 4 Control Technology. The initial meeting of the program�s leadership was held in Philadelphia in November 2007. In January, 2008, ARS staff from the Mosquito and Fly Research Unit (MFRU) in Gainesville, FL and the National Program Leader for NP-104 visited Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ to meet project staff and prepare detailed plans for the program. A subsequent meeting was held in May at Rutgers University with program participants from MFRU, Rutgers and Brandeis Universities, and the leaders of the Mercer and Monmouth County mosquito control programs to review the status of the program and its numerous sub-projects. During this visit, key urban areas in both counties were visited and field reconnaissance of potential study areas was conducted. The economists from Brandeis University also discussed collection of data that they needed with the two county program leaders. Subsequently, multiple meetings were held in March and April with staff from Clarke Mosquito Control resulting in their incorporation into the project and provision of substantial amounts of equipment, supplies and chemicals, as well as their expertise in mosquito control programs. After an annual evaluation team (i.e., two staff from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an entomologist from Tulane University and from the University of Florida) was selected, a conference call with all of the project participants mentioned above, the evaluation team, the NPL for NP-104, and the ARS Area-Wide Program Coordinator was held in late July to discuss the project. A Google-Docs project summary was developed at Rutgers and serves as an online, electronic repository of information about the program�s 20 subprojects. These subprojects focus on immature and adult mosquito control, overwintering behavior, mosquito surveillance, trap placement, studies of the chemical to be used to kill adult Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, insecticide resistance, development of population genetic markers, use of sterile males for mosquito control, public education, economics, and childhood activity. There are also six sub-projects exploring critical aspects of mosquito life history including blood meal analysis, vertical oviposition, time of day for host-seeking and oviposition, and resting locations. This information indicates the status of protocol development and associated activities, is updated periodically, and can be accessed by sub-project team members as well as all participants in the July teleconference. It also allows the project�s principal investigators at MFRU and Rutgers to easily monitor sub-project activity. In addition, numerous electronic and telephonic communications occurred between the Area-Wide Project PI and the senior project staff at Rutgers.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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