44 - Operational evaluation of ReMoa Tri against pyrethroid- and naled-resistant arbovirus vector species in Collier County, Florida

Collier Mosquito Control District is home to over 50 species of mosquitoes, among them disease vector species Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Unfortunately, local populations of both vectors have shown indications of pyrethroid and/or naled resistance, which has severely limited the District’s treatment options in the event of a disease outbreak. The introduction of ReMoa Tri presented a possible alternative. Because ReMoa Tri includes abamectin, which has a different mode of action than either pyrethroids or organophosphates, it was theorized that this material might be effective even against the District’s most insecticide-resistant mosquito strains.

To evaluate this new product, the District first performed a series of semi-field trials in which adults from various local mosquito strains were placed in field cages and challenged with a ground-based ULV application of either ReMoa Tri or Merus 3.0, a pyrethroid. The results indicated that the ReMoa Tri successfully controlled not only pyrethroid-resistant Cx. quinquefasciatus but also naled- and pyrethroid-resistant Ae. aegypti. Based on these results, the District has initiated operational field trials in selected residential areas. These trials are ongoing, but preliminary data suggest that ReMoa Tri shows promise as an effective addition to the District’s integrated mosquito management program.