IPRC - 2016

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/157

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Eliminating female Aedes mosquitoes by spiking blood meals with toxicants as a sex separation method in the context of the sterile insect technique and Incompatible Insect Technique
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Ranathunga, R.M.T.B.; Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.; Udayanga, N.W.B.A.L.; Wijegunawardena, N.D.A.; Abeyewickreme, W.
Ivermectin and spinosad have longevity reducing effects in several insect species, including disease transmitting mosquitoes after feeding blood contaminated with above toxicants on hosts. Therefore, this approach could play an enormous role in mosquito control operations by its use in the female elimination process during mass-rearing, enabling the release of only sterile males in the context of the sterile insect technique (SIT) and incompatible insect technique (IIT) with Wolbachia bacterium. Blood meals of cattle origin were spiked with diffeerenct concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 ppm) of Ivermectin (Ivotec, 1% w/v) and Spinosad (Spinosyn, 12% w/v) and offered to a batch of adult Ae. aegypti (n = 300) and Ae. albopictus (n = 300) having 1:1 sex ratio in order to obtain an optimal dose for quick and total female elimination. After 24 hours all remaining females and males were aspirated out and transferred in to new cages separately. An additional blood meal with the initially fed concentrations of ivermectin and spinosad was provided after 24 hours, followed by a 48-hour observation of mortality. This experiment was repeated by feeding cattle blood containing a mixture of ivermectin and spinosad in 1:1 ratio from each concentration. Spiked blood with 8 ppm ivermectin and spinosad killed all the fed females of Ae aegypti and Ae. abopictus within 24 to 48 hours. It was observed that the number of fed females gradually increased, when decreasing the toxicity in combination of ivermectin and spinosad (1:1) in blood for both species. Male mortality did not show any significant differences during the study. Mixed feeding of blood with 8 ppm ivermectin and 8 ppm spinosad have shown as the viable treatment to eliminate female Ae aegypti and Ae. abopictus from laboratory colonies.
Evaluation the Oviposition Behaviour of Aedes Aegypti and Ae. Albopictus Mosquitoes; Main and Secondary Vector for Dengue Transmission in Sri Lanka under Laboratory Conditions
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.; Ranathunga, R.M.T.B.; Udayanga, N.W.B.A.L.; Abeyewickreme, W.
Studies on the oviposition behavior of Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti are critical for effective controlling of dengue vector breeding. However, less attention has been drawn on such aspects of vector biology and bionomics in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the oviposition behavior of dengue vectors under laboratory conditions. Ovitraps with different sizes, colours, sources of water, sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration (0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3%) and presence and absence of larvae were kept within separate cages of batches of 1000 Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti with (1:1, male: female ratio). Female mosquitoes were allowed to lay eggs and the number of eggs laid in different ovitraps were enumerated. ANOVA and cluster analysis were used to investigate the significance in the variations among oviposition behaviours. The mean number of eggs laid by both Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti increased with the increasing size of the ovitraps. Ae. albopictus indicated the highest mean number of eggs in 0.2% of NaCl than that of distilled water, while the egg laying preference reduced with the increasing salinity for both species. Drain water with low dissolved oxygen level (0.43 ± 0.12 mg/l) was the preferred water source for both species and indicated a significantly high oviposition rate in ovitraps with larvae. Black colour ovitraps attracted the majority of the gravid females, while white was least preferred. There were no significant variations among oviposition behaviors of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti under laboratory conditions. Back coloured ovitraps were the preferred breeding place.
Prevalence of dengue vector breeding habitats among selected Schools in Gampaha District of Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Radhika, N.M.L.; Gunathilaka, P.A.D.H.N.; Kasturiratne, K.T.A.A.; Abeyewickreme, W.
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the vectors responsible for the transmission of dengue viruses in Sri Lanka. Gampaha District has been ranked as the second most Dengue affected area. Recently, health authorities have identified that over 54 percent of schools have dengue mosquito breeding sites. However, the entomological information on the dengue vectors in School premises are not available. Therefore, the present study was carried out to identify the different breeding sites of dengue vector mosquitoes within school premises of randomly selected schools in Gampaha District of Sri Lanka. The premises of the selected schools (n= 34) were surveyed from May to October in 2016 for the availability of potential breeding habitats and the presence of vector breeding through entomological surveys. Collected vectors were identified morphologically and categorized inn to species level. All data on breeding habitats and number of vectors identified were recorded. According to survey, out of 34 schools surveyed; infested water-holding containers by Ae. albopictus were observed at 16 schools (47, 05%). Tree holes (Bridelia retusa tree), leaf axils of banana tree and fallen leaves were observed as natural breeding sites while, discarded plastic food containers plastic paint containers, broken pet bottles, tire marks on the ground, water retaining flower pots and plastic barrels were observed as artificial breeding sites. Breeding of Ae. aegypti was not identified among the school premises surveyed. Improper management of solid waste has affected positively in creating suitable habitats for vector breeding. Therefore, continuous monitoring of dengue vector breeding habitats and school based vector controlling interventions should be implemented through proper awareness and active participation for eliminating breeding habitats.