Evaluation of the efect of insecticide Malathion applied as ultra low volume with portable and vehicle-mounted machines on Aedes aegypti control

Abstract

Portable and vehicle-mounted space spray machines for chemical control of adult Aedes aegypti were evaluated in São José do Rio Preto and Marília, São Paulo State, Brazil. The effect of both treatments was evaluated through sentinel cages with Ae. aegypti females and the impact on mosquito populations through adult collection inside and outside houses before and after treatments. Results were similar in both cities. The average percentage of mortality of caged mosquitoes inside the houses reached an average of 97.0% for both cities with portable machine and 54.3% with vehicle-mounted machine. Treatment with portable machine caused a mean reduction of percentage of positive houses with Ae. aegypti of 84.3 % and a reduction of mean number of females per house of 77.9%. Treatment with vehicle-mounted machines caused a mean reduction on percentage of positive houses with Ae. aegypti of 49.7% and on the mean number of females/house of 44.7. Data from evaluations show a significant higher impact on mosquito populations with portable machine, especially inside the houses which is the site where most vector females are found.