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ViewAttendees 3

10-Minute Paper

Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology

MUVE: Vector and Pathogen Surveillance - Insects

Confirmation of stakeholder acceptance and semi-field efficacy of RNAi-yeast attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs) on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad

Sunday, November 5, 2023
1:24 PM – 1:36 PM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Potomac 3-4
In-Person
ATSBs exploit the intrinsic sugar feeding behavior of adult mosquitoes that are lured to feed on sugar sources laced with insecticides. RNAi insecticides, a new class of species-specific insecticides, could potentially be deployed as ATSBs to combat insecticide resistance and reduce the burden of mosquito-borne illnesses. Sh.463, interfering RNA that silences mosquito Shaker genes, kills mosquitoes through disruption of neural function, but is not toxic to non-target arthropods. Sh.463 expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast) enables inexpensive insecticide production and facilitates pesticide delivery to mosquitoes, which consume RNAi-yeast as an active ingredient in ATSBs. This technology was hypothesized to represent an effective and consumer-accepted mosquito control intervention. Online surveys and focus groups gauged stakeholder interest and perceptions of the technology in Trinidad, where ATSB efficacy was subsequently assessed in semi-field trials. These online stakeholder engagement exercises, which were further confirmed in live community engagement forums, demonstrated that stakeholders were receptive to the new mosquito control intervention, for which they provided valuable feedback that will be used to optimize deployment of the technology. Semi-field trials were performed to assess the impact of RNAi yeast-baited ATSBs on Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus, the most important disease-causing and nuisance biting mosquito species in Trinidad. Following optimization of semi-field feeding protocols, high ATSB feeding rates that induced up to 100% mosquito morbidity were observed. These results indicate that RNAi yeast-baited ATSBs may represent an important addition to integrated vector control initiatives, a concept that will be further explored in future field trials.