Aquatain AMF efficacy on juvenile mosquito stages in control ofCulex pipienscomplex andAedes albopictus

Abstract Aquatain®mosquito formulation (AMF) is a silicone‐based monomolecular film, which has recently been approved for use in the European Union. The physical mode of action based on lowering water surface tension prevents mosquito larvae/pupae respiration. Additionally, AMF disables gravid females from landing on the water surface and obstructs the natural oviposition process. Due to multistage effects on mosquitoes, AMF could be a product of choice for defined water body and container breeders such asCulex pipiensL. complex, principal vector of West Nile virus in Europe, and the invasiveAedes albopictus(Skuse) (both Diptera: Culicidae), vector of dengue and chikungunya viruses. The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of AMF, to determine the susceptibility of the immature forms ofC. pipiensandA. albopictus, and the persistence/longevity of the product to suppress the eclosion of adults. AMF achieved high mortality rates of juvenileA. albopictusandC. pipiensunder laboratory conditions. However, in the fieldC. pipienslarvae showed higher susceptibility to AMF thanA. albopictus. Pupae of the two mosquito species were highly susceptible to the presence of AMF. WhenC. pipiensjuveniles were exposed to AMF in the wild, effects lasted for 21 days in densely covered water bodies and 56 days in water recipients with less vegetation. In both breeding sites, natural habitat and artificial water recipient, the two mosquito species with high impact on public health in Europe could successfully be suppressed by application of AMF (1 ml m−2).