Mark–Release–Recapture (MRR) of Sterile Male Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in Sri Lanka: Field Performance of Sterile Males and Estimation of the Wild Mosquito Population Density.

Simple Summary: Dengue is an endemic disease in Sri Lanka causing frequent cyclical epidemics. Aedes albopictus is a dengue vector mosquito which is widely spread in many parts of the country. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a novel dengue vector control approach to be integrated with the currently available vector control methods. A series of Mark–Release–Recapture (MRR) experiments were conducted in Sri Lanka against Ae. albopictus using gamma-ray-sterilized males to evaluate the field performance of the sterilized males and estimate the wild mosquito population size to be used for future SIT trials. Results obtained from this study can be used for planning future pilot field trials in Sri Lanka. Dengue is an important mosquito-borne disease in Sri Lanka. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an environment-friendly and novel method that can suppress dengue vector mosquitoes in Sri Lanka. This study aimed to evaluate the field performance of sterile males and the density of wild male Aedes albopictus (Skuse) using a Mark–Release–Recapture (MRR) assay. Laboratory-colonized male pupae were exposed to 50 Gy gamma using a Co60 source. Sterile males (approx. 10,000) marked with fluorescent dust were released weekly for 4 consecutive weeks (January–February 2021) in a geographically isolated 30 ha site in Gampaha. Results show sterile males could disperse up to 543.8 m with a mean distance of 255.1 ± 44.6 m and survive up to 6 days with a mean life expectancy of 3.55 ± 2.32 days. A high field mating competitiveness of sterile males based on a Fried value of 0.47 ± 0.007 and significant induced sterility in the wild eggs in the second generation were found. The mean wild male mosquito population density was 163 males/ha. The data generated will be useful for designing future trials in Sri Lanka and other countries with similar situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]