USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology 6 articles published in JoVE Biology Topical Application Bioassay to Quantify Insecticide Toxicity for Mosquitoes and Fruit Flies Brook M. Jensen1, Rachel A. Althoff1, Sarah E. Rydberg1, Emma N. Royster1, Alden Estep2, Silvie Huijben1 1Center for Evolution and Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 2United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology We describe the methodology and importance of the topical application bioassay to measure insecticide susceptibility in mosquitoes and fruit flies. The presented assay is high-throughput, utilizes insect mass-thus allowing for calculating a mass-relativized lethal dose instead of concentration-and likely has lower variability than other similar methods. Biology Preparing Irradiated and Marked Male Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes for Release in an Operational Sterile Insect Technique Program Bianca J. Moreno1, Robert L. Aldridge1, Seth C. Britch1, Barbara E. Bayer1, Jedidiah Kline1, Daniel A. Hahn2, Chao Chen2, Kenneth J. Linthicum1 1US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, & Veterinary Entomology, 2Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida The sterile insect technique (SIT) is used to control specific, medically important mosquito populations that may be resistant to chemical controls. Here, we describe a method of mass rearing and preparation of sterile male mosquitoes for release in an operational SIT program targeting the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Immunology and Infection Propagation of the Microsporidian Parasite Edhazardia aedis in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Anthony Grigsby*1, Brendan J. Kelly*1, Neil D. Sanscrainte2, James J. Becnel2, Sarah M. Short1 1Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, 2USDA/ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology A protocol to culture the microsporidian parasite Edhazardia aedis. The parasite is passaged from one generation of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to the next via horizontal transfer at the larval stage followed by vertical transmission at the adult stage. Live sporoplasms survive long-term in infected eggs. Environment Visualizing Efficacy of Pesticides Against Disease Vector Mosquitoes in the Field Seth C. Britch1, Kenneth J. Linthicum1, Robert L. Aldridge1, Frances V. Golden1, Todd W. Walker2 1Mosquito & Fly Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, & Veterinary Entomology, 2East Baton Rouge Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control The efficacy of public health pesticides targeting nuisance and disease-vector insects is not uniform across different ecological zones. Here we present a system of techniques using captive vector insects as sentinels for pesticide efficacy to derive electronic maps supporting the standard evaluation of pesticides across multiple environments. Environment Reproducible dsRNA Microinjection and Oviposition Bioassay in Mosquitoes and House Flies Neil D. Sanscrainte1, Christy M. Waits2,3, Christopher J. Geden1, Alden S. Estep1,2, James J. Becnel1 1USDA/ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, 2CMAVE Detachment, Navy Entomology Center of Excellence, 3Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute This protocol describes a microinjection methodology that we have standardized and used for several years to deliver specific quantities of nucleic acids directly to the hemolymph of mosquitoes and house flies. This protocol results in minimal injection mortality and allows dose correlated measurements of fecundity. Behavior Key Elements of Photo Attraction Bioassay for Insect Studies or Monitoring Programs Lee W. Cohnstaedt1, Jordan C. Disberger1, Eric Paulsen2, Adrian J. Duehl3 1Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 2Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 3Bayer Photo-attraction bioassay arenas are used to determine the optimal light color(s) to maximize insect attraction; however bioassays and methods are specific to target insect behaviors and habitats. Customizable equipment and modifications are explained for nocturnal or diurnal and terrestrial or aerial insects.