Modified technique of Wolbachia removal from Malaysian Aedes albopictus

Objective:To develop an artificial and modified Wolbaehia removal technique using tetracycline from naturally Wolbachia infected Aedes albopictus(Ae.albopictus)so as to be able to produce generations of Wolbaehia free offsprings.Methods:In this study,seven different tetracycline treatment methods were conducted to obtain the best removal method.Four methods focused on larvae tetracycline treatment,one method on both larvae and adult tetracycline treatment and the last two methods on adult mosquito sucrose treatment.Results:All larval tetracycline treatments resulted in either high larvae mortality,sterile F_o adult mosquitoes or unsuccessful Wolbaehia removal.Treatment of both larvae and adults resulted in reduced larvae mortality,successful Wolbachia removal but slow mosquito fecundity.As for the adult treatment,1.0 mg/mL as previously published was not aisle to completely remove Wolbaehia in F,generation whereas 1.25 mg/mL successfully removed Wolbachia from F,and F,mosquitoes in 2 weeks.Conclusions:This method is different from the previously published methods as it provides an improved Watbachia removal technique from Ae.albopictus with high egg hatchability.low larvae mortality,increased fecundity and better Wolbaehia removal rate.