Host feeding responses of Aedes aegypti (L.) exposed to deltamethrin

ABSTRACT: Escape responses of mated and unmated nulliparous Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were compared using three different concentrations of deltamethrin in the presence or absence of a live animal host using an excito-repellency (ER) test system. Both insecticide contact (excitation) and non-contact (repellency) test configurations were compared. For contact trials, mated mosquitoes showed similar escape movements among the three concentrations when host stimuli were absent. Significant differences in responses were seen between the lower concentrations of (LC50 and LC75) deltamethrin with and without hosts present (P<0.05). Presence or absence of host stimuli produced no significant differences in escape response for unmated females when exposed to the highest concentration (LC90) of deltamethrin. Our findings indicate that as deltamethrin concentrations decrease to sublethal levels, mating status and host cues play a more significant role in escape behavior. Therefore, insemination can influence the outc...