D3007: Assessing the transfer of pyriproxyfen from mosquitoes to non-target pollinators via an autodissemination approach

Autodissemination is a method of pesticide self-delivery, which is premised upon the use of mosquitoes to deliver lethal doses of insect growth regulators (IGR's) to the cryptic breeding locations. Autodissemination approaches have recently been shown to be successful at reducing mosquito populations. However, little is known about the potential for non-target effects of autodissemination approaches. While the direct targeting of cryptic mosquito breeding locations seems like a significant advantage over large scale applications of insecticides, this could actually be more harmful to non-target organisms by delivering these highly potent long lasting IGRs to where anthophilous insects seek nectar sources. Here we have examined for the transfer of an IGR (pyriproxyfen) to nectar sources and Honeybees (Apis mellifera) by treating Aedes albopictus maleswith pyriproxyfen and releasing them in the lab cages along with Ae. albopictus females and A. mellifera. Transfer of pyriproxyfen to artificial nectar sources, con-specific females, and A. mellifera was confirmed by imaging, bioassays and mass spectrometry analysis. The results demonstrate the transfer of pyriproxyfen to nectar sources, A. mellifera and the potential risks to insect pollinators associated with using autodissemination approaches. To understand the risk of autodissemination approaches for mosquito control to insect pollinators additional studies are required to examine for inter-specific pyriproxyfen transfer in more field realistic conditions, and to examine for lethal and non-lethal effects of pyriproxyfen exposure in insect pollinators.