Effects of piperonyl butoxide synergism and cuticular thickening on the contact irritancy response of field Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) to deltamethrin

BACKGROUND Exploiting indoor‐resting mosquitoes' innate behavioral responses to commonly used insecticide is crucial in vector control programs. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long‐lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) treated with pyrethroids have become widely used for controlling dengue fever vectors. The present study tested the effects of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergism and cuticular thickening on the contact irritancy response of field A. aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) to deltamethrin in Taiwan and Thailand. RESULTS The escape response of field mosquitoes treated with PBO was significantly elicited, with an escape percentage increase between 2‐ and 10‐fold. In addition, the escape time was significantly lower in PBO‐pretreated mosquitoes compared with field mosquitoes treated with deltamethrin alone. PBO‐pretreated mosquitoes from seven out of 11 field strains exhibited a knockdown percentage of 11.23–54.91%, significantly higher than that of mosquitoes in corresponding strains treated with deltamethrin only. The Annan, Zhongxi, Sanmin, and North strains exhibited weak knockdown responses (≤3.75%). The mortality of PBO‐pretreated field mosquitoes increased 2‐ to 75‐fold compared with those treated with deltamethrin alone (mortality: 0–6.70%). Furthermore, the effect of cuticular thickness on the escape response of field mosquitoes was significant, that is, the escape response marginally increased inversely to cuticular thickness. By contrast, cuticular thickness was not significantly associated with knockdown or mortality percentage. CONCLUSION Irritant behavior in mosquitoes was significantly elicited by PBO synergism. PBO incorporating deltamethrin IRS or LLINs may be effective for controlling dengue fever vectors. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry The contact irritancy response of piperonyl butoxide pre‐exposed mosquitoes was significantly elicited, as evidenced from their increase escaping, knockdown, and mortality percentage. Escape response marginally increased inversely to cuticular thickness. By contrast, cuticular thickness was not significantly associated with knockdown or mortality percentage.