@article{fdi:010067390,
  title = {{T}he effects of age at first mating and release ratios on the mating competitiveness of {G}amma sterilised {A}edes albopictus males under semi field conditions},
  author = {{D}amiens, {D}avid and {T}jeck, {P}.{O}. and {L}ebon, {C}yrille and {L}e {G}off, {G}ilbert and {G}ouagna, {L}ouis-{C}l{\'e}ment},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground : {T}he success of the {S}terile {I}nsect {T}echnique for areawide vector control relies crucially on the ability of sterile males to outcompete their wild counterparts for mating with wild females. {C}ompetitiveness tests are commonly performed for assessing quality sterile males intended for field release programs, but there are few reports on the optimal age and ratio for sterile {A}edes albopictus male release in a {SIT} program. {O}bjective : {H}ere, a series of mating competitiveness experiments with different age (1, 3, and 5 d post-emergence) and ratios (1:1, 5:1, and 10:1) of sterile to wild males were carried out in a walk-in field cage under semi-field conditions to examine variations in the mating competitiveness of irradiated adult {A}e. albopictus males. {M}ethods : {P}upae from laboratory-reared {A}e. albopictus were irradiated at 35 {G}y and introduced in field cages at different ages post emergence and at different ratios with a cohort of wild males and females. {T}he mating competitiveness of sterile versus fertile males, and sterility induction into wild females measured through the egg hatch were observed. {R}esults : {T}he age of sterile males {A}e. albopictus significantly affected their competitiveness when confronted with wild males of the same age. {C}ompetitiveness of sterile males was significantly lower after emergence (1-day old) than when they were older (3-5 days old). {P}resumably, 3-days old sterile males may be considered as the optimal age for sterile male releases. {A}t this optimal age, induced sterility rates increased as the proportion of irradiated males relative to the wild male increased. {C}onclusion : {O}ur study points to the fact that sugar feeding prior to field release, could be administered for 3 days post-emergence in order to enhance the performance of sterile males. {C}onsistent with early investigations under competitive situations differing in sterile male-to-wild male ratio, the level of induced sterility in the wild females increased as the proportion of irradiated males relative to the wild male increased.},
  keywords = {{REUNION}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{V}ector {B}iology {J}ournal},
  volume = {1},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {[7  en ligne]},
  ISSN = {2473-4810},
  year = {2016},
  DOI = {10.4172/2473-4810.1000107},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010067390},
}