EFFECTS OF 2 INSECT GROWTH-REGULATORS ON THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF AEDES-AEGYPTI (DIPTERA, CULICIDAE) TO MOLINEMA-DESSETAE (NEMATODA, FILARIOIDEA)

The effects of 2 growth regulators, diflubenzuron (DFB) and OMS 2017, on the ability of females Aedes aegypti to become infected with Moline ma dessetae was studied under laboratory conditions. OMS 2017 and DFB had no effect on either the amount of blood ingested or the microfilar ial load. The infective potential of females that survived DFB treatme nt was significantly greater than untreated females, but there was no difference between OMS 2017-treated and control females. The percentag e of infective larvae in the head after OMS 2017 and DFB treatments wa s significantly greater than for control females. Insect growth regula tors appear to affect the vectorial competence of mosquitoes, and thes e results indicate the need for preliminary studies before these compo unds are used in large-scale control programs.