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The sterilization process using gamma irradiation is a crucial component in a program using sterile insect technique (SIT) to control Aedes aegypti. Unfortunately, there is no efficient standard protocol for sterilizing mosquitoes that can produce a high level of sterility while maintaining mating ability and longevity. Therefore, we conducted a study of the critical factors necessary to develop such a standard protocol. In this study, male Ae. aegypti pupae, as well as adults aged 1 d and 3 d, were irradiated using a Gamma-cell 220 irradiator doses of 0, 20, 40, 60, 70, 80, and 100 Gray (Gy). In addition, male Ae. aegypti in the pupal and adult stage aged 1 d were irradiated at a dose of 70 Gy at various temperatures. Changes in emergence rates, longevity, sterility, and mating competitiveness were recorded for each combination of parameters. Results showed that an increase of irradiation dose leads to a rise of induced sterility at all developmental stages, while simultaneously reducing emergence rate, survival, and mating competitiveness. Higher temperatures resulted in increased levels of sterility, reduced longevity, and did not affect the ability to mate. This study found that an irradiation dose of 70 Gy at a temperature between 20.00 and 22.30°C administered in the pupal stage induced a high level of sterility (around 98%), while maintaining mating competitiveness and longevity.

Given the facts that Indonesia has suitable environment condition to survival, reproduction and development of the principal mosquito vector for dengue virus, Aedes aegypti, the transmission of dengue virus does routinely occur every year. The sterile insect technique (SIT) as one of the techniques in area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) has been developed to control Aedes aegypti population since 2004. The first 5 years of the program (2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)) was focused on mass rearing facility establishment. The lab-work study for the entomological data and field trials were performed in 2010-2014. In 2014-2019, the program was addressed to enhance the mass rearing facility to increase sterile male production and strengthening the networking throughout the involvement in the regional and interregional program coordinated by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The main future challenge of the SIT program against Aedes aegypti is developing the capacity building and strong commitment of all stakeholders i.e. the Ministry of Health, the universities, the research institutes and the public. In the future work plan, the pilot project design to proof the concept of the SIT is strongly recommended to obtain a firm, unbiased and strong results as the consideration for the decision maker to create the Aedes control program in Indonesia.Journal homepage: http://aij.batan.go.id