Scientific achievements and reflections after 20 years of vector biology and control research at the Pu Teuy mosquito field research station, Thailand

Abstract

Additional vector control tools are needed to supplement current strategies to achieve malaria elimination and control of Aedes-borne diseases in many settings in Thailand and the Greater Mekong Sub-region. Within the next decade, the vector control community, Kasetsart University (KU), and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation must take full advantage of these tools that combine different active ingredients with different modes of action. Pu Teuy Mosquito Field Research Station (MFRS), Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University (KU), Thailand was established in 2001 and has grown into a leading facility for performing high-quality vector biology and control studies and evaluation of public health insecticides that are operationally relevant. Several onsite mosquito research platforms have been established including experimental huts, a 40-m long semi-field screening enclosure, mosquito insectary, field-laboratory, and living quarters for students and researchers. Field research and assessments ranged from ‘basic’ investigations on mosquito biology, taxonomy and genetics to more ‘applied’ studies on responses of mosquitoes to insecticides including repellency, behavioural avoidance and toxicity. In the course of two decades, 51 peer-reviewed articles have been published, and 7 masters and 16 doctoral degrees in Entomology have been awarded to national and international students. Continued support of key national stakeholders will sustain MFRS as a Greater Mekong Subregion centre of excellence and a resource for both insecticide trials and entomological research.

Effects of transfluthrin-treated jute and cotton clothing against resistant and susceptible Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in a semifield system

“…1a). For the present study, the enclosure was partitioned into two 20-m compartments 40 m opposite of each other (Salazar et al 2013, Sirisopa et al 2022). To prevent mosquito escape, each of the 2 compartments was installed with a rectangular mosquito net measuring 9 m in length, 4 m in width, and 3 m in height (Fig.…”

“…The World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme suggests a range of test procedures encompassing laboratory, tunnel, semifield, and field evaluations to better understand the effectiveness, and mechanisms of active ingredients designed for “spatial repellent” applications (WHO 2013). Semifield system (SFS) bioassays provide an intermediary between laboratory and open field trials (Sirisopa et al 2022). In this study, we investigated the protective efficacy of jute and cotton fabrics treated with 30% (v/w) volatile transfluthrin (97% purity) against human landing rates of Ae.…”

Correction: Scientific achievements and reflections after 20 years of vector biology and control research at the Pu Teuy mosquito field research station, Thailand

“…Following publication of the original article [ 1 ], it came to the authors' attention that the following funding was not acknowledged in the funding declaration: the International Research Network (IRN), Thailand Research Fund Organization (Grant No: IRN58W0003).…”