Development of a novel compact wind tunnel for testing formulated products against mosquitoes and other insects

Current methods for assessing efficacy of insecticide formulated products (FP) for mosquito control are cumbersome (e.g., large scale wind tunnels) or require time consuming, expensive, and weather-dependent field trials requiring multiple personnel. Given there is widespread resistance to pyrethroids and active ingredients (AI) from other insecticide classes globally, increased testing of adulticide (FP) is needed to inform operational response to protect public health from mosquito-borne diseases and aid in response after natural disasters such as hurricanes. There is a need for a low-cost solution that can be used to rapidly test and identify what insecticide to use, prior to large scale implementation. Our solution to the problem is a compact wind tunnel that fits inside a small fume hood. The wind tunnel chamber is specifically designed to accommodate mosquito cages and may be configured for a variety of FP to help programs save money on personnel time in the field and vehicle/ULV machine usage. Our previously developed prototype and new wind tunnel will be validated alongside field trials in collaboration with our industry partner, Clarke Mosquito Control. This work will advance the wind tunnel to further market development and could be potentially expanded for use in other arthropods.

Scholars @ ECU