Effects of Photofrin II on adults of Eretmapodites quinquevittatus.

This research was conducted to further assess the efficacy of photosensitizers as adult mosquito control agents. Fourth-stage larvae of Eretmapodites quinquevittatus were fed Photofrin porfimer sodium (PII) (< or = 3.75 microg/ml) and the resulting adults (parentals) were photoirradiated. These parentals were mated with untreated controls and resulting 1st generation (F1) progeny were inbred. Comparisons of fecundity and fertility were made between parentals and resulting F1 progeny. Interbred F1 adults survived significantly longer than parentals (P > 0.05). Parental females laid fewer eggs than F1 females, and parental eggs hatched at a significantly lower rate than eggs of F1 females (P < 0.01). Neither PII nor any effects of PII seem to be transferred from parent to offspring. Reduced fecundity and fertility may be due to reduced energy levels caused by exposure to PII. Experimental adults fed PII exhibited significantly reduced survivorship when compared to untreated controls (P < 0.001). Fertility did not differ when compared to controls, but experimental adult fecundity was significantly less than control fecundity for the constant photoirradiation group.