Laboratory optimization of attractive targeted sugar baits for sustainable mosquito population reduction

Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSBs) represent a promising, behaviorally informed strategy for
mosquito control by exploiting the innate sugar-feeding behavior of both male and female mosquitoes.
In this study, we optimized an ATSB formulation by systematically evaluating plant-derived volatile
blends, honey varieties, and sugar types to enhance attraction, resting, and feeding in Aedes aegypti.
Laboratory bioassays revealed that specific volatile compounds significantly increased spatial attraction
and feeding rates in a concentration-dependent manner. Female mosquitoes demonstrated greater
sugar consumption plasticity than males, with notable preferences for certain raw and refined sugars.
Additionally, the inclusion of select amino acids in the bait formulation further stimulated sucrose
ingestion and elicited heightened locomotor activity. Toxicity trials using boric acid as the active
ingredient showed that the addition of attractants and amino acids substantially reduced mosquito
survivorship and time to mortality compared to formulations lacking these additives. Ongoing work is
focused on validating the optimized bait system in various device designs under laboratory and field
conditions to assess efficacy and product longevity. These findings advance our understanding of
mosquito sensory ecology and inform the development of next-generation ATSB systems, offering a
sustainable and effective tool for reducing mosquito populations and the risk of mosquito-borne disease
transmission