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Student 10-Minute Presentation Competition

Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology

Student Competition

Student

Grad 10-min Competition: PBT, Insecticides

Resistance assessment of the black salt marsh mosquito throughout the state of Florida

Monday, November 10, 2025
11:18 AM - 11:30 AM Pacific
Location: Oregon Convention Center, F151, OCC
Oral Presentation Student Competition
Resistance to pesticides is a growing concern facing Florida, its populace, and its many Mosquito Control Districts. Therefore, accurate assessment of resistance status has become paramount for the continued effective use of available pesticides. The black salt marsh mosquito, Aedes taeniorhynchus, has been identified as one of the top three priority Aedes species in the state of Florida. This species serves as a bridge vector for Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and is a likely vector of West Nile Virus. Additionally, they are also an aggressive nuisance bitter that feeds on a wide range of vertebrate species. Critically, insecticide resistance in this species is under described in the literature, and we therefore seek to assess susceptibility to three common larvicides: Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), Methoprene, and Spinosad. Aedes taeniorhynchus will be collected from various counties across Florida and their resistance status compared to a susceptible lab population using larval insecticide exposure assays to calculate LD50’s and determine resistance status. Mechanisms of resistance will be examined in key populations, looking at point-site mutations, metabolic resistance, cuticular resistance, and/or the role of the microbiome. Current data highlight the high susceptibility of the laboratory population to all three active ingredients. Our goal is to develop an overview of resistance for this key mosquito species in Florida, in order to facilitate more effective control strategies.