Comparison of electrostatic versus nonelectrostatic ULV sprays of Aqua Reslin against Anopheles quadrimaculatus adults.
An electrostatic truck-mounted spray system (Spectrum, Houston, TX) and a nonelectrostatic spray system (Micro-Gen G-4, San Antonio, TX) were tested to determine the feasibility of electrostatically charging Aqua Reslin, a water-based permethrin insecticide, and ascertain whether an electrostatic charge would increase the efficiency of Aqua Reslin against Anopheles quadrimaculatus adults. Parameters tested for both machines included mean mass median diameter (MMD) of droplets, number of drops per cm2, and posttreatment percent mortality at 1, 12, and 24 h. Results indicated that the electrostatically charged droplets produced greater mortality at each distance and hour posttreatment. Correlation coefficients and linear equations were calculated for distance-mortality, MMD-mortality, drops per cm2-mortality, distance-drops per cm2, distance-MMD, and MMD-drops per cm2. Results indicated that the electrostatic drops demonstrated strong correlations between each paired variable, whereas the nonelectrostatic drops showed poor correlation between drops per cm2-mortality, distance-drops per cm2, and MMD-drops per cm2. However, from this trial, these differences cannot be attributed purely to the electrostatic charge because significant differences in droplet size can affect spray performance.
Ham
C M
CM
Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701, USA.
Brown
J R
JR
Musser
R O
RO
Rutledge
C R
CR
Meisch
M V
MV
D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles; D007306:Insecticides; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D026023:Permethrin; D011722:Pyrethrins; D055672:Static Electricity
D007306:Insecticides; D011722:Pyrethrins; D026023:Permethrin