Evaluation of In2Care mosquito stations for <i>Aedes aegypti</i> (Diptera: Culicidae) management: observed limitations in population reduction in a continuous landscape

The In2Care Mosquito Station has shown promise as a method of reducing populations of multiple mosquito species, including Aedes aegypti (L.), under semifield and/or field conditions. However, successful field studies have been conducted primarily in geographically isolated areas, where reinvasion of mosquitoes from nearby areas is minimal or absent. To assess the efficacy of In2Care station deployment within nonisolated urban environments, we conducted long-term, label-rate In2Care deployment within a residential neighborhood (Pleasant Street Historical District) in the urban center of Gainesville, FL. A total of twenty-two surveillance sites were distributed equally between our designated treatment zone and control zone. Following a 4-wk baseline period, on 4 May 2023, a total of 160 In2Care stations were deployed within the 13.35-acre treatment zone. When compared to the control zone, no impact was observed on female Ae. aegypti or mosquito egg abundance within the treatment zone following the deployment of In2Care stations. Additionally, no shift in the parity rates of females were recorded, indicating that together, the presence of In2Care stations did not affect Ae. aegypti abundance or age structure. These results indicate that In2Care deployment at a density of 12 stations/acre may not be effective for reducing mosquitoes in nonisolated settings, where reinvasion from surrounding areas is likely.