[Effect of sublethal concentrations of abate on biological parameters of Aedes aegypti]

The effect of abate (Temephos) applied at the rate of 0.016, 0.020 and 0.025 mg/l on fourth stadium larvae and its effect upon pupae weight, adult weight, ingested blood weight and longevity of Aedes aegypti were investigated. The insecticide was applied on F2 generation larvae that were fed an artificial diet under laboratory conditions, from larvae collected at urban level in Monterrey, N.L., Mexico. In relation to the adult, females were fed with a 10 per cent honey solution and rabbit blood for each gonotrophic cycle, while males were fed with only a honey solution. The effect of abate showed a trend to reduce the pupae weight, adult, weight and ingested blood, and to increase longevity too. Although there was not a difference for these variables in the females emerged from larvae exposed to the insecticide, the effects were significant in the males. In this sex, the weight of pupae and adult decreased by 31 and 33 per cent respectively, and longevity increased from 26 to 31 days. Possible advantages and disadvantages of these effects are discussed from a control viewpoint.