Assessment of the Impact of Diflubenzuron on the Inhibition of Adult Emergence in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Hormozgan Province, Iran, 2025

Saeedeh  Ebrahimi; Hassan  Vatandoost; Mohammad Ali  Oshaghi; Kourosh  Azizi; Mahnaz  Khanavi; Seyed Hassan  Moosa-Kazemi

doi:10.18502/jad.v19i3.20897

Saeedeh Ebrahimi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hassan Vatandoost Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Ali Oshaghi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Kourosh Azizi Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Mahnaz Khanavi Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy and Persian Medicine and Pharmacy Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Hassan Moosa-Kazemi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v19i3.20897

Keywords: Aedes aegypti; Invasive mosquito; Stegomyia aegypti; Insect Growth Regulator; Emergence inhibition

Abstract

Background: The presence of Aedes aegypti in Iran and the risk of transmitting viral diseases, such as dengue and Zika, underscore the importance of evaluating effective vector control methods.

Methods: This study investigated the effectiveness of diflubenzuron, an insect growth regulator that inhibits chitin synthesis, in preventing adult emergence of Ae. aegypti larvae from Hormozgan. The concentrations of 0.03, 0.06, 0.12 and 0.24 mg/L of 25% wettable powder formulations of diflubenzuron were used, according to WHO protocols.

Results: Diflubenzuron was highly effective at 0.24 mg/L, achieving 98% emergence inhibition (EI50=0.053 mg/L, EI₉₀=0.146 mg/L). At lower concentrations, e.g., 0.12 mg/L, emergence inhibition decreased to 83%, indicating a clear concentration-dependent reduction in efficacy. Larvae exposed to sublethal doses displayed abnormal movements and reduced responses to stimuli.

Conclusion: This experiment supports diflubenzuron’s potential as an effective larvicide for vector control programs in Iran. However, field trials and resistance monitoring are recommended before widespread implementation.