Behavior of resting Aedes aegypti (Culicidae: Diptera) and its relation to ultra-low volume adulticide efficacy in Panama City, Panama

The resting behavior of Aedes aegypti (L.) adults was investigated in 14 districts of Panama City, Panama in relation to ground ultra-low volume (ULV) applications of malathion. Adults primarily rested inside the premises (75.1%) at a distance >6 m from the street (86.4%). Both sexes rested mainly in bedrooms, living rooms, and bathrooms. The small ULV aerosol droplets (2-4 mu m) penetrated all indoor resting sites of Ae. aegypti, but in low amounts. Because of the low amount of insecticide reaching the primary resting sites within the premises, limited control of the Ae. aegypti was obtained. This limited the potential effectiveness of ground vehicle ULV applied insecticide as a dengue epidemic control method.