ETD Collection

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/104


Please note: Digitised content is made available at the best possible quality range, taking into consideration file size and the condition of the original item. These restrictions may sometimes affect the quality of the final published item. For queries regarding content of ETD collection please contact IR specialists by email : IR specialists or Tel : 011 717 4652 / 1954

Follow the link below for important information about Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Library Guide about ETD

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Item
    Fitness assessments of Anopheles arabienesis laboratory colonies from Southern Africa and their suitability for the sterile insect technique
    (2015-04-13) Essop, Leyya
    In order to employ the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), biologically fit mosquitoes able to compete with their wild counterparts, suitable field sites for mass release of sterilized male mosquitoes, and appropriate methods of rearing genetic sex-separation (GSS) mosquito strains are required. The life history traits and biological fitness of four laboratory-reared, southern African Anopheles arabiensis strains were investigated. Despite being colonized at different times, the four strains demonstrated comparable levels of biological fitness. Three sites in the Kruger National Park were assessed as possible SIT field sites. Mosquito collections were conducted at each site during three summer months. Anopheles arabiensis was predominant at Malahlapanga during each collection period, establishing Malahlapanga as the most appropriate site for SIT field trials. A standard larval diet was shown to be appropriate for rearing An. arabiensis GSS. This work formed the laboratory basis for the evaluation of a SIT strategy for South Africa.