Combined effects of constant temperature and radio frequency exposure on Aedes mosquito development

Abstract

Overview

🦟 Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya remain major public health concerns, especially in tropical regions such as Malaysia. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the primary vectors transmitting these diseases, and their growth and development are profoundly affected by environmental factors.

🌡️ While the role of temperature in mosquito biology has been well established, the possible influence of radio frequency (RF) exposure has received little attention. This study aimed to investigate how both temperature and RF exposure affect the developmental stages of Aedes mosquitoes, offering new insights for vector control strategies.

Methods

• Factorial experimental design with four temperature settings (20°C, 25°C, 30°C, 35°C)
• Three radio frequency exposure levels: 900 MHz, 18 GHz, and a control group (no RF)
• Monitored mosquito development from hatching through to adult emergence under controlled lab conditions.
• Data analyzed using a quadratic response surface model to examine main and interaction effects.

Findings

• 🌡️ Temperature was the dominant factor influencing developmental durations, with optimal mosquito growth at 30–32°C.
• 📶 RF exposure, particularly at 18 GHz, acted as a secondary modulator, sometimes accelerating development at certain temperatures.
• Ae. aegypti showed higher sensitivity to temperature changes than Ae. albopictus, which was more adaptable and resilient.
• 💡 Synergistic effects were observed at mid-range temperatures (25–30°C), with RF exposure further reducing developmental durations.
• However, extreme RF levels or suboptimal temperatures resulted in prolonged development.

Conclusion

Temperature is the primary driver of mosquito developmental timing, but RF exposure is an important secondary factor that can modulate development under particular conditions. Ae. aegypti was found to be less resilient compared to Ae. albopictus, highlighting differences in species adaptability. The combination of RF exposure and temperature can influence mosquito development and therefore has potential implications for public health and vector control. The study emphasizes the need to examine both environmental and anthropogenic factors, such as RF, when devising management strategies, given RF exposure’s notable impact. Further research should investigate the molecular pathways involved and consider these factors in models predicting disease transmission.