Bold Science. African-Led. Impact-Driven
Overview
The project aims to address critical knowledge gaps concerning the sugar-feeding behaviors of African malaria vectors and how these behaviors may affect the effectiveness of Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSBs). The research will be structured around three distinct work packages.
Project Description
The project aims to address critical knowledge gaps concerning the sugar-feeding behaviors of African malaria vectors and how these behaviors may affect the effectiveness of Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSBs). The research will be structured around three distinct work packages.Overview
AIRID, in partnership with CREC-LSHTM and global collaborators, is conducting a major research initiative to investigate the biological factors that influence the success of Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSBs)—a novel vector control tool designed to kill mosquitoes seeking sugar meals. While previous trials in Kenya, Mali, and Zambia showed limited impact on malaria incidence, this new project aims to generate critical evidence to determine whether continued investment in ATSBs is justified.
Location
Benin (Cotonou, Zogbodomey, Bassila)
Partners
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), UK.
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kenya.
- Wagman Global Health Consulting, USA.
- Funded by: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Funder
Gates Foundation through the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC)
Principal Investigator
Dr Corine Ngufor
Project Objectives
The study aims to answer three key questions:
- How frequently do malaria mosquitoes feed on ATSBs under laboratory and field conditions?.
- How does environmental vegetation (i.e. natural sugar sources) influence bait station attractiveness and feeding rates?
- How far can mosquitoes be attracted to bait stations under realistic conditions?
Research Activities
This Project is structured into 3 Work packages :
Work Package 1: Laboratory and Semi-Field Studies
- Laboratory assays to validate sugar bait prototypes using resistant and susceptible mosquito strains in Benin.
- Semi-field experimental hut trials assessing how mosquito age, physiological state, and human host presence affect bait feeding rates.
Work Package 2: Village-Based Trials
-
Conducted in two ecologically distinct areas:
- Zogbodomey (high vegetation)
- Bassila (low vegetation)
- Bait stations placed in households to evaluate feeding rates in natural settings..
- Analysis of mosquito species, Plasmodium infection, insecticide resistance, and plant meal sources.
Work Package 3: ASB Attraction Distance
- Use of sticky traps placed around baited tents to measure how far mosquitoes are attracted to sugar baits.
- Comparison of attraction in high vs. low vegetation areas and with/without a human host.
Impact
This research will fill key biological knowledge gaps around mosquito sugar-feeding behaviour and the field performance of ATSBs. Findings will help determine whether ATSBs should be advanced as a new class of malaria vector control tools in Africa.
