Greta Santarelli

Dr. Greta Santarelli

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ELElena Lampazzi
Elena Lampazzi
CVchiara virgillito
chiara virgillito
BCBeniamino Beniamino Caputo
Beniamino Beniamino Caputo
GLGiulia Lombardi
Giulia Lombardi
GSGreta Santarelli
Greta Santarelli
MCMaurizio Calvitti
Maurizio Calvitti
The Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) is a species-specific, eco-friendly mosquito control method that relies on releasing Wolbachia-infected males, which induce cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), rendering eggs inviable when mating with wild females. Aiming at optimizing IIT protocols in terms of cost-effectiveness, data on incompatible male dispersal and survival and the distance- and time-related impact of induced sterility are fundamental. This study plans to fill this gap and reports findings from a two-year field trial (2022–2023) at the ENEA-Casaccia Research Center, based on single-spot releases of incompatible Aedes albopictus males (ARwP strain). Male releases were carried out in late September 2022 (~15,000 released males) and the early Ae. albopictus season (at the end of June 2023; ~24,000 released males). Fifty-eight ovitraps were located at a 20–900 m distance from the ARwP release spot and were monitored weekly from May to November to assess egg hatching rates and measure CI effects in relation to both distance and time. Following the 2023 release, samples of adults were collected at increasing distances from the release site and at multiple post-release time points to assess, individually, wild female fertility and ARwP male dispersal and survival using Wolbachia as a genetic marker. Statistical analyses revealed that: (a) the highest reduction in the egg hatching was found within 100 m from the release spot (46.5% and 19.9%, respectively, in 2022 and 2023) but remained significant even at greater distances (29.9% and 7.7% at 300 m, respectively, in 2022 and 2023); (b) accordingly, the highest reduction in the wild female fertility occurred within 100 m from the release spot (47.3%), but similar effects were recognizable up to 600 m; (c) the overflooding ratio of the ARwP males did not significantly differ between 3 and 11 days after the release, with ARwP males remaining active up to 18 days and dispersing as far as 400 m. These results demonstrate the potential of localized, non-inundative IIT trials to furnish clues for the setup of spatially optimized release strategies, especially in scaled-up applications. The study also emphasizes the need for standardized assessment tools and further research regarding environmental and behavioral factors influencing long-term suppression outcomes.