Exposure of radiofrequency in relation to the metabolic rate of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedes albopictus (SKUSE) (Diptera: culicidae) / Nik Muhammad Hanif Nik Abdull Halim

Wireless communication between billions of people throughout the world is made possible by the radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF). The radiofrequency (RF) employed as carriers in wireless telecommunications will partially migrate to higher frequencies with the arrival of fifth-generation (5G) networks. Radio, cell phones, and television are examples of telecommunication technologies that were created to satisfy human needs and have been used extensively for decades. Nevertheless, because the invention depends on RF transmission to carry and receive signals, there is now more worry about how exposure to these fields may affect human health, especially the risk of contracting diseases spread by mosquitoes. Hence, this present study was conducted to determine the effect of RF exposures on the metabolic rate of Aedes mosquitoes as the primary vector for dengue fever, especially Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. This is an experimental study involving triplication with laboratory and field strain eggs subjected to RF exposure at three different exposure levels: control (unexposed), 900 MHz, and 18 GHz. The entire life cycle and development were carefully observed within a controlled insectarium setting, from the egg’s aquatic phase until fully adult emergence. Given the importance of temperature in influencing mosquito biology, the relationship between RF exposure and temperature was a key aspect investigated in this study. The results of the study revealed that the exposure of RF at 900 MHz to Ae. aegypti eggs clearly affected them, and obvious abnormalities were seen on the surface and structure of the eggs. Moreover, the adult emergence rate of Ae. aegypti was the lowest at 33±2.77% under 900 MHz exposure compared to the other exposures (p=0.03). For Ae. albopictus, the RF exposure at 18 GHz noticeably had a shorter hatching period of 1.5±2.61 days compared to other exposures (p=0.03). In addition, a shorter pupation cessation period (CP2) of 8±1 day (p=0.04) and a lower adult emergence rate of 11.1 ±8.68% (p=0.03) were demonstrated compared to other exposures for Ae. albopictus. Notably, Ae. aegypti had a higher hatching rate of more than 50% and a longer pupation cessation period (CP2) at any RF exposures (p<0.05) compared to Ae. albopictus. Interestingly, a significant relationship between the combined effect of RF exposure and temperature also demonstrated, especially on Ae. Aegypti, regarding hatching period (p=0.02, R2=0.86), larval period (p=0.02, R2=0.85), and pupation period (p=0.04, R2=0.89). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the egg structure, morphology, and development of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus during the aquatic phase until adult emergence can be sensitive to RF exposure and temprature, consequently opening the possibility of altering the population dynamics of these insects.