Effect of radio frequency on hatching rate and development period of aedes aegypti (linnaeus) (diptera: culicidae)

The study of effects of radiofrequency (RF) on Aedes aegypti is important to determine the severity and relationship of upcoming technologies with their morphological characteristics. Rapid expansion of technologies namely the evolvement of fourth generation networks (4G) to fifth generation networks (5G) in wireless telecommunication has put vector control and management on alert due to its unknown effect. Until now, there are scarce studies of RF radiation effect on Aedes population whereas significant research is done on other insects such as honeybee and vertebrae like birds. Aedes aegypti which mainly found in the dwelling areas and centralized more on dense city area are chosen to monitor the effect of RF on its hatching rate and development time. The study found that low dose RF (900 MHz) has significantly increased the hatching rate of Aedes aegypti eggs by 17.4% compared to unexposed (Control) eggs. The hatching rate for high dose of RF caused significant increase albeit less than 900 MHz when compared to Control by 7%. The development time of Aedes aegypti was also slightly affected after exposed to RF. The overall development time was shortened to 900 MHz which concluded that exposure to RF is indeed dangerous to human population. However, higher dose of RF showed a slight lay back in adult emergence compared to Control which can be concluded that high dose of RF radiation might impair Aedes aegypti ability for growth.