CDC Bottle Bioassay

The CDC bottle bioassay determines if a particular formulation (combination of the active ingredient in the insecticide and inactive ingredients) is able to kill an insect vector, such as a mosquito, at a specific location at a given time. It can detect resistance to insecticides in mosquitoes and other insects. The technique is simple, rapid, and economical, compared with alternatives. The results can help guide the choice of insecticide used for spraying.

Bottle bioassay kits and insecticide resistance formulations are only available for international programs. If your institution or program would like to order a bottle bioassay kit, which contains bottles, insecticide formulations, manual, and instructional video, please contact CDC to discuss the collaboration at bottleassay@cdc.gov. To order only the bottle bioassay insecticide resistance formulation, please send your request to bottleassay@cdc.gov. The formulations are free.

A practical laboratory manual that describes how to perform and interpret the CDC bottle bioassay is now available online in three languages:

• English

•   Insert 1 - Revised Box 5: Interpretation of Data for Resistance Management Purposes
•   Insert 2 - Enhanced Surveillance Protocol for the CDC Intensity Bottle Bioassay

• Spanish
• Portuguese

Below is a companion instructional video.

Download this video [mp4]