The tarsal contact bioassay was developed in LITE and involves exposing adult mosquitoes to glass dishes coated with specific doses of an active ingredient (AI). The small volume of the test apparatus increases the likelihood of exposure to insecticide through the mosquito tarsi (legs), which is the most realistic route of uptake of insecticides used in bed nets and indoor residual spraying.
This assay uses small quantities of compound and is recommended for testing formulated products and/or if assessing the biological activity.
References:
Lees et al., 2019 Gates Open Res