- Swiss testing laboratory
WHO Cone Test for Mosquito Repellent and Insecticide Evaluation
Hassle-free testing experience
Need to get a product tested? No worries! To and fro logistics are on us; we collect your products, test them and, deliver them back to you.
Summary
The WHO Cone Test assesses the bio-efficacy of insecticide-treated materials through a standardized laboratory assay that measures mosquito knockdown and mortality after controlled exposure. MIS performs WHO Cone testing in line with WHO guidelines, generating consistent, well-documented data to support regulatory evaluation, quality monitoring, and performance claims for vector control products.
Related tests for you
Standard technique for testing the efficacy of mosquito repellents
Evaluate the efficacy of repellent formulations
Evaluating the efficacy of insecticide-treated materials
Determine the behavioral responses of mosquitoes toward mosquito repellents
Quick understanding of the test
WHO Cone Test
To evaluate the efficacy of residual insecticides or repellents applied on treated surfaces against mosquito vectors.
Applicable to insecticide products like impregnated textiles, sprays, netting materials and more.
Mandatory test strains
- Anopheles
- Aedes
- Culex
- WHO cones are affixed to treated surfaces.
- A known number of female mosquitoes are introduced into the cone for a fixed exposure time.
- Knock-down is observed at 60 minutes (KD60).
- Mosquitoes are then held for 24 hours in controlled conditions for an extended exposure period.
- Following the exposure period, mortality is assessed.
- Suitable for testing multiple product formulations
- Provides reliable results expressed as knock-down and mortality rates.
Turnaround Time
The test typically takes 2-4 weeks.
The efficacy of the insecticide treated product is assessed by evaluating the knockdown effect at 60 minutes and mortality at 24 hours.
Do you have a product that needs testing?
What Is the WHO Cone Test?
The WHO Cone Test, developed by the World Health Organization, is performed to determine residual effectiveness of insecticides applied to treated surfaces and materials.
The assay is designed to assess the performance of surface-applied insecticides against various mosquito strains.
The WHO Cone Test is a crucial test procedure for manufacturers, researchers, and public health authorities. It provides a reliable and standardized method to assess the insecticidal potency and residual efficacy of treated materials, delivering results that can be confidently relied upon.
Products and Materials Tested Using WHO Cone Test
This test is applicable for different types of insecticide products, including but not limited to
- impregnated textiles,
- sprays,
- surface coatings
- netting materials etc.
Test Conditions and Requirements
- Temperature: The testing environment must remain within 27°C ± 2°C.
- Humidity: Relative humidity should be maintained at 80% ± 20%.
- Light: Tests are conducted under subdued lighting to mimic natural settings and minimize mosquito stress.
WHO Cone Test Methodology
- Cone bioassay is conducted by using standard WHO cones and exposure procedures.
- The cones are securely attached to the treated surfaces.
- A known number of female mosquitoes are introduced into each cone for a 3-minute exposure period using an aspirator.
- After completion of the exposure period, the knock-down rate at 60 minutes (KD60) is assessed.
- Mosquitoes are then transferred to paper cups and kept in the insectary under controlled conditions maintained at 25±2˚C, 80±5% RH with 10% sucrose solution.
- After the exposure period, mortality rates (at 24 hours) are observed to assess any delayed mortality.
Test Endpoints: Knockdown (KD60) and Mortality(24h)
- Knock down at 60 minutes: Mosquitoes which can stand upright and fly in a coordinated manner are recorded as alive. Mosquitoes that are moribund and dead are considered knocked down.
- Mortality at 24 hrs: Moribund and dead mosquitoes are recorded as dead at 24 hours.
WHO Cone test vs Other tests
Parameter | WHO Cone Test | Room Test | Arm-in-Cage Test |
Purpose | Assesses residual insecticidal efficacy of treated surfaces | Evaluates mosquito repellency / knockdown / mortality in an enclosed room | Measures mosquito (bite inhibition / repellency) on human skin |
Mandatory insects | Anopheles, Aedes, or Culex mosquitoes (as per protocol) | Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi (depending on claim) | Anopheles, Aedes, or Culex mosquitoes |
Scope of products | Wall paints, treated nets, sprays, residual surface treatments | Coils, vaporizers, mats, aerosols, spatial repellents, electric devices | Topical repellents (lotions, creams, sprays, gels) |
Result Interpretation | Knockdown (KD60) and Mortality rates (M24) are interpreted | With volunteers – Complete Protection Time (CPT) is calculated Without volunteers – Knockdown (KD60) and Mortality rates (M24) are interpreted | Results are interpreted using Complete Protection Time (CPT) |
Limitations of WHO cone test
1. The WHO Cone Test might not be very reliable while evaluating insecticides with strong excito-repellent properties (like permethrin). This is because mosquitoes that are exposed to these excito-repellent substances may detect the repellent effect and attempt to escape. This results in an increased flight activity within the cone and reduced contact time with the treated article, leading to an underestimation of the product’s actual efficacy.
2. WHO recommends a three-minute exposure time for testing the effectiveness of insecticide-treated bed nets. However, this time period isn’t sufficient for evaluating insecticide-treated clothing, which uses different chemicals and concentrations. These textiles typically require longer exposure times to accurately assess their ability to repel or kill mosquitoes.
Importance of WHO Cone Test in Vector Control
The WHO Cone Test is critically important for evaluating the effectiveness of surface-applied insecticides, especially in vector control programs. It provides standardized, reproducible data on how well-treated materials such as bednets, textiles, or sprays can knock down and kill mosquitoes.
This data helps researchers, manufacturers, and public health authorities assess product efficacy, ensure regulatory compliance, and make informed decisions in combating mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. By simulating real-world exposure conditions, the test plays a vital role in developing and validating products aimed at protecting public health.
Why Choose Our Lab for WHO Cone Testing?
At MIS, we conduct WHO Cone Testing following WHO guidelines and Swiss quality standards. We provide customized testing to assess insecticidal and residual efficacy against critical mosquitos strains to deliver standardized, reliable data to support regulatory compliance and product efficacy claims.
In addition, we conduct repellent testing and perform toxicological studies of products intended for vector-borne disease control, household protection, industrial purposes, and animal use.
Our facility also conducts a wide range of specialized tests, such as the Arm-in-Cage Test, Room Test, Tunnel Test, Olfactometer Test, Bed Bug Product Testing, and more. We also provide customised testing solutions to suit your product needs.
Get a quote on WHO Cone test
To get a quote for the WHO Cone Test or want to learn more about our comprehensive range of services, reach out to our experts here.
Frequently Asked Questions
DR. Martinoz Scholtz
KD60 is the percentage of mosquitoes incapacitated (can’t fly or stand) within 60 minutes of exposure. While M24 is the percentage of mosquitoes that die within 24 hours after exposure.
The test is conducted using the following species: Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex.
5 mosquitoes per cone are specified so that mosquito density doesn’t artificially inflate mortality outcomes.
In WHO cone bioassays, control mortality refers to the percentage of mosquitoes that die in the untreated control group.
- Control mortality should not exceed 10% at 24 hours post-exposure. If it does, the test is considered invalid and must be repeated.
- For extended holding times beyond 24 hours (if used), control mortality must not exceed 20%.
Yes. The WHO Cone Test can assess wash resistance and artificial ageing of insecticide-treated nets by measuring how well the material retains insecticidal activity after washing or over time.
The WHO Cone Test evaluates the bio-efficacy of insecticide-treated materials by exposing mosquitoes to treated surfaces using plastic cones attached to the material and measuring knockdown and mortality. In contrast, the WHO Tube Test assesses mosquito susceptibility to insecticides using a tube apparatus lined with insecticide-impregnated papers, focusing on the mosquito’s response rather than the treated product’s performance.
Failure (low KD60 and/or low M24 values) indicates that the treated material does not achieve sufficient knock-down or lethal effects under controlled laboratory exposure conditions.
Temperature can significantly influence mortality outcomes in cone assays: higher exposure temperatures often increase mortality, while lower temperatures can reduce measured efficacy.
The primary focus of the cone test is on knock-down (KD60) and mortality (M24); it is not designed to systematically measure complex behavioural responses such as host-seeking or repellency.
WHO Cone Test evaluates mosquito knockdown and mortality rates of product under controlled laboratory conditions. It provides a measure of bioefficacy but does not replicate real-world environmental factors. Field or semi-field trials are needed to assess real world product performance.
The test typically requires 24 hours, including a 30-minute exposure period and 24-hour mortality assessment.
It is standardized, cost-effective, reliable, and adaptable for assessing insecticide efficacy.
Meet the best of the blend of
R&D, Efficacy Testing,
Innovation and Passionate
Experts at MIS.
