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An evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis ( AM65 ‐52) treatment for the control of Aedes aegypti using vehicle‐mounted WALS ® application in a densely populated urban area of Puerto Rico
Author(s) -
Harris Angela F,
Sanchez Prats Jose,
Nazario Maldonado Nicole,
Piovanetti Fiol Cesar,
García Pérez Marla,
RamírezVera Patricia,
MirandaBermúdez Julieanne,
Ortiz Marianyoly,
DeChant Peter
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.6227
Subject(s) - aedes aegypti , larvicide , bacillus thuringiensis , mosquito control , bioassay , population , toxicology , vector (molecular biology) , dengue fever , veterinary medicine , biology , larva , ecology , bacteria , medicine , malaria , environmental health , immunology , biochemistry , genetics , gene , recombinant dna
BACKGROUND With a shortage of effective options for control of Aedes aegypti in Puerto Rico due to widespread resistance to conventional mosquito adulticides, an alternative approach was investigated to reduce vector populations. In two areas (totaling 144 ha) of the municipality of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis ( Bti ) AM65‐52 WDG was applied at a rate of 500 g/ha using vehicle‐mounted aqueous wide‐area larvicide spray applications weekly for 4 weeks and then every other week for a further 16 weeks. Bioassay jars were placed in the field to monitor for deposition of Bti droplets in open spaces, and under vegetation and building coverage. Autocidal gravid ovitraps were placed throughout the field site to monitor the population of adult female Ae. aegypti in both treatment and control sites. RESULTS Larvicide spray was successfully deposited into jars in an array of open and covered locations, as confirmed by larval bioassays. After the fourth weekly spraying, differences in autocidal gravid ovitrap densities were observed between treatment and control sites resulting in 62% ( P = 0.0001) and 28% ( P < 0.0001) reductions in adult female Ae. aegypti numbers. CONCLUSION Repeated wide‐area larvicide spray application of Bti AM65‐52 WDG to residential areas in Puerto Rico effectively suppressed dengue vector populations. The success of this trial has led to expansion of the WALS® program to a larger area of Bayamón and other municipalities in Puerto Rico. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry