Potential for integrated control of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) using larvicides and guppies

Acute toxicity tests were carried out to determine the effect of three larvicides, spinosad, pirimiphos methyl, and chlorpyrifos, on Culex quinquefasciatus Say, Anopheles gambiae s.s. Giles (Diptera: Culicidae), and guppies, Poecilia reticulata Peters (Pisces: Poeciliidae). Thereafter, larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus were introduced to P. reticulata in containers of different volumes with low concentrations of each larvicide at established predator to prey densities of 1–35; 5–70 and 10–350 (fish to larvae) respectively. The experiment was replicated six times, and the larval consumption was counted after 24 h. Spinosad and pirimiphos methyl were significantly toxic to Cx. quinquefasciatus, the less susceptible mosquito species. Guppy consumption of Culex larvae was highest at a predator to prey density 5–70. Feeding activity of guppies increased in the spinosad treatment at 49 μg L⁻¹ compared to control and the synthetic larvicides. The synthetic larvicides generally reduced consumption of larvae except for the lowest concentration of pirimiphos methyl which increased it at the highest predator to prey density in a 3 L container. The highest percentage of Culex larvae was consumed by fish in the presence of spinosad at 49 μg L⁻¹ and a predator to prey density of 5–70 in 0.5 L plastic containers. Thus, predator to prey density, container size, type and concentration of larvicide are all important factors to be considered in integrated management of mosquito larvae.     

Feeding behavior of Simulium vittatum larvae in response to various suspended materials: implications for control using biological larvicides

Biologically based larvicides used to suppress nuisance populations of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) require that the larvae ingest the larvicide for mortality to occur. Materials present in the habitat that alter larval feeding behavior may reduce the effectiveness of the larvicide. This study was conducted to determine the effects that commonly occurring materials in larval habitats have on Simulium vittatum Zetterstedt feeding behavior. Larvae were exposed to 50 p.p.m. of kaolinite clay and 4 p.p.m. of purified diatom frustules. Larvae were also exposed to 10 000 cells or colonies per ml of viable green algae, Chlorella vulgaris Pratt and Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turp) Bréb, and the diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana Kützing to determine the effects that these materials have on larval feeding behavior. Individual larvae were recorded using a digital camcorder to determine the average number of times the larvae extended and retracted their cephalic fans per min (flick rate) in each medium. Following exposure to the selected material, neon red particles (NRP) (DayGlo) were added to the larval medium for 20 min. A spectrophotometric analysis was conducted to determine the average quantity of NRP consumed by larvae per min in each medium. The flick rate and quantity of NRP consumed by larvae was not significantly affected by clay material or viable Chlorella cells. When Scenedesmus colonies or Cyclotella cells were present in the larval medium, larval flick rate and NRP ingestion was significantly reduced. The presence of diatom frustules in the medium resulted in the most severe reduction in larval flick rate and NRP ingestion. The results suggest that larval flick rate can change depending on environmental conditions, and that suppression programs using biologically based larvicides may benefit from investigating the potential correlation between algal counts and treatment efficacy.     

Effects of temperature and stocking density on intensive culture of Pacific white shrimp in freshwater

In aquaculture, the application of predictive techniques based on statistical-mathematical modeling allows not only to project and study individual growth trajectories, but also to evaluate the probable effect of external factors that would explain their behavior over time. This is the case of this work, which takes the above as a principle to demonstrate the effect of water temperature on the growth of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei cultured in fresh water (0 mg L⁻¹), using densities of 90, 120, 180, 230, 280 and 330 shrimp m⁻². Shrimp were exposed to water temperature between 11.5 °C and 31.6 °C. Temperature effect was determined using a parameterized Gompertz growth model with experimental data from each initial culture density. The best shrimp productivity yield was obtained above 26 °C, and the least efficient was below 22 °C. Densities of 90–180 shrimp m⁻² and 230–330 shrimp m⁻² generated a maximum average size of 12.6 g and 8.8 g in 30 weeks, respectively. Here we present the implications of the effect of water temperature on the intensive culture of white shrimp with zero salinity (0 mg L⁻¹) using these techniques from a predictive analytical approach.     

Temperature and hypoxia on oxidative stress responses in pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus

The aim of this study was to verify the effects of the interaction between different temperatures and levels of dissolved oxygen in the oxidative stress parameters of pacu juveniles. A total of 81 pacu juveniles (61.7 ± 9.1 g) were exposed to three temperatures (18, 23, and 28 °C), acclimated for a period of 30 days, and then submitted to three levels of dissolved oxygen: control or normoxia (7 mg L⁻¹); moderate hypoxia (4 mg L⁻¹); and severe hypoxia (2 mg L⁻¹) for 12 h. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, total antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP), and protein thiol content (PSH) and LPO (lipid peroxidation) [measured by the TBARS] were measured in gill, liver, muscle and brain. The results indicated that the interaction between different temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels caused alterations in the antioxidant system and induced lipid and protein damage in pacu juveniles. In addition, the effects were organ specific. In conclusion, exposure to moderate and severe hypoxia affect oxidative stress parameters and have been shown to be organ-specific in pacu juveniles. The interaction between 23 °C and hypoxia caused greater disturbances in oxidative stress markers, such as PSH in the gills and liver and LPO in the muscle.     

Effective biodegradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene using a novel bacterial strain isolated from TNT-contaminated soil

In this environmental-sample based study, rapid microbial-mediated degradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) contaminated soils is demonstrated by a novel strain, Achromobacter spanius STE 11. Complete removal of 100 mg L⁻¹ TNT is achieved within only 20 h under aerobic conditions by the isolate. In this bio-conversion process, TNT is transformed to 2,4-dinitrotoluene (7 mg L⁻¹), 2,6-dinitrotoluene (3 mg L⁻¹), 4-aminodinitrotoluene (49 mg L⁻¹) and 2-aminodinitrotoluene (16 mg L⁻¹) as the key metabolites. A. spanius STE 11 has the ability to denitrate TNT in aerobic conditions as suggested by the dinitrotoluene and NO₃ productions during the growth period. Elemental analysis results indicate that 24.77 mg L⁻¹ nitrogen from TNT was accumulated in the cell biomass, showing that STE 11 can use TNT as its sole nitrogen source. TNT degradation was observed between pH 4.0–8.0 and 4–43 °C; however, the most efficient degradation was at pH 6.0–7.0 and 30 °C.     

Heat acclimation does not modify autonomic responses to core cooling and the skin thermal comfort zone

Exercise heat acclimation (HA) is known to magnify the sweating response by virtue of a lower threshold as well as increased gain and maximal capacity of sweating. However, HA has been shown to potentiate the shivering response in a cold-air environment. We investigated whether HA would alter heat loss and heat production responses during water immersion. Twelve healthy male participants underwent a 10-day HA protocol comprising daily 90-min controlled-hyperthermia (target rectal temperature, T_re 38.5 °C) exercise sessions. Preceding and following HA, the participants performed a maximal exercise test in thermoneutral conditions (ambient temperature 23 °C, relative humidity 50%) and were, following exercise, immersed in 28 °C water for 60 min. Thermal comfort zone (TCZ) was also assessed with participants regulating the temperature of a water-perfused suit during heating and cooling. Baseline pre-immersion T_re was similar pre- and post-HA (pre: 38.33 ± 0.33 °C vs post: 38.12 ± 0.36 °C, p = 0.092). The T_re cooling rate was identical pre-to post-HA (−0.03 ± 0.01 °C·min⁻¹, p = 0.31), as was the vasomotor response reflected in the forearm-fingertip temperature difference. Shivering thresholds (p = 0.43) and gains (p = 0.61) were not affected by HA. TCZ was established at similar temperatures, with the magnitude in regulated water temperature being 7.6 (16.3) °C pre-HA and 5.1 (24.7) °C post-HA (p = 0.65). The present findings suggest that heat production and heat loss responses during whole body cooling as well as the skin thermal comfort zone remained unaltered by a controlled-hyperthermia HA protocol.     

A new bioprocess for the production of prebiotic lactosucrose by an immobilized β-galactosidase

A new bioprocess for the synthesis of lactosucrose was studied using a covalently immobilized β-galactosidase on macrospheres of chitosan. The effects of temperature and pH on the production of lactosucrose and other oligosaccharides were evaluated. At 30 °C and pH 7.0, the maximum concentration of lactosucrose reached to 79 g L⁻¹. The change of the reaction conditions allowed to modify the qualitative profile of the final products without quantitative change in the total of oligosaccharides produced. At pH 7 and 30 °C, products profile was 79 g L⁻¹ of lactosucrose, 37 g L⁻¹ of galactooligosaccharides and 250 g L⁻¹ of total oligosaccharides, while at pH 5 and 64 °C the concentrations for the same compounds were 40, 62 and 250 g L⁻¹, respectively. The immobilization increased the thermal stability up to 260-fold. Using 300 g L⁻¹ of sucrose and 300 g L⁻¹ of lactose, and 8.5 mg of chitosan mL⁻¹, 30 cycles of reuse were performed and the biocatalyst kept the maximal lactosucrose synthesis. These results fulfill some important aspects for the enzyme immobilization and oligosaccharides synthesis: the simplicity of the protocols, the high operational stability of the enzyme and the possibility of driving the final products.     

Implication of storage conditions on luminescence response from Photobacterium phosphoreum in free and immobilized form

Bioluminescent bacteria in the form of a cell suspension for on-site hazard analysis are not suitable as in vivo luminescence in free cells fluctuates and may lead to erroneous results. Furthermore, the culture broth cannot be stored for long durations to continue sensing analytes as the luminescence ceases over time. Factors that affect luminescence response include growth dynamism, and ambient environmental conditions. The present study investigated the effect of storage conditions such as temperature (25 ± 2°C, room temperature; 4°C; and −20°C) and ambient aqueous environment (M1: sucrose, 1.02 M; M2, bioluminescent media [tryptone, 10 g L⁻¹; NaCl, 28.5 g L⁻¹; MgCl₂.7H₂O, 4.5 g L⁻¹; CaCl₂, 0.5 g L⁻¹; KCl 0.5 g L⁻¹; yeast extract, 1 g L⁻¹; H₂O, 1 L]; M3, bioluminescent media and 95% glycerol, 1:1 ratio) on the luminescence emission from the calcium alginate-immobilized Photobacterium phosphoreum (S_b) against the cells in free suspension for an extended period. The results indicated that both the parameters that were undertaken markedly affected the luminescence. In the study, S_b showed an enhanced luminescence emission than the control up to 18.5-fold and for a prolonged period which can be efficiently utilized for rapid biosensing of hazardous materials.     

Effect of larval rearing temperature on adult female morphology of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) albimanus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Summary

Time to pupation, percent survival to pupation, and percent adult emergence of Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann decreased at higher larval rearing temperature. Mosquitoes reared at 30°C experienced higher mortality during the pupal stage than did mosquitoes reared at 22°C. Analysis of variance revealed that wing length and costal wing spot patterns of adult female A. albimanus were affected by larval rearing temperature. Female A. albimanus reared at 22°C had longer wings, and larger basal pale + prehumeral pale, prehumeral dark, and humeral pale costal wing spots than did female siblings reared at 30°C. Female A. albimanus reared at 30°C had larger subcostal pale spots than did female siblings reared at 22°C. Analyses of 2x2 contingency tables indicated that sex ratio was independent of larval rearing temperature, whereas survival to the adult stage and coalescence of wing spots were not independent of rearing temperature. The need to examine stability of morphological characters under differing environmental conditions is discussed.     

Cadmium and copper toxicity to tench <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tinca</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tinca</Emphasis> (L.) larvae after a short-term exposure

At the onset of swimbladder inflation, Tinca tinca larvae were exposed for 24 h to cadmium or copper at 0.0 (control concentration), 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg dm⁻³ at 22°C. From then larvae were reared at 25°C for 9 days in un-supplemented water. Both metals resulted in a significantly reduced growth, survival, and retarded swimbladder inflation in a dose-response manner. The highest Cd and Cu concentration delayed the onset of exogenous feeding (live artemia nauplii) for 2 or 1 days, respectively, comparing to the control concentration. Our results demonstrate a highly toxic effect of Cd and Cu in the studied period of larval ontogeny, when fish seem especially sensitive. Although, at low concentrations and long exposure period, Cu is considered more toxic to fish than Cd, our study revealed the reverse effect for first-feeding larvae of both metals at high concentrations and short exposure.     

Effects of a neonicotinoid pesticide on thermoregulation of African honey bees (Apis mellifera scutellata)

Thiamethoxam is a widely used neonicotinoid pesticide that, as agonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, has been shown to elicit a variety of sublethal effects in honey bees. However, information concerning neonicotinoid effects on honey bee thermoregulation is lacking. Thermoregulation is an essential ability for the honey bee that guarantees the success of foraging and many in-hive tasks, especially brood rearing. We tested the effects of acute exposure to thiamethoxam (0.2, 1, 2 ng/bee) on the thorax temperatures of foragers exposed to low (22 °C) and high (33 °C) temperature environments. Thiamethoxam significantly altered honey bee thorax temperature at all doses tested; the effects elicited varied depending on the environmental temperature and pesticide dose to which individuals were exposed. When bees were exposed to the high temperature environment, the high dose of thiamethoxam increased their thorax temperature 1–2 h after exposure. When bees were exposed to the low temperature, the higher doses of the neonicotinoid reduced bee thorax temperatures 60–90 min after treatment. In both experiments, the neonicotinoid decreased the temperature of bees the day following the exposure. After a cold shock (5 min at 4 °C), the two higher doses elicited a decrease of the thorax temperature, while the lower dose caused an increase, compared to the control. These alterations in thermoregulation caused by thiamethoxam may affect bee foraging activity and a variety of in-hive tasks, likely leading to negative consequences at the colony level. Our results shed light on sublethal effect of pesticides which our bees have to deal with.     

Optimization of fermentation parameters for the biomass and DHA production of Schizochytrium limacinum OUC88 using response surface methodology

Fermentation parameters for biomass and DHA production of Schizochytrium limacinum OUC88 in a fermenter (working volume 7 L) were optimized using Plackett–Burman and central composite rotatable design. Out of 10 factors studied by Plackett–Burman design, 4 influenced the biomass production significantly. Central composite rotatable design was used to optimize the significant factors and response surface plots were generated. Using these response surface plots and point prediction, optimized values of the factors were determined as follows temperature (°C) 23 °C, aeration rate 1.48 L min⁻¹ L⁻¹, agitation 250 rpm and inoculum cells in mid-exponential phase, the maximum yield of DCW and DHA were 24.1 and 4.7 g L⁻¹, respectively. These predicted values were also verified by validation experiments.     

Light and temperature mediate algal stimulation of heterotrophic activity on decomposing leaf litter

1. Recent evidence suggests that periphytic algae stimulate plant litter heterotrophs (fungi and bacteria) in the presence of light, but few studies have tested whether this stimulation varies across gradients of light, which may covary with temperature.
2. We exposed field-conditioned Typha domingensis litter to fully-crossed, short-term gradients of temperature (15, 20, 25, and 30°C) and light (0, 25, 53, 123, and 388 µmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹) and measured responses of litter-associated algal, fungal, and bacterial production rates and β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, and phenol oxidase enzyme activities in the laboratory.
3. Increased light stimulated algal production rates, from immeasurable production under darkness to >200 µg algal C g⁻¹ detrital C hr⁻¹ at the highest light level, with the greatest light sensitivity and maximal photosynthetic rates at 25°C. In turn, increased light stimulated fungal production rates, especially at the two highest temperatures and most strongly at 25°C where light stimulated fungal production by a mean of 65 µg C g⁻¹ detrital C hr⁻¹, indicating 2.1-fold stimulation by light. Bacterial production rates also responded to light, indicated by stimulation of a mean of 16 µg C g⁻¹ detrital C hr⁻¹ (1.6-fold) at 15°C, but stimulation was weaker at higher temperatures. Enzyme activities increased strongly with elevated temperature but were not affected by light.
4. Our experimental evidence suggests algae differentially stimulate litter-associated bacteria and fungi in a light-dependent manner that further depends on temperature. These findings advance understanding of the onset of algal stimulation of heterotrophy, including algal-induced priming effects during litter decomposition, in response to common covarying environmental gradients subject to global change.

     

啶虫脒对淡色库蚊幼虫的致死和亚致死影响

啶虫脒是日本曹达公司新开发的一种氯代烟碱类杀虫剂,为了探讨其用于蚊虫幼虫控制的可能性,我们在室内用浸渍法测定了啶虫脒对淡色库蚊幼虫的致死和亚致死影响,结果表明,淡色库蚊幼虫对啶虫脒较敏感,幼虫的死亡高峰出现在处理后第3天,幼虫的四个龄期中,一龄最敏感,四龄耐药力最强,二在处理后72h时的LC50值分别为0.020mg/L/升和0.296mg/L。幼虫在亚致死浓度的啶虫脒溶液作用下,发育期延长,蛹重下降。说明啶虫脒可用于蚊虫幼虫的控制。     

LETHAL AND SUBLETHAL EFFECTS OF ACETAMIPRID ON THE LARVAE OF CULEX PIPIENS PALLENS

Abstract Acetamiprid is a novel neonicotinoid insecticide invented by Nippon Soda Co., Ltd. To explore the possibility of acetamiprid as larvicide of mosquitoes, lethal and sublethal effects of acetamiprid on the larvae of Culex pipiens pallens were studied by immersion method in the laboratory. The results indicated that the larvae of Culex pipiens pallens were sensitive to acetamiprid. The mortality of larvae peaked at 72 h after treatment. The 1 st instar larvae was the most susceptible to acetamiprid, and the 4th instar larvae was the most tolerant to acetamiprid, the LC, values were 0. 020 mg/L and 0. 296 mg/L at 72 h after treatment, respectively. Sublethal concentrations of acetamiprid could delay the development of larvae and decrease the weight of pupa. We suggested that acetarniprid is a safe and effective substitute for the using larvicides of mosquitoes.     

Mathematical modeling of the ethanol fermentation of cashew apple juice by a flocculent yeast: the effect of initial substrate concentration and temperature

In this work, the effect of initial sugar concentration and temperature on the production of ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae CCA008, a flocculent yeast, using cashew apple juice in a 1L-bioreactor was studied. The experimental results were used to develop a kinetic model relating biomass, ethanol production and total reducing sugar consumption. Monod, Andrews, Levenspiel and Ghose and Tyagi models were investigated to represent the specific growth rate without inhibition, with inhibition by substrate and with inhibition by product, respectively. Model validation was performed using a new set of experimental data obtained at 34 °C and using 100 g L⁻¹ of initial substrate concentration. The model proposed by Ghose and Tyagi was able to accurately describe the dynamics of ethanol production by S. cerevisiae CCA008 growing on cashew apple juice, containing an initial reducing sugar concentration ranging from 70 to 170 g L⁻¹ and temperature, from 26 to 42 °C. The model optimization was also accomplished based on the following parameters: percentage volume of ethanol per volume of solution (%V _ethanol/V _solution), efficiency and reaction productivity. The optimal operational conditions were determined using response surface graphs constructed with simulated data, reaching an efficiency and a productivity of 93.5% and 5.45 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively.

     

Effects of the probiotic,Bacillus subtilis E20, on the survival,development, stress tolerance,and immune status of white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei larvae

In this study, the probiotic, Bacillus subtilis E20, isolated from the human health food, natto, was used for white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, larvae breeding to improve the larval survival rate and development by adding probiotic to the rearing water at (control), 10⁸, and 10⁹ cfu L^?1 salt water once every 3 days during the 14 days of breeding experiment. Thereafter, stress tolerance and immune status of postlarvae were evaluated. Shrimp larval development was significantly accelerated after adding the probiotic to the larval rearing water at a level of 10⁹ cfu L^?1. The survival rate of larvae was significantly higher in the treatment with 10⁹ cfu L^?1 compared to the control and the treatment with 10⁸ cfu L^?1 after all larvae had metamorphosed to postlarvae. Adding the probiotic to the shrimp larvae rearing water produced a weak inhibition of bacterial growth by an analysis of the total bacterial count and presumptive Vibrio count. For stress tests, no postlarvae died when they were reared in water in which the temperature was decreased from 30 to 2 °C at a rate of 0.1 °C min^?1. Postlarvae had significantly lower cumulate mortality in the treatments with 10⁸ and 10⁹ cfu L^?1 compared to the control when they were suddenly exposed to fresh water and 60‰ salt water. A significant decrease in the cumulative mortality of postlarvae treated with the probiotic at a level of 10⁹ cfu L^?1 was recorded after the sudden transfer to 300 mg L^?1 nitrite-N compared to the control and treatment with 10⁸ cfu L^?1. The analysis of immune-related gene expressions showed that the gene expression of prophenoloxidase I, prophenoloxidase II, and lysozyme of larvae were significantly increased after being reared in probiotic-containing water at the levels of 10⁸ and 10⁹ cfu L^?1. However, no significant difference in serine proteinase or glutathione peroxidase gene expressions was recorded in this study. It is therefore suggested that 10⁹ cfu L^?1 of probiotic, B. subtilis E20 adding to rearing water for shrimp larva breeding.     

Estuarine sediment hydrocarbon-degrading microbial communities demonstrate resilience to nanosilver

Little is currently known about the potential impact of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on estuarine microbial communities. The Colne estuary, UK, is susceptible to oil pollution through boat traffic, and there is the potential for AgNP exposure via effluent discharged from a sewage treatment works located in close proximity. This study examined the effects of uncapped AgNPs (uAgNPs), capped AgNPs (cAgNPs) and dissolved Ag₂SO₄, on hydrocarbon-degrading microbial communities in estuarine sediments. The uAgNPs, cAgNPs and Ag₂SO₄ (up to 50 mg L⁻¹) had no significant impact on hydrocarbon biodegradation (80–92% hydrocarbons were biodegraded by day 7 in all samples). Although total and active cell counts in oil-amended sediments were unaffected by silver exposure; total cell counts in non-oiled sediments decreased from 1.66 to 0.84 × 10⁷ g⁻¹ dry weight sediment (dws) with 50 mg L⁻¹ cAgNPs and from 1.66 to 0.66 × 10⁷ g⁻¹ dws with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ Ag₂SO₄ by day 14. All silver-exposed sediments also underwent significant shifts in bacterial community structure, and one DGGE band corresponding to a member of Bacteroidetes was more prominent in non-oiled microcosms exposed to 50 mg L⁻¹ Ag₂SO₄ compared to non-silver controls. In conclusion, AgNPs do not appear to affect microbial hydrocarbon-degradation but do impact on bacterial community diversity, which may have potential implications for other important microbial-mediated processes in estuaries.     

High stocking density during larviculture and effect of size and diet on production of juvenile Lophiosilurus alexandri Steindachner, 1876 (Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae)

Different stocking densities were investigated in larviculture and feeding of Lophiosilurus alexandri, as well as analyses of the effects on juveniles of two size‐classes and two different commercial formulated diets. The first experiment was two‐phased: (a) larvae stocked at densities of 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 larvae L⁻¹ fed with Artemia nauplii and reared for 15 days; (b) in phase 2, densities of 5, 10, 15, 30, and 40 juveniles L⁻¹ were evaluated during feed training (20 days). Mean water temperature in both phases was 28°C. In the first phase of experiment 1, the different stocking densities did not affect fish growth or survival. In phase 2, growth was similar in all densities; however, survival was lower at higher densities. The increased density provided a rise in biomass and number of individuals produced in both phases. In the second experiment, two size‐classes of feed‐trained juveniles (30.22 ± 1.84 and 34.66 ± 2.41 mm) were given pellets of two different diameters (1.2 and 2.6 mm) for 20 days. The largest juveniles fed the 1.2 mm inert diet had higher final weights and lengths. Larviculture and feed training of L. alexandri can thus be performed successfully at high stocking densities of 300 larvae L⁻¹ during the first 15 days of feeding, and at densities of up to 40 juveniles L⁻¹ during the 20 days of feed training, respectively.     

Susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes to microbial larvicides in diverse ecological settings in western Kenya

The microbial larvicides Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs) (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) are well known for their efficacy and safety in mosquito control. In order to assess their potential value in future mosquito control strategies in western Kenya, the current study tested the susceptibility of five populations of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), collected from five diverse ecological sites in this area, to Bti and Bs under laboratory conditions. In each population, bioassays were conducted with eight concentrations of larvicide (Bti/Bs) in four replicates and were repeated on three separate days. Larval mortality was recorded at 24 h or 48 h after the application of larvicide and subjected to probit analysis. A total of 2400 An. gambiae complex larvae from each population were tested for their susceptibility to Bti and Bs. The mean (± standard error of the mean, SEM) lethal concentration values of Bti required to achieve 50% and 95% larval mortality (LC₅₀ and LC₉₅) across the five populations were 0.062 (± 0.005) mg/L and 0.797 (± 0.087) mg/L, respectively. Corresponding mean (± SEM) values for Bs were 0.058 (± 0.005) mg/L and 0.451 (± 0.053) mg/L, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that the five populations of An. gambiae complex mosquitoes tested were fully susceptible to Bti and Bs, and there was no significant variation in susceptibility among the tested populations.