Toxicity and persistence of two formulations based on Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis applied to Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae were tested under laborabory conditions. The formulations were: a) water dispersible granules (product VectoBac WDG), and b) aqueous suspension (product VectoBac 12AS). The effects of both products on mosquito larvae were tested immediately after their dilution in pure water (zero time) and in 1-, 2-, 8- and 13-day old solutions. The two products were also tested in mixtures of water and clay at a rate of 0.5 g clay/150 ml water immediately after product dilution, and in one-day old solutions containing 0.1 and 0.05 g of clay in the same amount of water. The product VectoBac WDG was persistent and highly effective against Ae. aegypti larvae in pure water after the longest experimental period of 13 days, and significantly more effective than VectoBac 12AS at equal rates of application. The effectiveness of VectoBac 12AS weakened significantly after 8 and 13 days of treatment, compared to the effects at zero time and in 1- and 2-day old solutions. High clay content in water significantly reduced the larvicidal effectiveness of both products, indicating its possible compromising role during product application in practice.
Biological Control of Mosquito Larvae by Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis
