Evaluation of biological control agents for mosquitoes control in artificial breeding places

Abstract

To evaluate the entomological impact of chlorpyrifos-methyl, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Gambusia affinis on mosquitoes control in artificial breeding places. A Latin square design with 4 replicates was performed in order to evaluate the efficacy of chlorpyrifosmethyl, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Gambusia affinis on larva. The larvicide was applied at the dosage of 100 mg a.h/ha, Bacillus thuringiensis at the recommended dosage and 10 fishes per m2 were applied at 1×1 m2 artificial breeding sites. The larval densities for both anopheline and culicine were counted according to larvae /10 dippers prior and 24 h after application. All three control agents are effective for mosquito density reduction, and the difference between the three agents and the control is significant (P<0.05). There is also significant difference among chlorpyrifos-methyl, Bacillus thuringiensis and Gambusia affinis. Bacillus thuringiensis exhibited more reduction on mosquito larval density than fish and larvicide (P<0.05). Bacillus thuringiensis in comparison with two other agents is the appropriate method for larviciding in the breeding places. Although long term assessing for biological activities as well as monitoring and mapping of resistance is required.