title: Efficacy of VectoLex WDG against Anopheles quadrimaculatus and Psorophora columbiae larvae in Arkansas and Mississippi rice.
abstract: In 1999, an aerial application of VectoLex WDG (water-dispersible granules) at 1.68 and 0.56 kg/ha, applied against sentinel 3rd-stage larvae of Psorophora columbiae installed in 0.42-ha rice plots 48 h after treatment, provided no control at 72 and 96 h after treatment. Less than 10% reduction was obtained at both rates 8 and 9 days after treatment against larvae of Ps. columbiae installed at 7 days after treatment. In a later test, VectoLex WDG manually applied at 5.04 and 1.68 kg/ha to small rice plots containing sentinel 3rd-stage larvae of Ps. columbiae and Anopheles quadrimaculatus obtained 90 and 97% control of Ps. columbiae at both rates, respectively, 24 h after treatment. A 2nd installation of Ps. columbiae at 24 h after treatment resulted in 7% and no control at both rates, respectively, even in the presence of larval carcasses from the 1st installation. VectoLex WDG was not effective against Ps. columbiae after 24 h atter treatment at either rate. Poor control was obtained at both rates against An. quadrimaculatus 24 h and 48 h after treatment for both installations. Two types of commercial rice fields containing native populations of larvae of An. quadrimaculatus were used for field tests in Cleveland, MS. In 1999, VectoLex WDG, aerially applied at 1.68 and 0.56 kg/ha to 0.2-ha plots in a contoured rice field, produced 81 and 85% reductions in early (neonate and 1st- and 2nd-stage) larvae and 94 and 76% reductions in late (3rd- and 4th-stage) larvae 2 days after treatment, respectively. At 2 days after treatment, means for all 4 developmental groupings (early larvae, late larvae, pupae, and combined stages) were significantly higher in untreated plots. Both VectoLex WDG rates did not differ significantly from one another. At 8 days after treatment, untreated plots contained significantly greater mean numbers of early larvae, late larvae, and combined stages, whereas both VectoLex WDG treatments were not significantly different. In 2000, VectoLex WDG applied at 1.68 kg/ha to two 0.40-ha plots in a precision-leveled field yielded 59 and 100% reductions of early and late larvae, respectively, 2 days after treatment. Reduction of late larvae remained 100% at 8 days after treatment. The numbers of late larvae, pupae, and combined stages were significantly greater in the untreated plot 2 days after treatment. At 8 days after treatment, numbers of early larvae and combined stages were significantly higher in the VectoLex WDG plot, whereas numbers of late larvae were significantly higher in the untreated plot. The differences in susceptibility of Ps. columbiae and An. quadrimaculatus to VectoLex WDG could be attributed to species differences in larval feeding behavior, body positioning in the water column, and developmental time. In tests in Arkansas, Ps. columbiae were controlled more quickly, usually within 24 h of exposure, whereas the percent reduction for An. quadrimaculatus in both tests in Cleveland, MS, suggests that control of this species within the region tested required from 48 h up to 8 days of exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dennett
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Meek
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Meisch
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000502:physiology; D001131:Arkansas; D001407:Bacillus; D009033:Culicidae / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva; D008922:Mississippi; D012275:Oryza; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water