title: Laboratory tests on the efficacy of VBC60035, a combined larvicidal formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (strain AM65-52) and Bacillus sphaericus (strain 2362) against Aedes albopictus in simulated catch basins.
abstract: Catch basins are a common breeding site for mosquito larvae in urban areas. The arrival in Spain of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has turned catch basins into a challenging public health issue in some areas such as the Baix Llobregat region, where more than 135,000 units are treated per year in a large-scale application program. Although biorational larvicides are used, modern formulations providing longer efficacy periods could lead to manpower savings. Laboratory indoor trials are presented on the formulation VBC60035 (Vectomax FG), which is under registration in Spain. Indoor microcosms simulating real catch basins were treated and recolonized weekly using insectary-reared Ae. albopictus larvae. The trial took place over 2 seasons in the same water at dosages of 10, 50, and 577 kg/ha. At all 3 concentrations, the efficiency was close to 100% for up to 345 days posttreatment with 14.1% mean mortality in the control. Field factors including flushing, bacterial degradation, and toxic effluents in the drainage pools are discussed as limitations of indoor tests.
authors.affiliation: Servei de Control de Mosquits, Consell Comarcal del Baix Llobregat, Parc Torreblanca, 08980 Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eritja
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes; D000818:Animals; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D007814:Larva; D009032:Mosquito Control
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; C046134:binB protein, Bacillus sphaericus