title: Area-wide ground applications of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis for the control of Aedes albopictus in residential neighborhoods: from optimization to operation.
abstract: The increasing range of Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, in the USA and the threat of chikungunya and dengue outbreaks vectored by this species have necessitated novel approaches to control this peridomestic mosquito. Conventional methods such as adulticiding provide temporary relief, but fail to manage this pest on a sustained basis. We explored the use of cold aerosol foggers and misting machines for area-wide applications of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (VectoBac WDG) as a larvicide targeting Aedes albopictus. During 2010-2013 we performed initially open field trials and then 19 operational area-wide applications in urban and suburban residential areas in northeastern USA to test three truck-mounted sprayers at two application rates. Area-wide applications of WDG in open field conditions at 400 and 800 g/ha killed on average 87% of tested larvae. Once techniques were optimized in residential areas, applications with a Buffalo Turbine Mist Sprayer at a rate of 800 g/ha, the best combination, consistently provided over 90% mortality. Importantly, there was no significant decrease in efficacy with distance from the spray line even in blocks of row homes with trees and bushes in the backyards. Under laboratory conditions Bti deposition in bioassay cups during the operational trials resulted in over 6 weeks of residual control. Our results demonstrate that area-wide truck mounted applications of WDG can effectively suppress Ae. albopictus larvae and should be used in integrated mosquito management approaches to control this nuisance pest and disease vector.
authors.affiliation: Hudson Regional Health Commission, Secaucus, New Jersey, United States of America; Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America.
authors.forename: Gregory M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America; Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ary
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faraji
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America; Mercer County Mosquito Control, West Trenton, New Jersey, United States of America.
authors.forename: Isik
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Unlu
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America; Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Sean P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Healy
authors.affiliation: Navy Entomology Center of Excellence, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farooq
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America.
authors.forename: Randy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaugler
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America.
authors.forename: Dina M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Fonseca
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000502:physiology*; D004199:Disease Vectors; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012306:Risk