title: A Large Scale Biorational Approach Using Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis (Strain AM65-52) for Managing Aedes aegypti Populations to Prevent Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika Transmission.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aedes aegypti is a container-inhabiting mosquito and a vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. In 2009 several cases of autochthonous dengue transmission were reported in Key West, Florida, USA prompting a comprehensive response to control A. aegypti. In Key West, larvae of this mosquito develop in containers around human habitations which can be numerous and labor intensive to find and treat. Aerial applications of larvicide covering large areas in a short time can be an efficient and economical method to control A. aegypti. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) is a bacterial larvicide which is highly target specific and appropriate for wide area spraying over urban areas, but to date, there are no studies that evaluate aerial spraying of Bti to control container mosquitoes like A. aegypti.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper examines the effectiveness of aerial larvicide applications using VectoBac® WG, a commercially available Bti formulation, for A. aegypti control in an urban setting in the USA. Droplet characteristics and spray drop deposition were evaluated in Key West, Florida, USA. The mortality of A. aegypti in containers placed under canopy in an urban environment was also evaluated. Efficacy of multiple larvicide applications on adult female A. aegypti population reduction was compared between an untreated control and treatment site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Droplet characteristics showed that small droplets can penetrate through dense canopy to reach small containers. VectoBac WG droplets reached small containers under heavy canopy in sufficient amounts to cause > 55% mortality on all application days and >90% mortality on 3 of 5 application days while controls had <5% mortality. Aerial applications of VectoBac WG caused significant decrease in adult female populations throughout the summer and during the 38th week (last application) the difference in adult female numbers between untreated and treated sites was >50%. Aerial larvicide applications using VectoBac WG can cover wide areas in a short period of time and can be effective in controlling A. aegypti and reducing A. aegypti-borne transmission in urban areas similar to Key West, Florida, USA.
authors.affiliation: Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, College Road, Key West, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pruszynski
authors.affiliation: Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, College Road, Key West, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Lawrence J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Hribar
authors.affiliation: REMSpC Spray Consulting, Welsh Drive, Ayr, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mickle
authors.affiliation: Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, College Road, Key West, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Leal
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis; D065632:Chikungunya Fever / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D003715:Dengue / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D005431:Florida; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000821:virology; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D012328:RNA Viruses; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission