Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis as a Control Agent for Adult Anopheles gambiae

• Published in: Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 258 - 261
• Main Authors: Terbot, John W, Nikbakhtzadeh, Mahmood R, Foster, Woodbridge A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 American Mosquito Control Association, Inc 01.09.2015; American Mosquito Control Association
• Subjects: Adult survival; Animals; Anopheles - physiology; Anopheles arabiensis; Anopheles gambiae; Aquatic insects; Bacillus thuringiensis - physiology; Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis; Baits; Diet; Experiments; Female; Glucose; Ingestion; Longevity; Malaria; Male; Mortality; mosquito control; Mosquitoes; Pest Control, Biological - methods; Statistical analysis; Studies; Sucrose; Sucrose - metabolism; Sugar; toxic sugar baits; Water - metabolism; mosquito control; toxic sugar baits; Anopheles gambiae; Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis; Adult survival
• ISSN: 8756-971X; 1943-6270
• DOI: 10.2987/moco-31-03-258-261.1

Unlike the application of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) for the control of larval mosquitoes, studies of its effects on adults, for its possible use in attractive toxic sugar baits, have resulted in conflicting results. Five species have shown a decrease in adult survival due to Bti ingestion, whereas adults of Anopheles arabiensis have not. We sought to determine if ingestion of Bti by adults of Anopheles gambiae, a sibling species of An. arabiensis, increases their mortality. Laboratory-reared adults were provided continuously from emergence with water only, a sucrose solution, or a Bti suspension in sucrose solution. After 3 days, the Bti suspension was replaced with untainted sucrose solution. The mosquitoes with only water were all dead by day 3. The survivorships of those in the sucrose and sucrose-Bti treatments were insignificantly different, both with an LT50 (Lethal Time, time until 50% of individuals died) of 25 days. The results support the conclusion that adult survivorship of An. gambiae–complex members is unaffected by the ingestion of Bti in sugar meals.