Application Efficacy of Vectobac WDG Against Larval Aedes aegypti Using Thermal Fog Technology.

Abstract

The effectiveness of thermal fog application of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Vectobac® WDG) against larval Aedes aegypti was evaluated in open and forest canopied environments in northeastern Florida, using a handheld IGEBA® TF34 thermal fogger (with water conversion kit). The product was applied at the maximum label rate of 1 kg/ha to linear transects, in each environment, containing empty 0.5-liter cups. After application, late-2nd to early-3rd instars of Ae. aegypti were added to each cup. Complete larval mortality occurred 48 h after treatment, 8 m away from the spray line in the open field while 63.4% larval mortality was achieved at this same distance in the forest canopy at 72 h posttreatment. Operational efficacy was then evaluated in an urban tropical environment in Key West, FL. In this study, empty plastic cups were placed in cryptic areas of a commercial lobster and crab trap yard. The 0.1-ha area was treated with Vectobac WDG at the maximum label rate using the same equipment. Aedes aegypti larval mortality from treated cups was >99% at 24 h posttreatment, whereas complete mortality was achieved at 48 h after application.