An evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (AM65-52) treatment for the control of Aedes aegypti using vehicle-mounted WALS® application in a densely populated urban area of Puerto Rico

BACKGROUND: With a shortage of effective options for control of Aedes aegypti in Puerto Rico due to widespread resistance to conventional mosquito adulticides, an alternative approach was investigated to reduce vector populations. In two areas (totaling 144 ha) of the municipality of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) AM65-52 WDG was applied at a rate of 500 g/ha using vehicle-mounted aqueous wide-area larvicide spray applications weekly for 4 weeks and then every other week for a further 16 weeks. Bioassay jars were placed in the field to monitor for deposition of Bti droplets in open spaces, and under vegetation and building coverage. Autocidal gravid ovitraps were placed throughout the field site to monitor the population of adult female Ae. aegypti in both treatment and control sites. RESULTS: Larvicide spray was successfully deposited into jars in an array of open and covered locations, as confirmed by larval bioassays. After the fourth weekly spraying, differences in autocidal gravid ovitrap densities were observed between treatment and control sites resulting in 62% (P = 0.0001) and 28% (P < 0.0001) reductions in adult female Ae. aegypti numbers. CONCLUSION: Repeated wide-area larvicide spray application of Bti AM65-52 WDG to residential areas in Puerto Rico effectively suppressed dengue vector populations. The success of this trial has led to expansion of the WALS (R) program to a larger area of Bayamon and other municipalities in Puerto Rico. (c) 2020 Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Automated summary

The study in Puerto Rico found that repeated wide-area larvicide spray applications of Bti AM65-52 WDG effectively suppressed the Ae. aegypti population, resulting in a reduction in adult female mosquito numbers. The success of this trial has led to the expansion of the program to other municipalities in Puerto Rico.