Using the Bio-Insecticide Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis in Mosquito Control

Impact across ecosystem boundaries – Does Bti application change quality and composition of the diet of riparian spiders?

“…israelensis (Bti) directly targets parts of the aquatic subsidy, mainly mosquitoes and blackflies, when deliberately applied to freshwater bodies (Boisvert and Boisvert, 2000). As biological alternative to chemical insecticides with an assumed taxa-specific mode of action against the larvae of several nematocerous dipterans, Bti is considered relatively environmentally friendly and safe for humans explaining its worldwide application (Després et al, 2011). The larvicidal activity is based on δ-endotoxins which are solubilized and activated in the larval midgut after ingestion.…”

Serratia marcescens secretes proteases and chitinases with larvicidal activity against Anopheles dirus

“…Mosquitoes live in constant interactions with microorganisms in their environment and throughout their life cycle (Gendrin and Christophides, 2013;Wang et al, 2011), and in particular, the aquatic stages of the mosquito larvae because they are submerged in water (Dickson et al, 2017). Although microbiota are needed for the healthy development of the mosquito larva (Chouaia et al, 2012;Coon et al, 2014;Dickson et al, 2017;Valzania et al, 2018), certain microbes can be pathogenic to them (Baumann et al, 1991;Laurence et al, 2011). These entomopathogenic microorganisms, such as Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus sphaericus or their by-products, have long been used for mosquito population control (Baumann et al, 1991;Laurence et al, 2011).…”

“…Although microbiota are needed for the healthy development of the mosquito larva (Chouaia et al, 2012;Coon et al, 2014;Dickson et al, 2017;Valzania et al, 2018), certain microbes can be pathogenic to them (Baumann et al, 1991;Laurence et al, 2011). These entomopathogenic microorganisms, such as Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus sphaericus or their by-products, have long been used for mosquito population control (Baumann et al, 1991;Laurence et al, 2011). In addition to these Bacillus species, recent studies have identified entomopathogenic bacteria from the mosquito gut microbiota such as Chromobacterium spp.…”