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Assessing neighbourhood-scale BTI spray applications and laboratory-based mortality testing on Aedes aegypti larval development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 January 2025

Gabriel de Carvalho Open the ORCID record for Gabriel de Carvalho [Opens in a new window] ,
Gilberto Dinis Cozzer Open the ORCID record for Gilberto Dinis Cozzer [Opens in a new window] ,
Manuelle Osmarin Pinheiro de Almeida Open the ORCID record for Manuelle Osmarin Pinheiro de Almeida [Opens in a new window] ,
Wiliam Gabriel Borges Open the ORCID record for Wiliam Gabriel Borges [Opens in a new window] ,
Renan de Souza Rezende Open the ORCID record for Renan de Souza Rezende [Opens in a new window] ,
Bruno Spacek Godoy Open the ORCID record for Bruno Spacek Godoy [Opens in a new window] ,
Ivoneide Maria da Silva Open the ORCID record for Ivoneide Maria da Silva [Opens in a new window] ,
José Vladmir Oliveira Open the ORCID record for José Vladmir Oliveira [Opens in a new window] ,
Daniel Albeny-Simões Open the ORCID record for Daniel Albeny-Simões [Opens in a new window]  and
Jacir Dal Magro Open the ORCID record for Jacir Dal Magro [Opens in a new window]
Gabriel de Carvalho
Affiliation:
Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó), Chapecó, SC, Brazil
Gilberto Dinis Cozzer
Affiliation:
Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó), Chapecó, SC, Brazil
Manuelle Osmarin Pinheiro de Almeida
Affiliation:
Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó), Chapecó, SC, Brazil
Wiliam Gabriel Borges
Affiliation:
Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó), Chapecó, SC, Brazil
Renan de Souza Rezende
Affiliation:
Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó), Chapecó, SC, Brazil
Bruno Spacek Godoy
Affiliation:
Instituto Amazônico de Agriculturas Familiares, Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática e Pesca da Amazônia, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, PA, Brazil
Ivoneide Maria da Silva
Affiliation:
Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, PA, Brazil
José Vladmir Oliveira
Affiliation:
Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
Daniel Albeny-Simões*
Affiliation:
Ecology Graduate Program, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, PA, Brazil
Jacir Dal Magro
Affiliation:
Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó), Chapecó, SC, Brazil
*
Corresponding author: Daniel Albeny-Simões; Email: danielalbeny@gmail.com
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Abstract

Mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti, pose significant public health risks by transmitting diseases like dengue, zika and chikungunya. Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (BTI) is a crucial larvicide targeting mosquitoes while sparing other organisms and the environment. This study evaluated the effects of sublethal BTI doses on Ae. aegypti larvae regarding mortality, development, adult emergence and size, using a wide-area spray application in an urban neighbourhood. Laboratory experiments with four BTI concentrations (0, 0.008, 0.02 and 0.04 ppm) assessed compensatory and over compensatory responses. The spray achieved over 90% larval mortality within 48 h, but accumulating sublethal doses could trigger compensatory and over compensatory effects, enhancing the fitness of survivors. A dose–response relationship was evident, with higher BTI concentrations leading to increased mortality, reduced longevity and fewer pupae. BTI exposure also skewed the sex ratio towards males and altered adult sizes, potentially affecting population dynamics and vectorial capacity. These findings highlight the effectiveness of BTI in Ae. aegypti control and the importance of understanding compensation, overcompensation and density-dependent effects. While wide-area BTI applications can reach inaccessible breeding sites and offer potent mosquito control, careful consideration of ecological and evolutionary consequences is crucial.

Keywords

biological controlpopulation controlvector controlwide area application
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , First View , pp. 1 - 10
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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