Mosquitoes and black flies are a constant threat to health and comfort, yet the modern chemical pesticides used to control them have cre ated serious ecological problems. Populations of resistant mosquitoes and black flies have evolved, beneficial insects and natural predators have been destroyed, and environmental pollution has increased worldwide. Therefore, scientists have energetically sought new, environmentally safe technologies to combat mosquitoes and black flies and the diseases they carry. Among the most effective alternative means of controlling these pests are the highly spe cific microbial agents derived from Bacillus tburingiensis or Bacillus spbaericus. The microbial control of mosquitoes and black flies is a very important, rapidly developing area of science. Entomologists and microbiologists have already achieved spectacular successes using B. tburingiensis and B. spbaericus against these pests. Recent discoveries of new bacterial isolates specific to new hosts and recent genetic improvements in these isolates have created the potential for wide-scale use of these biological control agents. Efficient microbial control of mosquitoes and black flies can now be achieved, but a proper knowledge of factors relating to the safe and effective use of these biological control agents is necessary. The efficacy of B. tburingiensis and B. spbaericus is influenced by the inherent differential tol erance of the target mosquitoes or black flies, by the formulation technology and application of these agents, and by environmental factors, especially sun light and temperature.
Author(s): Huguette de Barjac (ed.), Donald J. Sutherland (ed.)
Edition: 1st
Publisher: Springer
Year: 1991
Language: English
Pages: 349
Tags: Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Animal Anatomy / Morphology / Histology
Front Matter....Pages i-xxi
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Discovery of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis ....Pages 3-9
Characterization and Prospective View of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis ....Pages 10-15
Parasporal Body of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis ....Pages 16-44
Mechanism of Action of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis Parasporal Body....Pages 45-65
Genetics of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis ....Pages 66-77
Cloning of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis Mosquito Toxin Genes....Pages 78-93
Transfer of the Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis Mosquiticidal Toxin Gene into Mosquito Larval Food Sources....Pages 94-109
Potential for Improved Formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis through Standardization and Fermentation Development....Pages 110-133
Activity, Field Efficacy, and Use of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis against Mosquitoes....Pages 134-160
Progress in the Biological Control of Black Flies with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis , with Emphasis on Temperate Climates....Pages 161-186
Use of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis for Onchocerciasis Control in West Africa....Pages 187-201
Mammalian Safety of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis ....Pages 202-217
Front Matter....Pages 219-219
Introduction to the Study of Bacillus sphaericus as a Mosquito Control Agent....Pages 221-227
Classification of Bacillus sphaericus Strains and Comparative Toxicity to Mosquito Larvae....Pages 228-236
The Mosquito Larval Toxin of Bacillus sphaericus ....Pages 237-255
Genetics of Bacillus sphaericus ....Pages 256-271
Local Production of Bacillus sphaericus ....Pages 272-283
Persistence and Formulation of Bacillus sphaericus ....Pages 284-294
Formulations and Persistence of Bacillus sphaericus in Culex quinquefasciatus Larval Sites in Tropical Africa....Pages 295-306
Field Trials of Bacillus sphaericus for Mosquito Control....Pages 307-320
Front Matter....Pages 219-219
Mammalian Safety of Bacillus sphaericus ....Pages 321-331
Front Matter....Pages 333-333
The Future of Bacterial Control of Mosquito and Black Fly Larvae....Pages 335-342
Back Matter....Pages 343-349
