CONTROL OF AEDES-ALBOPICTUS LARVAE USING TIME-RELEASE LARVICIDE FORMULATIONS IN LOUISIANA

The ability of time-release formulations of larvicides and insect grow th regulators (IGRs) to provide long-term control of Aedes albopictus was investigated in the field. Larvicides used in the study were Bacti mos(R) pellets (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, active ingred ient) and Abate(R) pellets (temephos, active ingredient). The IGR Alto sid(R) (methoprene, active ingredient) was used in pellet and sand for mulations. Application rates were higher than label recommendations. I n a preliminary test, clay flower bowls were treated with 2 g of mater ial. Bactimos pellets failed to provide control after 60 days. Abate p ellets and the Altosid formulations provided essentially 100% control for 150 days. After 360 days in the field, the Abate pellets produced 100% larval mortality, and significant levels of control were provided by the Altosid formulations and the Bactimos pellets. In a small-scal e operational trial of this technique, 1 g of Altosid pellets was appl ied to every container that could be located in 2 urban residential ne ighborhoods in Lake Charles, LA. Aedes albopictus biting populations w ere monitored weekly in the treated areas and in an untreated control area. Biting population densities declined significantly in treated ar eas compared with the control area. Results suggested that long-term c ontrol of Ae. albopictus populations can be achieved economically with one application of Altosid pellets or Abate pellets in containers.