Analysis of Bacillus sphaericus in controlling mosquito populations in urban catch basins.* West Nile causes a number of symptoms, including encephalitis encephalitis (ĕnsĕf'əlī`təs), general term used to describe a diffuse inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, usually of viral origin, often transmitted by mosquitoes, in contrast to a bacterial infection of the meninges , an inflammation of the brain. * It is most commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and Eastern Europe. * The virus was confirmed present for the first time in North America in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. in 1999. * Only a few species of mosquito have been found to carry West Nile virus West Nile virus, microorganism and the infection resulting from it, which typically produces no symptoms or a flulike condition. The virus is a flavivirus and is related to a number of viruses that cause encephalitis. , primarily the Culex Culex /Cu·lex/ (ku´leks) a genus of mosquitoes found throughout the world, many species of which are vectors of disease-producing organisms. Cu·lex n. pipiens species. * Mosquitoes serve only as a vector; the main hosts are birds, especially corvids and raptors. * The virus is spread when female mosquitoes feed on infected birds, then bite humans and animals. * Mosquitoes also can transmit West Nile virus to their eggs. * When the eggs hatch, the mosquito larvae Larvae, in Roman religion Larvae: see lemures. develop in water. * Larval larval 1. pertaining to larvae. 2. larvate. larval migrans see cutaneous and visceral larva migrans. development consists of four stages, known as instars. * Mature larvae then metamorphose to the pupal pu·pa n. pl. pu·pae or pu·pas The nonfeeding stage between the larva and adult in the metamorphosis of holometabolous insects, during which the larva typically undergoes complete transformation within a protective cocoon or stage. * Pupae usually transform within a few days into adult mosquitoes. * Three main control measures are used to eliminate mosquitoes: source reduction, larviciding, and adulticiding. * Source reduction is the most effective and permanent method. * Elimination of some breeding grounds may, however, be too costly or harmful to the environment. * Adulticiding is the least efficient method of mosquito control because it is not target specific and may have a negative impact on other organisms. * Larviciding is target specific and less disruptive to the surrounding habitat. * The pilot study reported here was conducted in a city in southeastern Pennsylvania where there are 70,000 catch basins. * Urban catch basins are thought to be prime breeding sites for mosquitoes. * The purpose of the study was 1. to determine whether catch basins are breeding sites for mosquitoes and 2. to test the effectiveness of a larvicide lar·vi·cide n. An agent that kills insect larvae. lar  vi·cid al adj. that uses a bacteria,
Bacillus sphaericus.
* The study determined that catch basins are ideal locations for mosquitoes, especially Culex pipiens. * It also found that B. sphaericus in the form of water-soluble pouches effectively kills mosquito larvae in urban catch basins for a period of at least two weeks. * Bacillus sphaericus attacks mosquito larvae from the first to third instars, damaging the gut of the larvae. This department, Practical Stuff! originated from you, our readers. Many of you have expressed to us that one of the main reasons you read the Journal of Environmental Health is to glean practical and useful information for your everyday work-related activities. In response to your feedback, we dedicate this section to you with salient points to remember about two to three articles in each issue. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion