[Effectiveness of Bacillus sphaericus strain 2362 on larvae of Anopheles nuñeztovari]

A study, under laboratory and field conditions, was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness, persistence in the time and some factors that can affect the larvicidal action of the Griselef formulation of the sporogenous bacteria Bacillus sphaericus strain 2362, on the larvae population of the Anopheles nuñeztovari Gabaldón, the main malaria vector in western Venezuela. The degree of susceptibility of this species to the Bacillus sphaericus was determined to be at a LD50 in 0.07 ppm a LD95 in 0.69 ppm. The pH ranges of the water, as tested in the laboratory, showed that values between 7.0 and 9.0 did not affect the action of the larvicide, producing more than 95% of mortality after 72 hours of observation. Under controlled field conditions, the high susceptibility of the An. nuñeztovari larvae to the larvicidal action of the product was demonstrated. With a dose of 5 ml/m2, a 100% mortality was obtained after 72 hours of exposure. In the field, it was determined that after 12 hours, solar radiation decreased the effectiveness of the B. sphaericus in 30% and that the presence of vegetation reduced the biolarvicidal effect between 5 and 12%. Under natural field conditions, it was shown that the larvicide was effective, since a 100% larval mortality was obtained in the two treated breeding places. This effect persisted up to 4 months of observation, with more than 85% of larvae reduction, showing that it is capable or remaining in the natural environment.