Investigation of toxic effects of some mosquito larvicides on mosquito larvae predator notonecta sp.

There are over 3500 species of mosquito, most of which are vectors of human and animal diseases. In feeding on blood, some of them transmit extremely harmful diseases, such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever. Over one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Integrated Pest Management Programs that use biological, physical (mechanical) and cultural methods in combination with chemicals to more safely control mosquitoes. The most effective control methods are those targeted against the larval stage of the life cycle. Effective predator organisms e.g. mosquito fishes, dragonflies and backswimmers feed on mosquito larvae and pupae live in breeding areas of mosquitoes. Some insecticide sprays to control larval mosquitoes may have negative effects on these non-target insects and related organisms. In this thesis, laboratory bioassays were conducted with some common mosquito larvicides (Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. israelensis, Spinosad, Diflubenzuron and Pyriproxyfen), at World Health Organization recommended doses, to determine their relative toxicities for non-target organism; backswimmer (Notonecta sp.) nymphs. These insects were collected several days prior to the experiment from greenhouse irrigation pools in Cakirlar, Konyaalti, Antalya, period in April and June of 2013. According to the results, tested four larvicides were showed low toxic effect to Notonecta sp. nymphs in 7-day exposure time except for the highest doses of Spinosad (500 g ai/ha, 68,75% mortality) and Diflubenzuron (100 g ai/ha, 44,32% mortality).