BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS VAR. ISRAELENSIS COMO ALTERNATIVA PARA O CONTROLE POPULACIONAL DE AEDES AEGYPTI (LINNAEUS, 1762) (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)

Abstract

Dengue, chikungunya and zika are among the major problems to public health problem in the world. In the absence of vaccine, the only known alternative to prevention is to control the mosquito. Among the methods of control, using biological strains of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) has stood out for its efficiency and security in the application. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Bti to control the population of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in junkyards  and recycling centers of Chapecó, Santa Catarina. Seven applications of Bti were conducted once every 21 days, three junkyards and three recycling centers, from August to December 2014. Was used wettable powder, soluble in water and applied at a concentration of 800 grams per hectare according to the manufacturer's technical specifications. The monthly number of larvae and of eggs and larvae of A. aegypti were recorded and compared with the results obtained in junkyards and recycling control. It was observed a reduction of 89.6% in the number of eggs and mosquito larvae in establishments that received treatment with Bti, compared to the establishments control. The infestation occurred two months earlier in establishments that did not receive treatment. The Bti was efficient in the mosquito A. aegypti population control in junkyards and recycling centers in tested conditions. It is presented as an alternative for the prevention of dengue, chikungunya and zika virus.