Field tests of the mosquito fungus Culicinomyces clavisporus against the Australian encephalitis vector Culex annulirostris.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

1983

Original Publication

Mosquito News

Volume

43

Series / Issue

Issue: 3

Pages

290-297

Contributed by

American Mosquito Control Association

Notes

Author(s) - Sweeney, A. W., R. Cooper, B. E. Medcraft, R. C. Russell, M. O'Donnell and C. Panter.

 

Abstract

Aqueous suspensions of Culicinomyces clavisporus conidia were applied to 5 different breeding habitats of Culex annulirostris. This species was controlled in 3 unpolluted sites at dose rates of 1010 and 5 x 109 conidia/m2 with 95-100% reductions of late-instar larvae occurring during the first week after application. Approximately 80% mortality of larvae was achieved in a pond polluted with sewage effluent treated with 1010 conidia/m2 but the fungus was ineffective when this rate was applied to an anaerobic pond polluted with decaying plant debris. Examination of larvae removed from the latter site revealed that the conidia failed to germinate and penetrate the host cuticle under these conditions. Larvae which hatched in one of the unpolluted sites 5 days after treatment were controlled by the fungus but there was no evidence that is persisted or recycled to provide significant larval control beyond this period in any of the other treated sites.

Notes

Author(s) - Sweeney, A. W., R. Cooper, B. E. Medcraft, R. C. Russell, M. O'Donnell and C. Panter.