This study addresses the development and preference evaluation of new mosquito attractants, as well as the control efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)-based biological agents for managing disease-vector mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are majo...
This study addresses the development and preference evaluation of new mosquito attractants, as well as the control efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)-based biological agents for managing disease-vector mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are major vectors of various diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus, and have significant impacts on global public health. Climate change driven by global warming has expanded the habitat range and activity period of these pests, prompting research into pest control strategies. While chemical control using insecticides is a fundamental approach to pest management, it faces challenges such as the development of insecticide resistance, environmental pollution, and harm to non-target organisms. This highlights the need for environmentally friendly and sustainable pest control methods.
The first study developed new attractants (Type 1, Type 2, Type 3) by combining various volatile compounds and compared their efficacy with commercially available attractants, BG-Lure and BG-Mozzibait. Field experiments conducted in Thailand and South Korea revealed that BG-Lure exhibited the highest average attractant efficacy overall. However, Type 3 attractant recorded the highest daily average capture rate in South Korea, surpassing the performance of commercially available attractants in specific environments. Type 1 attractant also demonstrated similar efficacy to BG-Mozzibait in the Thailand experiments. These findings indicate that the performance of attractants varies depending on the region and target species, underscoring the need for selecting attractants tailored to specific environments.
The second study evaluated the control efficacy of Bti-based biological agents against mosquito larvae. The results showed that Bti significantly reduced the survival rates of chironomid and mosquito larvae within 24 hours, demonstrating its effectiveness as a control agent. Experiments on Oryzias sinensis showed 100% survival, confirming that Bti exhibits selective toxicity, targeting pests without affecting non-target organisms, making it a safe control agent. Experiments conducted with various concentrations indicated that consistent performance can be expected with proper dosing.
The findings of this study demonstrate that the application of new attractants and Bti provides effective alternatives for controlling mosquitoes and chironomids. These approaches can overcome the limitations of conventional chemical control methods and serve as foundational data for sustainable pest management strategies, with potential contributions to public health improvement.
Key words : Physical control, mosquito control, attractant, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, chironomid control