Ovicidal and Larvicidal Effects of Spinosad in Aedes Aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

The ovicidal and larvicidal effects of spinosad were studied in Aedes aegypti treated with concentrations of 0.1, 5 y 10 ppm spinosad (Tracer 480SC) during different periods of exposure at a constant temperature of 25±1°C. In a first experiment the ovicidal effects were low (6.6-8.2% of non-eclosion averaged over 12-96h exposure periods), whereas in a second experiment ovicidal effects were moderate (27.9 - 31.9% of non-eclosion in eggs exposed to spinosad suspension of 1-12 weeks old). Mortality of larvae increased significantly with increasing concentration and increasing duration of exposure to this product. Although spinosad has clear applications as a mosquito control product for control of vectors such as A. aegypti, it is clear that its vector control potential resides in its larvicidal effects rather than its ovicidal activity.