154 - Strategies for Aedes aegypti Control in Wide Areas: Spatial Application of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis – Bti WDG

Abstract: The Aedes aegypti control program in Brazil has as its main preventive action the elimination of breeding sites and the application of larvicides. These activities are carried out by Endemic Control Agents (ACE) during home visits in infested areas. However, one of the main challenges is the absence of residents during the visit hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), which results in low coverage and untreated breeding sites.To address this, non-invasive control strategies such as drone-based larvicide application have been introduced. However, this method primarily targets large breeding sites like water tanks and abandoned pools, leaving smaller containers, often found in backyards and vacant lots, unaddressed. An alternative solution is the spatial application of low-toxicity larvicides using vehicle-mounted equipment, effective in areas where access is restricted due to resident absence, refusal, or in locations like cemeteries and illegal dumps. This approach also proves valuable in situations requiring rapid intervention, such as after natural disasters where debris accumulates water. The spatial application of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) WDG formulation using vehicle-mounted equipment has been shown to be effective in treating smaller breeding sites (up to 50 liters). Recent studies in Brazil indicated that an area of 25 hectares could be treated in one hour with this method, using only two ACEs. In contrast, the traditional home visit method required 20 hours and 18 ACEs for the same area (Costa Filho et al., 2024). This study evaluates the efficacy of the Micronair® AU 8115 with the Micronair® AU5000 atomizer. Field tests showed 100% mortality of Aedes aegypti larvae in pots up to 30 meters away and over 90% in backyard pots. The impact on vector density is currently being assessed using ovitrap monitoring.