A Native Bacillus Thuringiensis Strain with Higher Insecticidal Activity Against Adult Aedes Aegypti Than the Larvae

Mosquitoes of several species cause the deaths of millions of people annually, making them the major disease vectors. Bioinsecticide formulations derived from Bacillus thuringiensis are widely acknowledged as highly efficient, sustainable, environmentally friendly, and safe means of controlling insect pests. In this study, a strain of B. thuringiensis exhibiting significant efficacy in controlling Aedes aegypti was isolated from the local environment, identified, and physiologically characterized. The isolated B. thuringiensis strain exhibited positive insecticidal activity against the larvae and adult Aedes aegypti, causing mortality of the insect larvae at a rate of 3.33% and adult at 53.33 – 93.33% in 48 hours. Experiments conducted in a controlled laboratory setting showed that B. thuringiensis toxin exhibited higher levels of activity against the adult mosquito than the larvae. This study demonstrates that bioinsecticide formulation using B. thuringiensis as the active agent has the potential to effectively and sustainably manage larvae and adult Aedes aegypti.