Delayed mortality and morphogenetic anomalies induced in Culex quinquefasciatus by the microbial control agent Bacillus sphaericus.

Two preparations of Bacillus sphaericus 2362 were studied for their biological activity, delayed mortality and the induction of morphogenetic aberrations in larvae, pupae and adults of Culex quinquefasciatus. Longevity and fecundity of adult mosquitoes were also assessed. A dosage response line for B. sphaericus was established against 4th-instar larvae and sublethal concentrations (48 h LC50 and lower) were used against these larvae. Sublethal concentrations of B. sphaericus induced delayed mortality in larvae, pupae and adults. The magnitude of mortality increased in succeeding cohorts and developmental stages resulting from the surviving larvae. Only 10 and 25% overall emergence of viable adults occurred in the sublethal treatments (LC25) of 2 B. sphaericus preparations. The range of successful adult emergence was over 94% in the controls. A wide range of external morphogenetic aberrations in dead larvae, pupae and adults were noted. These aberrations and gross morphological features were quite similar to those reported for certain insect growth regulators. Sublethal concentrations had no marked effect on longevity of adults, egg deposition and hatch.