Abstract
Chironomid larvae are an important food source for many species of wildlife that depend upon wetland habitats. Using various pesticides to control mosquitoes may impact chironomid larvae, with important consequences to the quality of these wetland habitats for wildlife. We tested the effect of traditional mosquito larvicides: Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (BT1), temephos, a carbohydrate gum thickener (xanthan gum), and a modified starch (National 5370) on chironomid larvae in a wetland located in eastern Delaware. Only temephos reduced numbers of live chironomid larvae observed (P<0.01). We discuss the potential role of a carbohydrate-based mosquito control method in wetlands where chironomid larvae are the nontarget invertebrates of concern.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 741-745 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - Sep 1999 |
Keywords
- Abate®
- Aquatic invertebrates
- Bacillius thuringiensis
- Chironomids
- Mosquito control
- Temephos
- Wetlands
- Xanthan gum
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nature and Landscape Conservation