Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis as a microbial control agent against adult and immature stages of the sandfly, phlebotomus papatasi under laboratory conditions

The laboratory treatment of adult and immature stages of Phlebotomus papatasi by the bacterial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis was carried out. Different concentrations of Bti mixed with fructose and glucose were assayed against the adult sandfly, while the immature stages were treated by offering larval diet contaminated by Bti in different concentrations diluted by distilled water. Bti could induce mortality to half of the larval and pupal population at 0.26 x 10-5 g/L. The median lethal doses of adults, which were fed on contaminated surgery diet with serial dilutions of Bti, were 1.3 x 10-2 g/L with fructose and 3 x 10-2 g/L with glucose after 47 and 72 hours. The longevity period of larvae and pupae fed on contaminated larval diet showed negative correlation with bacterial concentrations, except for high concentrations. The bacterial control of the sandfly Ph. Papatasi could be recommended, particularly as adulticide agents