Compatibility of cyclopoid copepods with mosquito insecticides.

ABSTRACT

Larvivorous copepods (Macrocyclops, Mesocyclops and Acanthocyclops) were tested for their sensitivities to commonly used mosquito larvicides and adulticides. The cyclopoids were not harmed by Bacillus thuringiensis (H-14) (B.t.i.) or larviciding oil. Control of mosquito larvae in field trials was accelerated by applying B.t.i. at the same time cyclopoids were introduced to a breeding site. Among adulticides tested, the cyclopoids were least sensitive to permethrin. Field trials demonstrated that permethrin does not harm cyclopoids when applied at label specifications.