A Larvicide (alternatively Larvacide) is an insecticide that is specifically targeted against the larval life stage of an insect. Larvacides may be contact poisons, stomach poisons, growth regulators, or (increasingly) biological control agents. A insecticide is a pesticide used against insects in all development forms. ... A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). ... Classes & Orders See taxonomy Insects are invertebrate animals of the Class Insecta, the largest and (on land) most widely-distributed taxon within the phylum Arthropoda. ... Biological control of pests and diseases Overview A key belief of the organic gardener is that diversity furthers health. ...

Biological Agents

The biological control agent Bacillus thuringiensis, also known as Bt, is a bacterial disease specific to Lepidopteran caterpillars. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, also known as Bti, and Bacillus sphaericus affect larval mosquitoes and some midges have come into increasing use in recent times. Binomial name Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner 1915 Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive, soil dwelling bacterium of the genus Bacillus. ... Super Families Butterflies Hesperioidea Papilionoidea Moths Micropterigoidea Heterobathmioidea Eriocranioidea Acanthopteroctetoidea Lophocoronoidea Neopseustoidea Mnesarchaeoidea Hepialoidea Nepticuloidea Incurvarioidea Palaephatoidea Tischeriodea Simaethistoidea Tineoidea Gracillarioidea Yponomeutoidea Gelechioidea Zygaenoidea Sesioidea Cossoidea Tortricoidea Choreutoida Urodoidea Galacticoidea Schreckensteinioidea Epermenioidea Pterophoroidea Aluctoidea Immoidea Axioidea Hyblaeoidea Thyridoidea Whalleyanoidea Pyraloidea Mimallonoidea Lasiocampoidea Geometroidea Drepanoidea Bombycoidea Calliduloidae Hedyloidea Noctuoidea Families About... The striking caterpillar of the Emperor Gum Moth This article is about insect larva. ... Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis, also known as Bti, is a biological control agent for larval mosquitoes. ... Genera The mosquito is a member of the family Culicidae; these insects have a pair of scaled wings, a pair of halteres, a slender body, and long legs. ... Midges on a car Midges are small, two-winged flying insects. ...

Bti and B. spaericus are both naturally occuring soil bacterium registered as larvicides under the names Aquabac, Teknar, Vectobac, LarvX, and VectoLex CG. Typically in granular form, pellets are distributed on the surface of stagnant water locations. When the mosquito larvae ingest the bacteria, crystalized toxins are produced which destroys the digestion tract. These larvicides will last only a few weeks in water and pose no danger to humans, non-targeted animal species, or the environment when used according to directions. Water stagnation occurs when water stops flowing. ...

Methoprene is another biological agent that interupts the growth cycle of insect larvae, preventing them from development beyond the pupa stage. Altosid is the trade name for methoprene, which is usually applied to larger bodies of water in the form of time-release briquets which can last from one to five months. Use of this larvicide does not pose an unreasonable health risks to humans or other wildlife and it will not leach into the ground water supply. There is a small acute and chronic risk to some fish and freshwater invertibrate specides. Methoprene is a general use insecticide that acts as a growth regulator. ... Chrysalis of Gulf Fritillary in Georgetown, South Carolina Pupation of Inachis io A pupa (plural: pupae or pupas) is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation. ...

Temephos, marketed as Abate, is an organophosphate which prevents mosquito larvae from developing resistance to bacterial larvicides. Due to the small amount needed and the fast rate that temephos breaks down in water, this type of larvicide doesn't pose an unreasonable health risk to humans. But at large doses it can cause nausea or dizziness. Similarly, there is not a large risk to terrestrial species, but there is a toxic concern for non-targetted aquatic species. Therefore, temephos should be limited only to sites where less hazardous larvicides are ineffective and controlling application intervals. An organophosphate (sometimes abbreviated OP) is the general name for esters of phosphoric acid and is one of the organophosphorus compounds. ...

Surface Films

Larviciding techniques can also include the addition of surface films to standing water to suffocate mosquito wigglers, or the genetic modification of plants so that they naturally produce a larvicide in plant tissues.

External Resources

EPA explanations of various laricides