Interactive Effect of Botanicals and <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> Subsp <i>Israelensis</i> on <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> Say

Abstract

Strains of <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> Say were selected for testing insecticidal toxins produced by <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> Subsp <i>Israelensis</i> Berliner, Neem oil (<i>Azadirachta indica</i>) and Pongamia oil (<i>Pongamia pinnata</i>), singally as well as in combination. The larval, pupal and adult mortality increased significantly with increasing levels of <i>Bii</i>, neem oil and pongamia oil, either alone or in combination. In contrast, combination of neem oil and pongamia oil with <i>Bii</i> resulted in a synergestic of potentiate effect on larvae of <i>C. quinquefasciatus</i>. Sublethal concentrations of neem oil pongamia oil and <i>Bii</i> applied singally or in combination, reduce the fecundity and retarded the larval growth of <i>C</i>. <i>quinquefasciatus</i> . The emergence of adults was also studied woth <i>Bii,</i> neem oil and pongamia oil treatment alone and in combination. The treatment with <i>Bii,</i> neem oil pongamia oil affected the emergence of <i>C</i>. <i>quinquefasciatus</i>.