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EFFECT OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS VAR. ISRAELENSIS ON A GENETICALLY-DEFINED POPULATION OF BLACK FLIES (DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE) AND ASSOCIATED INSECTS IN A MONTANE NEW HAMPSHIRE STREAM1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Lawrence A. Pistrang  and
John F. Burger
Lawrence A. Pistrang
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, University of New Hampshire, Durham 03824
John F. Burger
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, University of New Hampshire, Durham 03824
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Abstract

A small, undisturbed stream in central New Hampshire was treated for 1 min with a 10 ppm suspension of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.) to determine the effect on an outlet-breeding black fly population and associated nontarget aquatic insects. The black fly larval population was eliminated and susbsequent adult black fly biting activity reduced near the treatment site although weather conditions may also have contributed to an observed decrease in biting activity. Some Chironomidae were killed by B.t.i. but they were not abundant enough to adequately assess impact on their populations. Temporary increases in the drift of two Ephemeroptera and two Trichoptera species were observed following treatment. Increase in rate of drift was inversely related to increase in distance from the treatment point. Slight increases in observed drift of three Plecoptera species could not be attributed directly to the B.t.i. treatment. No direct mortality caused by B.t.i. was observed in any stream insects studied except black fly larvae and some Chironomidae.

Résumé

Un petit ruisseau intact du centre du New Hampshire a été traité pendant 1 min. avec une suspension à 10 ppm du Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.) afin de déterminer ses effets sur une population de mouche noire et les insectes aquatiques non visés qui étaient présents. La population larvaire de mouche noire a été éliminée et l'intensité d'attaque de adultes près du site du traitement a été abaissée, bien qu'il se peut que les conditions météorologiques aient contribué à la baisse de l'activité des adultes. Certains chironomides ont été éliminés par le B.t.i. mais ils n'étaient pas assez abondants pour permettre une évaluation de l'impact sur leurs populations. Des augmentations temporaires de la dérive de deux espèces d'éphéméroptères et de deux espèces de trichoptères ont été observées suite au traitement. L'augmentation de la densité de dérive était inversement reliée à un accroissement de la distance du point de traitement. Des augmentations légères de la dérive de trois espèces de plécoptères n'ont pu être attribuées directement au traitement par le B.t.i.. Aucune mortalité directement causée par le B.t.i. n'a été observée sur aucun des insectes étudiés sauf les larves de mouche noire et certains chironomides.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 116 , Issue 7 , July 1984 , pp. 975 - 981
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1984

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References

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