208 - Residual Methoprene Usage for Larval Control in Rice fields

Abstract: In the United States, nearly 3 million acres of rice are farmed on an annual basis, with Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas being the biggest producers. Due to the irrigation practices used to grow rice, they can be a very productive source for several mosquito species, including the West Nile virus vector Culex tarsalis. Over the years mosquito development in rice fields has been managed using a combination of single brood larvicide treatments, adulticides and biological control, however residual larvicides have not been used due to the perceived cost. This season, Central Life Sciences in collaboration with the Fresno Westside Mosquito Abatement District investigated the viability of using the residual larvicide Altosid P35 in the rice fields located outside of Fresno, California. Unmanned aerial applications were used to make the larvicide treatment and Fresno Westside staff monitored larval abundance and adult emergence for the duration of the study. This presentation will cover the results of the study and look forward to how the use of residual larvicides can create operational efficiencies for mosquito control agencies.