Two new mosquito pathogenic strains of Bacillus sphaericus from Turkey

The increase in the mosquito population along the Mediterranean coast in Turkey during the summer constitutes a considerable nuisance as well as representing a potential source of vectors for certain diseases present in the area. We have sought bacterial entomopathogens native to the area to use in vector control efforts. Of 342 B. sphaericus isolates obtained from 70 samples collected from a variety of mosquito habitats, two strains (designated 31 and 34) obtained near the city of Aydin were pathogenic for larvae of C. quinquefasciatus . The LC sub(50)s for strains 31 and 34 against second instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus were 20 (range 14 to 24) and 6 (range 3 to 9) mu g/ml, respectively (means of three determinations). These strains are about 10 super(3) to 10 super(4) times less toxic than the most toxic B. sphaericus) strains (e.g., strains 2362 or 1593) or B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis .