Bti, used for mosquito larval control, is best described as what type of agent?

Bti, used for mosquito larval control, is best described as what type of agent?

• A. Bacterial
• B. Insect Growth Regulator
• C. Mineral oil
• D. Organophosphate

Answer: (A)

Bti is a bacterial larvicide. It comes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, and mosquito larvae ingest the toxin crystals produced by this organism. Inside the larval gut, the toxins create pores and disrupt digestion, leading to the larvae’s death. This mode of action is specific to dipteran larvae, which is why it’s favored for mosquito control and is relatively safe for many non-target organisms. It’s not an insect growth regulator, which would alter development hormones; it’s not mineral oil, which works by smothering larvae; and it’s not an organophosphate, a chemical nerve toxin. So the best description is that Bti is a bacterial agent.

Bti is a bacterial larvicide. It comes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, and mosquito larvae ingest the toxin crystals produced by this organism. Inside the larval gut, the toxins create pores and disrupt digestion, leading to the larvae’s death. This mode of action is specific to dipteran larvae, which is why it’s favored for mosquito control and is relatively safe for many non-target organisms. It’s not an insect growth regulator, which would alter development hormones; it’s not mineral oil, which works by smothering larvae; and it’s not an organophosphate, a chemical nerve toxin. So the best description is that Bti is a bacterial agent.