Biological mosquito control in Sweden and risk assessment for non-target wetland insects

Persson Thomas Z.; Schäfer, Martina; Lundström, Jan O.

Dept of Population Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala Universiry, Sweden

Seasonally floodings of the River Dalälven create widespread temporary wetlands and induce massive hatching of floodwater mosquitoes during spring and summer. The aim of the project “Biological Mosquito Control Nedre Dalälven” is to reduce mosquito nuisance without causing negative effects on the wetland fauna. Mosquito larvae are controlled by the biological mosquito control agent Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) spread from helicopter. The aim of the present study was to investigate if BTI had any negative effect on other insects living in the shallow temporary wetlands. During May to September 2002, almost 30,000 insects were collected from six different wetlands. Three of the wetlands were treated with BTI on two occasions, providing a good opportunity to observe effects on the wetland fauna.

The collected insects were sorted to order. In addition, the Nematocera were sorted to family, and diving beetles (Dytiscidae) were identified to species. Preliminary analyses between BTI treated and untreated areas showed no negative effects caused by BTI, neither between insect orders nor within the Nematocera. The seasonal variation of insect faunas in treated and untreated wetlands correlated well, and no reduction caused by BTI was observed at this taxonomic level. A total of 1,462 diving beetles, one group of important mosquito predators, were collected in the six wetlands. Again, no significant difference was observed between treated and untreated wetlands. Although one season is not sufficient for final conclusions, the preliminary data showed no major impact of BTI on non-target organisms and provided baseline data for our future experimental work.

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