Efficacy and longevity of a new formulation of temephos larvicide tested in village-scale trials against larval Aedes aegypti in water-storage containers.

Field trials on the initial and long-term efficacy of a new formulation of temephos granules (1% on zeolite) applied at 1 ppm active ingredient (AI) were conducted in water-storage containers against Aedes aegypti in 3 villages in the Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand. A total of 316 water-storage containers of various types and sizes were included in the study. In the initial survey, we found that some containers were positive for larval Ae. aegypti, whereas others were devoid of larvae before the initiation of treatments. The containers all were numbered with paint and divided into 4 groups: with larvae and treated, without larvae and treated, with larvae untreated, and without larvae and untreated. Assessment of larval abundance was made 48 h after treatment and monthly thereafter for 5 months. Containers with larvae and that were treated exhibited almost complete absence of larval Ae. aegypti for 2 months, but a small proportion became positive after 3 months. Most of these positive containers were devoid of zeolite granules, which are visible in the containers. The number of positive containers increased in months 4 and 5, despite the fact that residues of temephos granules were present in some of the larvae-positive containers. The containers initially without larvae and treated with temephos essentially were devoid of larvae for 2 months. After 3, 4, and 5 months, about 6-23% of the containers became positive despite the fact that some had visible amounts of temephos granules. In the 2 control groups initially with and without larvae, sustained and consistent production of larvae occurred. Even in the group initially without a larval population, the containers became positive for larvae 1 month after the start of the experiment and the positivity rate increased as the trial progressed. From these studies, the conclusion can be made that a single application of temephos zeolite granules at 1 ppm AI can provide highly satisfactory control of larval Ae. aegypti in water-storage containers for at least 3 months in the field under normal water-use practices.