This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a long lasting organic formulation to effectively manage and suppress populations of mosquito vectors of disease. The banning of DDT and other persistent mosquito larvicides several decades ago has created a major gap in vector management that has yet to be effectively filled by generations of environmentally friendly chemicals and formulations that followed. The consequences are tangible to the human population worldwide. We are currently experiencing more pain, suffering, and deaths from mosquito transmitted diseases than when DDT was available. Biological larvicidal formulations have been proven safe and effective in controlling mosquito larvae, with the caveat that they have a very short field life which requires frequent reapplications to sustain control, in turn making them too expensive for adoption by most areawide vector control programs. Because of this, biological larvicidal formulations are seldom used preventatively. This SBIR project will bridge this gap and increase the longevity, and usability, of biological larvicides. Success will result in direct mitigation of soil and waterways pollution commonly associated with conventional pesticides for mosquito control.
The broader/commercial impacts of this research are, if this SBIR project is successful, the development of a biological, long lasting larvicidal formulation that will significantly change the way parasitic mosquitoes are managed worldwide, making it much more effective, reducing disease and suffering, and saving lives while significantly reducing non-target effects and environmental pollution. This is a worldwide market opportunity of over $2B/year.
For decades, mosquito control has relied almost exclusively on the use of conventional adulticide sprays to control mosquito outbreaks. Although in many instances, these efforts have successfully helped control mosquito diseases, widespread insecticide resistance and the de-registration of many older compounds, such as DDT and some carbamates and organophosphates for this use are already threatening our ability to control these important disease vectors. The advent of larvicidal formulations containing Bacillus thuringiensis sv. israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs), two bacteria with virtually no toxicity to humans or the environment, showed early promise in the control of mosquito larvae. Sadly, their short field life and difficulty in application proved to be overwhelming obstacles to adoption of these products on a broad scale. Product innovation is a pressing need in order for these safer biological alternatives to become widely adopted. With the use of its patented slow release matrix system, SPLAT® (Specialized Pheromone and Lure Application Technology), ISCA Technologies, Inc. (Riverside, CA) has developed a promising formulation that not only simplifies the application of Bti and Bs in the field, but also extends the field life of these biological larvicides. In semi-field efficacy assays, SPLAT BAC controlled Culex quinquefasciatus larvae for ten weeks, significantly longer than most formulations containing these compounds, which typically last just a few days. In addition, SPLAT BAC has been formulated with novel ingredients that both attract egg-laying females to treated areas and increase feeding of mosquito larvae on the formulation (Bti and Bs must be ingested to be efficacious), further improving the efficacy of the formulation. Intellectual Merit: This project has resulted in valuable product innovation in the stagnant mosquito vector control industry. The prototype organic SPLAT BAC formulation incorporates powerful biological killing agents (Bti and Bs), as well as innovative larval and adult mosquito attractants. This unique, flowable formulation not only significantly increases the field life of these biological agents, but also provides unrivalled versatility of application, finally allowing these promising insecticides to reach their full market potential.. Broader Impacts: Effective mosquito control is critical to protecting humans and animals from the significant threat of mosquito-borne illnesses. SPLAT BAC has the potential to revolutionize larval mosquito control, enabling the management of these disease vectors at a lower cost than current programs, while virtually eliminating adverse effects on humans and the environment. SPLAT BAC has the potential to save thousands of human lives worldwide.
