| Summary: | Background & objectives : In India, temephos and fenthion are used as larvicides in fresh andpolluted waters. Since use of same insecticide may precipitate resistant, as an alternative bioefficacyof pirimiphos-methyl—an organophosphorus insecticide was evaluated against immatures of Anophelesand Culex species in different breeding habitats in District Ghaziabad (U.P.) and Goa.Methods : Laboratory bioassays were carried out using standard WHO procedure. LC50 and LC90were calculated using Probit analysis. Abbott’s formula was used to calculate per cent correctedmortality in laboratory exposures while, Mulla’s formula was applied for calculating per cent reductionin mosquito immatures under field conditions.Results : Pirimiphos-methyl was found to be most effective against larvae of An. stephensi followedby An. culicifacies and Cx. quinquefasciatus. The LC50 and LC90 values against three species were0.023, 0.032 and 0.04 ppm; and 0.045, 0.057 and 0.114 ppm respectively. In field, pirimiphos-methyl@ 200 g a.i./ha against Anopheles species and @ 300 g a.i./ha against Culex species can produce> 80 % reduction in density of immatures up to one week in different habitats. Pirimiphos-methyl< 0.25 ppm is not toxic to fish.Interpretation & conclusion : Pirimiphos-methyl is more effective against anophelines in clean waterthan culicines in polluted water. This larvicide should not be used at a concentration above 0.25 ppmin habitats harbouring the larvivorous fish.
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