Evaluation of boric acid sugar baits sprayed on plants against the salt marsh mosquito, Aedes taeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae)

A Toxic Sugar Bait (TSB, active ingredient 1% boric acid) was evaluated against Aedes taeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the laboratory and the field at St. Augustine, Florida. The laboratory component was comprised of plants located in known Ae. taeniorhynchus resting areas, i.e., black mangrove (Avecennia germinans L.) and yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria Ait.). The results indicated that TSB sprayed on black mangrove and yaupon holly cuttings at 48 h resulted in significant mortality of resting Ae. taeniorhynchus, compared with the mortality of mosquitoes in the control group under the laboratory conditions. Also, the field studies indicated a significant reduction in mosquito populations after TSB was applied on plants.