What is a Larvicide?

• A. A pesticide used to kill adult mosquitoes
• B. A trap that targets gravid female mosquitoes
• C. A surveillance method where mosquitoes are counted as they land on a human in a set time
• D. A pesticide used to kill mosquito larvae

Answer: (D)

A larvicide is a pesticide that targets the larval stage of mosquitoes in their aquatic habitats, preventing them from maturing into flying adults. Since mosquitoes begin life in water, applying a larvicide to breeding sites interrupts the life cycle early and reduces the number of mosquitoes that reach adulthood. Examples include biological products like Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), which kills larvae when ingested, and growth regulators like methoprene, which disrupt development. This approach is different from adulticides, which kill adult mosquitoes after they emerge. The other options describe tools or methods that are not pesticides—such as traps or surveillance techniques focused on adult mosquitoes.