Bacteriological larvicides of dipteran disease vectors

The apparent success in vector control observed between 1950 and 1970 was followed by worldwide resistance to organosynthetic insecticides wherever they were used intensively. Insect resistance to one or more categories of insecticides has limited the effectiveness of these compounds, and their nonselective mode of action adversely affects non-target organisms. This scenario highlights the need for selective agents in integrated vector control programs. This article gives an overview of the main fundamental and applied research topics on entomopathogenic bacteria in relation to their role in vector control.