Efficacy of methyl bromide fumigation and insecticidal dips against Aedes eggs on lucky bamboo.

Importation of lucky bamboo (Dracaena sp.) stalk clusters has led to the accidental importation of Aedes albopictus in some countries. Current methods of fumigation using methyl bromide are harmful to live plants and thus are not acceptable. We exposed Aedes aegypti eggs to methyl bromide at rates of 32 g/m3 for 2 and 3 h and 48 g/m3 for 3 h, achieving complete control in 0/5, 1/5, and 5/5 replicates, respectively. Submersion for 1 min in aqueous solutions of 0.04% active ingredient (AI) lambda-cyhalothrin, 0.04% AI bifenthrin and carbaryl + malathion (both 0.1% AI) + petroleum oil (1% AI) provided 100% control of Ae. aegypti eggs laid on Dracaena stalk clusters. These methods, apparently harmless to plants, would have application in preventing the importation of exotic Aedes eggs on lucky bamboo shipments.