Our current knowledge on the key molecular mechanisms and cognate signaling transduction, by the dendotoxin- mediated mosquitoticidal effects, associated with exposure to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs), is limited. Moreover, this observed mosquitocidal activity that is related to program cell death is largely unknown. Therefore, in an attempt to answer this question, the current study was primarily sought to provide evidence as to the molecular mechanism of mortality in Bt/Bs infected Aedes caspius mosquito larvae.

The present study aimed to identify the mosquito vectors distributed throughout AL-Ahsaa
district situated in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Mosquito larvae were collected seasonally
for one year (October 2009 to September 2010) from different breeding sites in seven rural areas

This study investigates the glutathione-immunity interaction upon infection of both larval and adult stages of Aedes caspius with Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk). The anti-oxidative stress, in terms of glutathione (GSH) titer, and melanization immune response, in terms of phenoloxidase (PO) titer, was investigated. Data from Btk-infected larvae showed no or significant lower GSH titer at 12 or 24 h posttreatment respectively compared to control larvae.

It has recently been shown that Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) suppressed both immune and antioxidant responses in the autogenous mosquito, Aedes caspius. The purpose of the presented study herein was to investigate the concomitant oxidative stresses upon infection with Btk. Data showed elevation in the level of both lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, as important oxidative stress biomarkers, in Btk infected Ae. caspius mosquitoes.

The present study recorded mosquito autogeny for the first time amongst Aedes
caspius species in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Laboratory rearing showed an
obligatory autogenous species of Ae. caspius since it foregoes blood feeding during its
first ovarian cycle, even in the presence of the hosts (CD mouse), but produces its second
egg batch only if ingested a blood meal. Both morphological and molecular identification
confirmed that both autogenous and anautogenous strains belong to the same species of

Insects possess effective defense mechanisms against pathogens via induction of antimicrobial immune and oxidative stress responses. In this study, immune impact and histological damages in the gastric caeca have been investigated in the 3rd instar larvae of the autogenous Aedes caspius upon infection with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Data showed a significant increase in phenoloxidase (PO) activity by 1.23 folds at 4 h post-infection which then reduced to the normal level at 8 h post-infection and until larval death.

This study was conducted to investigate the oxidative stress and apoptotic signs detectable by flow cytometry as proposed pathogenicity mechanisms for the mosquitocidal bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in the mosquito vector, Culex pipiens. Obtained data showed elevation in the levels of the oxidative stress biomarkers, the lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, upon Bt-infection. Larvae showed significant higher levels of both lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation at 12 and 24h post-infection compared to control ones.