Which species of bacteria are lethal when ingested by mosquito larvae?

Bacillus thuringiensis is a species of bacteria that produces a toxin specifically lethal to the larvae of various insects, including mosquitoes. This bacterium has been widely used in biological pest control because of its effectiveness and safety for non-target organisms such as humans, animals, and beneficial insects. The bacteria release a protein that, when ingested by mosquito larvae, disrupts their digestive process, leading to death.

In the context of the other options, while Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae are associated with human infections, they do not specifically target mosquito larvae or produce insecticidal toxins. Clostridium botulinum, although it produces a potent toxin that affects animals (including humans) through different mechanisms, is not particularly effective against mosquito larvae. Bacillus thuringiensis stands out as the only choice that directly relates to the control of mosquito populations through its lethal effects on their larvae.