An Entomopathogenic Fungus for Control of Adult African Malaria Mosquitoes

Abstract

Efficacy of the Metarhizium brunneum Petch (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) strain ART2825 for control of wireworms (Agriotes obscurus (L.), Coleoptera: Elateridae) was examined in a semi-field pot experiment. Pots were treated in late summer during sowing of spring oat as a cover crop. Survival of wireworms was assessed four weeks after their release in October 2013, and 30 weeks after release in April 2014. Viability and persistence of the fungus was determined by counting colony forming units from substrate samples and microsatellite analyses of recovered Metarhizium isolates. The number of colonies detected in the substrate in October 2013 increased with increasing concentrations of applied conidia, and no significant reduction was observed at the second evaluation date in April 2014. Increasing conidia application rates significantly increased myco-sis and reduced wireworm survival, to a level comparable to that of treatment using insecticide-coated oat seeds. The preventive application of M. brunneum conidia to reduce wireworm populations in cover crops, preceding a damage-sensitive crop like potatoes , may be a promising biocontrol strategy.

Pathogenicity of <i>Aspergillus clavatus</i> produced in a fungal biofilm bioreactor toward <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…1,2) Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana are promising alternatives to conventional insecticides for eliminating mosquito vectors. 3,4) Recently, many Aspergillus species have commonly been used against mosquitoes. 5,6) The larvicidal effect of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus metabolites for controlling Culex quinquefasciatus has been shown.…”

Malaria Control in Nigeria

“…the spread of malaria. Two studies have assessed the potential, in the laboratory and in the field [35][36][37]. These fungi can be introduced into mosquito habitats to act as predators on mosquito larva and reduce the abundance of mosquitoes in the environment.…”

Selection for resistance to a fungal pathogen in Drosophila melanogaster

“…Fungal pathogens are used as biopesticides, for example against locusts, while new applications such as combating the mosquito vectors of malaria are being explored (Kooyman et al, 1997;Lomer et al, 2001;Blanford et al, 2005;Scholte et al, 2005). Evolution of resistance against pesticides is a continuing problem in pest control.…”