Entomopathogenic organisms: conceptual advances and real-world applications for mosquito biological control

Abstract

Recently, advances have been made in the use of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of not only crop pests but also disease vectoring insects. New approaches, for example, combining control strategies such as the application of conventional insecticides and biological control agents together, are highly promising, especially as many insecticides are compatible with entomopathogenic fungi. In this review, we discuss some of the new approaches being developed for vector control. Governmental authorities must implement rational integrated vector management programs for reducing deaths and suffering caused by insect-vectored diseases. Although there are now many alternatives to conventional chemical control methods, the use of pesticides is still the mainstay of mosquito control measures. However, mosquitoes are rapidly developing resistance to the chemical insecticides in use at the moment. The deployment of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of all stages of the mosquito life cycle is an alternative strategy currently being investigated by many different research groups. It has been shown that entomopathogenic fungi can efficiently kill mosquito larvae and adults in laboratory and field conditions. However, an important aspect of this new approach is how to apply these biological control agents economically and efficiently. By using combinations of control agents and novel application systems, it may be possible to significantly reduce mosquito populations to levels at which epidemics of malaria, dengue fever, zika virus, and chikungunya do not occur.

Proteomics as a tool for tapping potential of entomopathogens as microbial insecticides

“…B. bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are well‐studied EPFs that have been formulated and commercialized as mycoinsecticides known as Botanigard® (http://www.bioworksinc.com) and Metarril ® (Camargo et al, ), respectively. Furthermore, toxic secondary metabolites such as detruxins, beauvericin, and bassiacridin isolated from EPF showed promising results for the incorporation into pesticide formulations (Butt, Coates, Dubovskiy, & Ratcliffe, ; Samuels et al, ).…”

“…All EPF share a common process of infection. Briefly, an EPF adheres to insect cuticle via its conidia through expression hydrophobin and adhesin; proteins that facilitate the attachment of conidia to hydrophobic cuticle surface (Butt et al, ; Samuels et al, ). Next, it penetrates through cuticular layer of insect exoskeleton by releasing chitin‐degrading enzymes and hydrolytic enzymes (Butt et al, ; Samuels et al, ).…”

“…Briefly, an EPF adheres to insect cuticle via its conidia through expression hydrophobin and adhesin; proteins that facilitate the attachment of conidia to hydrophobic cuticle surface (Butt et al, ; Samuels et al, ). Next, it penetrates through cuticular layer of insect exoskeleton by releasing chitin‐degrading enzymes and hydrolytic enzymes (Butt et al, ; Samuels et al, ). Finally, upon reaching hemocoel, EPF will propagate rapidly, shifting its metabolic processes in favor of increased nutrient metabolism whilst releasing factors that suppress the insect host immune activation (Butt et al, ; Samuels et al, ).…”

“…Next, it penetrates through cuticular layer of insect exoskeleton by releasing chitin‐degrading enzymes and hydrolytic enzymes (Butt et al, ; Samuels et al, ). Finally, upon reaching hemocoel, EPF will propagate rapidly, shifting its metabolic processes in favor of increased nutrient metabolism whilst releasing factors that suppress the insect host immune activation (Butt et al, ; Samuels et al, ).…”

Improving the delivery and efficiency of fungus-impregnated cloths for control of adult Aedes aegypti using a synthetic attractive lure

“…The deployment of biological control agents such as entomopathogenic fungi is an important alternative or complement to conventional control methods. Many studies have shown the potential of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of insect vectors [ 4 – 6 ]. One of the main advantages of using entomopathogenic fungi against insect pests and vectors is that these fungi can infect all stages of the insects’ life-cycle, from egg to adult [ 7 – 9 ].…”