Research in mosquito control: current challenges for a brighter future

Abstract

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are a key threat for millions of people worldwide, since they act as vectors for devastating pathogens and parasites. In this scenario, vector control is crucial. Mosquito larvae are usually targeted using organophosphates, insect growth regulators, and microbial agents. Indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated bed nets are also employed. However, these chemicals have negative effects on human health and the environment and induce resistance in a number of vectors. Newer and safer tools have been recently implemented to enhance control of mosquitoes. Here, I focus on some crucial challenges about eco-friendly control of mosquito vectors, mainly the improvement of behavior-based control strategies (sterile insect technique ("SIT") and "boosted SIT") and plant-borne mosquitocidals, including green-synthesized nanoparticles. A number of hot areas that need further research and cooperation among parasitologists, entomologists, and behavioral ecologists are highlighted.

Declining malaria, rising of dengue and Zika virus: insights for mosquito vector control

“…Current prevention tools are represented by the employ of mosquito repellents (Amer and Mehlhorn 2006a, b;Mehlhorn et al 2005), light-coloured clothes covering as such of the body as possible, and sleeping under mosquito nets (Benelli 2015a). Concerning chemically derived repellents, the number of these products has been considerably reduced by the European Community.…”

“…Second, artemisininresistant Plasmodium has been detected, and the WHO Global Malaria Programme issues regular updates about the status of artemisinin resistance in affected countries (WHO 2015d). Third, a number of malaria prevention and control tools currently available are quite expensive, thus not readily available for poor and marginalized populations in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide (Benelli 2015a).…”

In vitro inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum early and late stage gametocyte viability by extracts from eight traditionally used South African plant species

“…While the benefits of adopting these measures have been evident (Bhatt et al, 2015), unfortunately so too has been the emergence of insecticide resistant mosquitoes (Benelli, 2015;Dai et al, 2015;Edi et al, 2012;Ranson et al, 2011) and drug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum parasites Dondorp et al, 2009;Tun et al, 2015). There is thus a dire need to advance the efficacy of these approaches with novel interventions, drugs and insecticides in the fight against this disease.…”

Eco-friendly drugs from the marine environment: spongeweed-synthesized silver nanoparticles are highly effective on Plasmodium falciparum and its vector Anopheles stephensi, with little non-target effects on predatory copepods

“…Arthropods are dangerous vectors of deadly pathogens and parasites (Mehlhorn et al 2012;Benelli 2015a). Among them, mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) represent a key threat for millions of humans and animals worldwide.…”

“…People entering into regions where dengue, malaria, or yellow fever risks exist may protect themselves by use of plant-derived repellents (Mehlhorn et al 2012;Amer and Mehlhorn 2006a, b). On the other hand, people living in endemic regions have to protect themselves by several strategies at the same time, since infection rates of mosquitoes may be extremely high (Amer and Mehlhorn 2006c, d;Semmler et al 2009;Benelli 2015a).…”