Infection of malaria (Anopheles gambiae s.s.) and filariasis (Culex quinquefasciatus) vectors with the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae.
BACKGROUND
Current intra-domiciliary vector control depends on the application of residual insecticides and/or repellents. Although biological control agents have been developed against aquatic mosquito stages, none are available for adults. Following successful use of an entomopathogenic fungus against tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) we investigated the potency of this fungus as a biological control agent for adult malaria and filariasis vector mosquitoes.


METHODS
In the laboratory, both sexes of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and Culex quinquefasciatus were passively contaminated with dry conidia of Metarhizium anisopliae. Pathogenicity of this fungus for An. gambiae was further tested for varying exposure times and different doses of oil-formulated conidia.


RESULTS
Comparison of Gompertz survival curves and LT50 values for treated and untreated specimens showed that, for both species, infected mosquitoes died significantly earlier (p < 0.0001) than uninfected control groups. No differences in LT50 values were found for different exposure times (24, 48 hrs or continuous exposure) of An. gambiae to dry conidia. Exposure to oil-formulated conidia (doses ranging from 1.6 x 10(7) to 1.6 x 10(10) conidia/m2) gave LT50 values of 9.69 +/- 1.24 (lowest dose) to 5.89 +/- 0.35 days (highest dose), with infection percentages ranging from 4.4-83.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study marks the first to use an entomopathogenic fungus against adult Afrotropical disease vectors. Given its high pathogenicity for both adult Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes we recommend development of novel targeted indoor application methods for the control of endophagic host-seeking females.
Scholte
Ernst-Jan
EJ
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research Centre, PO Box 8031, 6700 EH, Wageningen, the Netherlands. ErnstJan.Scholte@wur.nl
Njiru
Basilio N
BN
Smallegange
Renate C
RC
Takken
Willem
W
Knols
Bart G J
BG
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000382:microbiology*; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D003465:Culex / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006999:Hypocreales / Q000502:physiology*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000382:microbiology; D008288:Malaria / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors; D013534:Survival; D013997:Time Factors