Can fungal biopesticides control malaria?
Recent research has raised the prospect of using insect fungal pathogens for the control of vector-borne diseases such as malaria. In the past, microbial control of insect pests in both medical and agricultural sectors has generally had limited success. We propose that it might now be possible to produce a cheap, safe and green tool for the control of malaria, which, in contrast to most chemical insecticides, will not eventually be rendered useless by evolution of resistance. Realizing this potential will require lateral thinking by biologists, technologists and development agencies.
Thomas
Matthew B
MB
CSIRO Entomology, GPO BOX 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. matthew.thomas@csiro.au
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Andrew F
AF
D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000382:microbiology*; D052982:Beauveria / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000382:microbiology*; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D052981:Metarhizium / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*