title: Effects of Beauveria bassiana on survival, blood-feeding success, and fecundity of Aedes aegypti in laboratory and semi-field conditions.
abstract: The fungus Beauveria bassiana reduces Aedes aegypti longevity in laboratory conditions, but effects on survival, blood-feeding behavior, and fecundity in realistic environmental conditions have not been tested. Adult, female Ae. aegypti infected with B. bassiana (FI-277) were monitored for blood-feeding success and fecundity in the laboratory. Fungal infection reduced mosquito-human contact by 30%. Fecundity was reduced by (mean ± SD) 29.3 ± 8.6 eggs per female per lifetime in the laboratory; egg batch size and viability were unaffected. Mosquito survival, blood-feeding behavior, and fecundity were also tested in 5 meter × 7 meter × 4 meter semi-field cages in northern Queensland, Australia. Fungal infection reduced mosquito survival in semi-field conditions by 59-95% in large cages compared with 61-69% in small cages. One semi-field cage trial demonstrated 80% reduction in blood-feeding; a second trial showed no significant effect. Infection did not affect fecundity in large cages. Beauveria bassiana can kill and may reduce biting of Ae. aegypti in semi-field conditions and in the laboratory. These results further support the use of B. bassiana as a potential biocontrol agent against Ae. aegypti.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia. jonathan.darbro@qimr.edu.au
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Darbro
authors.forename: Petrina H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Matthew B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: Brian H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D052982:Beauveria / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004199:Disease Vectors; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D011793:Queensland; D012098:Reproduction; D016019:Survival Analysis