Lethal effects of Gliocladium virens, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on the malaria vector Anopheles albimanus (Diptera: Culicidae)

• Published in: Biocontrol science and technology 2013-09, Vol.23 (9), p.1098-1109
• Main Authors: Vazquez-Martinez, M G, Rodriguez-Meneses, A, Rodriguez, AD, Rodriguez, M H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anopheles albimanus; Beauveria bassiana; biological control; Culicidae; Diptera; entomopathogenic fungi; Gliocladium virens; Metarhizium anisopliae; mosquitoes
• ISSN: 0958-3157; 1360-0478
• DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2013.822470

Control of Anopheles albimanus, the main vector of malaria on the coast of the State of Chiapas, is based mainly on application of chemical insecticides, which has resulted in resistance to most registered insecticides. Strategies for biological control may provide sustainable alternatives. We report on the lethal effects of a native isolate of Gliocladium virens on An. albimanus larvae and adults, compared to that of strains of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Conidial suspensions of G. virens, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae cultured on Sabouraud agar were tested in bioassays with An. albimanus larvae and adults. Mosquito larvae were more susceptible to all fungi, compared to adults. On early and late instar larvae, M. anisopliae showed the most pathogenic effect (LC 50 of 1.4×10 5 conidia/mL in early instars; 1.1×10 5 conidia/mL in late instars), followed by G. virens (LC 50 of 3.3×10 5 conidia/mL in early instars and 3.5×10 6 conidia/mL in late instars). Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato and the native G. virens could be considered good choices for An. albimanus control in southern Mexico.