Optimizing the Application Timing and Dosage of Metarhizium brunneum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) as a Biological Control Agent of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae

Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the principal vector of dengue and other viruses that cause disease among 100 to 400 million people each year. The recent development of widespread insecticidal resistance has led to the rapid development of biological control solutions aimed at larval control....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of medical entomology 2023-03, Vol.60 (2), p.339-345
Main Authors: Alkhaibari, A. M., Wood, M. J., Yavasoglu, S.I., Bull, J. C., Butt, T. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aedes
Aedes aegypti
Animals
Biological Control Agents - pharmacology
control
dynamics
Hypocreales
Larva
larvae
Metarhizium
Metarhizium brunneum
Mosquito Vectors
Pest Control, Biological
Spores, Fungal
VECTOR CONTROL, PEST MANAGEMENT, RESISTANCE, REPELLENTS
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Summary:Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the principal vector of dengue and other viruses that cause disease among 100 to 400 million people each year. The recent development of widespread insecticidal resistance has led to the rapid development of biological control solutions aimed at larval control. While the efficacy of Metarhizium brunneum has been shown against Aedes larvae, the impact of larval population dynamics will need to be determined to formulate effective control strategies. In this study, larvae were subjected to four concentrations of M. brunneum (105, 106, 107, 108 conidia ml–1). Larvae were found to be susceptible to M. brunneum with dose-dependent efficacy. When constant larval immigration was added as a parameter, peak mortality was consistently found to occur on the fourth day, before a significant reduction in control efficacy linked to a decline in conidial availability within the water column. This suggests that M. brunneum treatments should be applied at a concentration 1 × 107 conidia ml–1 every four days to effectively control mosquito larvae in the field, regardless of the fungal formulation, water volume, or larval density. Understanding fungal-mosquito dynamics is critical in developing appropriate control programs as it helps optimize the fungal control agent's dose and frequency of application.
ISSN:0022-2585
1938-2928
DOI:10.1093/jme/tjac186