Entomopathogenic organisms: conceptual advances and real-world applications for mosquito biological control

Abstract

Recently, advances have been made in the use of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of not only crop pests but also disease vectoring insects. New approaches, for example, combining control strategies such as the application of conventional insecticides and biological control agents together, are highly promising, especially as many insecticides are compatible with entomopathogenic fungi. In this review, we discuss some of the new approaches being developed for vector control. Governmental authorities must implement rational integrated vector management programs for reducing deaths and suffering caused by insect-vectored diseases. Although there are now many alternatives to conventional chemical control methods, the use of pesticides is still the mainstay of mosquito control measures. However, mosquitoes are rapidly developing resistance to the chemical insecticides in use at the moment. The deployment of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of all stages of the mosquito life cycle is an alternative strategy currently being investigated by many different research groups. It has been shown that entomopathogenic fungi can efficiently kill mosquito larvae and adults in laboratory and field conditions. However, an important aspect of this new approach is how to apply these biological control agents economically and efficiently. By using combinations of control agents and novel application systems, it may be possible to significantly reduce mosquito populations to levels at which epidemics of malaria, dengue fever, zika virus, and chikungunya do not occur. Keywords: