Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi Activity from the Fiocruz Amazônia Collection in Anopheles aquasalis Mosquitoes

TL;DR

This study tests fungi from the Amazon as a potential method to control malaria-carrying mosquitoes by reducing their survival rates.

Contribution

The study evaluates the entomopathogenic potential of Amazonian fungi against Anopheles aquasalis mosquitoes.

Findings

Exposure to Trichoderma harzianum and Penicillium citrinum reduced mosquito survival rates.

Scanning electron microscopy confirmed fungal development on mosquitoes after 48 hours.

Abstract

Malaria remains a public health issue across the world. Different methods have been analyzed to achieve this disease’s elimination, such as the vector control of Anopheles spp. Control strategies include the use of different classes of insecticides, although the accelerated evolution of vectors resistant to them makes the development of alternative control methods necessary. Therefore, entomopathogenic fungi have been considered to be promising biopesticides, given that they are safe for human beings and the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the entomopathogenic activity of fungi collected in the Amazon Rainforest against adult female Anopheles aquasalis mosquitoes. Females were exposed to four different species of fungi and observed daily to evaluate their survival rate. Also, fungi species’ behavior was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Those exposed to Trichoderma harzianum and Penicillium citrinum had their survival rate reduced. SEM confirmed the development of fungi on the mosquitoes after 48 h. The findings suggest that the entomopathogenic potential of the fungi used in this study should be considered, given the reduction in the survival rate of Anopheles aquasalis mosquitoes.

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